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H.R. 6303House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

Strengthening American Nuclear Competitiveness Act

Sponsored by Bill JohnsonRep. Bill Johnson (R-OH)
Introduced November 8, 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 12:56 PM UTC

The Strengthening American Nuclear Competitiveness Act seeks to improve the United States’ nuclear industry by assessing its current competitiveness, speeding up export reviews, and updating licensing rules. It also expands licensing for foreign allies, addresses licensing for non‑electric nuclear uses, promotes advanced manufacturing, and extends the Price‑Anderson liability coverage. The bill affects the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, foreign nuclear entities, and the nuclear supply chain.

Key Provisions

  • DOE must deliver a detailed report on U.S. nuclear commerce within 180 days, including assessments, comparisons with key foreign nations, and recommendations, after consulting multiple federal agencies, industry, and stakeholders.
  • DOE, in consultation with State, must identify new factors for designating “generally authorized destination” countries for nuclear exports, update the determination process, and review the destination list at least every five years.
  • The NRC may issue licenses to foreign‑owned entities from OECD member countries or India for domestic nuclear projects if the license is not a threat to national security or public safety, overriding certain existing prohibitions.
  • The NRC must submit a report within one year on licensing issues for advanced reactors used in non‑electric applications (e.g., hydrogen production, desalination, heat, medical isotopes) and propose regulatory options.
  • The NRC must also report on advanced manufacturing and construction methods for nuclear projects, covering safety, cost, and regulatory guidance, with stakeholder input.
  • The Price‑Anderson Act is extended to December 31 2065 and the maximum nuclear incident liability is increased from $500 million to $2 billion.
  • The Comptroller General must assess the Energy Department’s risk‑pooling program under the Energy Independence and Security Act within one year and report to Congress.

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 8, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Energy and Commerce Committee

November 8, 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 8, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 6303

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 8, 2023

Mr. Johnson of Ohio introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To assess and improve the competitiveness of United States nuclear commerce, to expedite Department of Energy review of certain nuclear technology exports, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Strengthening American Nuclear Competitiveness Act.

2.

Competitiveness of nuclear commerce

(a)

Report

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall develop and submit to Congress a report on United States nuclear commerce.

(b)

Consultation

In developing the report required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Energy shall consult with—

(1)

the Secretary of State;

(2)

the Secretary of Commerce;

(3)

the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;

(4)

the Nuclear Regulatory Commission;

(5)

any other Federal agency or office the Secretary of Energy determines appropriate;

(6)

the nuclear energy industry;

(7)

nongovernmental nuclear policy organizations; and

(8)

other public stakeholders, as the Secretary of Energy determines appropriate.

(c)

Contents

The report required under subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

an assessment of—

(A)

legal and regulatory requirements and policies of, and commercial practices in, the United States with respect to the nuclear industry of the United States;

(B)

the effects of such practices on such nuclear industry in domestic and foreign commerce;

(C)

the role of emerging United States nuclear technologies and applications of such technologies, including nonelectric applications of those technologies, in domestic and foreign commerce; and

(D)

the effects of advanced manufacturing and construction methods for nuclear technologies on—

(i)

the costs for deployment of such technologies; and

(ii)

the competitiveness of the nuclear industry of the United States;

(2)

a comparison of the matters assessed in paragraph (1) with respect to the United States to an assessment of such matters as they apply with respect to foreign countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, and the Russian Federation;

(3)

recommendations to improve the competitiveness of United States nuclear commerce; and

(4)

recommendations relating to the applicability of section 170 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210) with respect to advanced nuclear technologies.

3.

Process for review and amendment of part 810 generally authorized destinations

(a)

Identification and evaluation of factors

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall identify and evaluate factors, other than agreements for cooperation entered into in accordance with section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2153), that may be used to determine a country’s generally authorized destination status under part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, and to list such country as a generally authorized destination in Appendix A to part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations.

(b)

Process update

The Secretary of Energy shall review and, as appropriate, update the Department of Energy’s process for determining a country’s generally authorized destination status under part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, and for listing such country as a generally authorized destination in Appendix A to part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, taking into consideration, and, as appropriate, incorporating factors identified and evaluated under subsection (a).

(c)

Revisions to list

Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, and at least once every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary of Energy shall, in accordance with any process updated pursuant to this section, review the list in Appendix A to part 810 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, and amend such list as appropriate.

4.

