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H.R. 6236House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act

To streamline nuclear technology regulatory permitting and licensing, and for other purposes.

Sponsored by Rick W. AllenRep. Rick W. Allen (R-GA)
Introduced November 6, 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 12:49 PM UTC

The Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act seeks to speed up and make more predictable the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s licensing and permitting process for nuclear facilities. It also adds regular performance reviews, clarifies that fusion reactors are excluded from certain advanced reactor definitions, and updates technical licensing language for utilization facilities.

Key Provisions

  • Requires the NRC to provide efficient, timely, and predictable reviews for granting, suspending, revoking, or amending any nuclear license, construction permit, or related rulemaking.
  • Allows the NRC to use existing licensing information when reviewing applications for new production or utilization facilities at sites already licensed, to the extent practicable.
  • Sets a performance‑metric review at least every three years and shortens the target review timeline from 180 to 90 days, with revisions after each review to improve efficiency.
  • Specifies that an applicant for a nuclear fusion reactor is not considered an “advanced nuclear reactor applicant” under the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act.
  • Amends technical licensing provisions for utilization facilities, limiting the percentage of annual costs that can be devoted to selling non‑energy services, energy, or a combination, and clarines regulatory language.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.

Energy Subcommittee

November 10, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 6, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

November 6, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.

Energy Subcommittee

November 10, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued November 6, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 6236

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 6, 2023

Mr. Allen introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To streamline nuclear technology regulatory permitting and licensing, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Nuclear Licensing Efficiency Act.

2.

Efficient licensing reviews

(a)

General

Section 181 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2231) is amended—

(1)

by striking The provisions of and inserting the following:

(a)

The provisions of

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(b)

Consistent with the declaration in section 1, the Commission shall provide for efficient, timely, and predictable reviews and proceedings for the granting, suspending, revoking, or amending of any license or construction permit, or application to transfer control, and in any proceeding for the issuance or modification of rules and regulations dealing with the activities of licenses.

.

(b)

Construction Permits and Operating Licenses

Section 185 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2235) is amended by adding at the end the following:

c.

Application reviews for production and utilization facilities of an existing site

In reviewing an application for an early site permit, construction permit, operating license, or combined construction permit and operating license for a production facility or utilization facility located at the site of a production facility or utilization facility licensed by the Commission, the Commission shall, to the extent practicable, use information that was part of the licensing basis of the licensed production facility or utilization facility.

.

3.

Performance metrics and milestones

Section 102(c) of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2215(c)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (3)—

(A)

in the paragraph heading, by striking 180 and inserting 90; and

(B)

by striking 180 and inserting 90; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(4)

Periodic updates to metrics and schedules

(A)

Review and assessment

Not less frequently than once every 3 years, the Commission shall review and assess, based on the licensing and regulatory activities of the Commission, the performance metrics and milestone schedules developed under paragraph (1).

(B)

Revisions

After each review and assessment under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall revise, as appropriate, the performance metrics and milestone schedules developed under paragraph (1) to provide the most efficient performance metrics and milestone schedules reasonably achievable.

.

4.

Clarification on fusion regulation

Section 103(a)(4) of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2133 note; Public Law 115–439) is amended—

(1)

by striking Not later and inserting the following:

(A)

In general

Not later

; and

(2)

by adding at the end the following:

(B)

Exclusion of fusion reactors

Notwithstanding section 3(1), for purposes of subparagraph (A), the term advanced nuclear reactor applicant does not include an applicant for a license for a nuclear fusion reactor.

.

5.

Technical correction

Section 104 c. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2134(c)) is amended—

(1)

by striking the third sentence and inserting the following:

(3)

Limitation on utilization facilities

The Commission may issue a license under this section for a utilization facility useful in the conduct of research and development activities of the types specified in section 31 if—

(A)

not more than 75 percent of the annual costs to the licensee of owning and operating the facility are devoted to the sale, other than for research and development or education and training, of—

(i)

nonenergy services;

(ii)

energy; or

(iii)

a combination of nonenergy services and energy; and

(B)

not more than 50 percent of the annual costs to the licensee of owning and operating the facility are devoted to the sale of energy.

;

(2)

in the second sentence, by striking The Commission and inserting the following:

(2)

Regulation

The Commission

; and

(3)

by striking c. The Commission and inserting the following:

c. Research and development activities.

(1)

In general

Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Commission

.