Licensing domestic nuclear projects in which United States allies invest

(a)

In general

The prohibitions against issuing certain licenses for utilization facilities to certain aliens, corporations, and other entities described in the second sentence of section 103 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2133(d)) and the second sentence of section 104 d. of that Act (42 U.S.C. 2134(d)) shall not apply to an entity described in subsection (b) of this section if the Nuclear Regulatory Commission determines that issuance of the applicable license to that entity is not inimical to—

(1)

the common defense and security; or

(2)

the health and safety of the public.

(b)

Entities described

(1)

In general

An entity referred to in subsection (a) is an alien, corporation, or other entity that is owned, controlled, or dominated by—

(A)

the government of—

(i)

a country, other than a country described in paragraph (2), that is a member of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development on the date of enactment of this Act; or

(ii)

the Republic of India;

(B)

a corporation that is incorporated in a country described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A); or

(C)

an alien who is a citizen or national of a country described in clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A).

(2)

Exclusion

A country described in this paragraph is a country—

(A)

any department, agency, or instrumentality of the government of which, on the date of enactment of this Act, is subject to sanctions under section 231 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9525); or

(B)

any citizen, national, or entity of which, as of the date of enactment of this Act, is included on the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury pursuant to sanctions imposed under section 231 of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (22 U.S.C. 9525).

(c)

Technical amendment

Section 103 d. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2133(d)) is amended, in the second sentence, by striking any any and inserting any.

(d)

Savings clause

Nothing in this section affects the requirements of section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4565).

5.

Licensing considerations relating to use of nuclear energy for nonelectric applications

(a)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (in this section referred to as the Commission) shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report addressing any unique licensing issues or requirements relating to—

(1)

the flexible operation of advanced nuclear reactors, such as ramping power output and switching between electricity generation and nonelectric applications;

(2)

the use of advanced nuclear reactors exclusively for nonelectric applications; and

(3)

the collocation of advanced nuclear reactors with industrial plants or other facilities.

(b)

Stakeholder input

In developing the report under subsection (a), the Commission shall seek input from—

(1)

the Secretary of Energy;

(2)

the nuclear energy industry;

(3)

technology developers;

(4)

the industrial, chemical, and medical sectors;

(5)

nongovernmental organizations; and

(6)

other public stakeholders.

(c)

Contents

The report under subsection (a) shall describe—

(1)

any unique licensing issues or requirements relating to the matters described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a), including, with respect to the nonelectric applications referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of that subsection, any licensing issues or requirements relating to the use of nuclear energy—

(A)

for hydrogen or other liquid and gaseous fuel or chemical production;

(B)

for water desalination and wastewater treatment;

(C)

for heat used in industrial processes;

(D)

for district heating;

(E)

in relation to energy storage;

(F)

for industrial or medical isotope production; and

(G)

other applications, as identified by the Commission;

(2)

options for addressing such issues or requirements—

(A)

within the existing regulatory framework;

(B)

through the technology-inclusive, regulatory framework to be established under section 103(a)(4) of the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (42 U.S.C. 2133 note; Public Law 115–439); or

(C)

through a new rulemaking;

(3)

the extent to which Commission action is needed to implement any matter described in the report; and

(4)

cost estimates, proposed budgets, and proposed timeframes for implementing risk-informed and performance-based regulatory guidance for licensing advanced nuclear reactors for nonelectric applications.

6.

Report on advanced methods of manufacturing and construction for nuclear energy projects

(a)

In general

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (in this section referred to as the Commission) shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on advanced methods of manufacturing and construction for nuclear energy projects.

(b)

Stakeholder input

In developing the report under subsection (a), the Commission shall seek input from—

(1)

the Secretary of Energy;

(2)

the nuclear energy industry;

(3)

the National Laboratories;

(4)

institutions of higher education;

(5)

nuclear and manufacturing technology developers;

(6)

the manufacturing and construction industries;

(7)

standards development organizations;

(8)

labor unions;

(9)

nongovernmental organizations; and

(10)

other public stakeholders.

(c)

Contents

(1)

In general

The report under subsection (a) shall—

(A)

examine any unique licensing issues or requirements relating to the use, for nuclear energy projects, of—

(i)

advanced manufacturing techniques; and

(ii)

advanced construction techniques;

(B)

examine—

(i)

the requirements for nuclear-grade components in manufacturing and construction for nuclear energy projects;

(ii)

opportunities to use standard materials, parts, or components in manufacturing and construction for nuclear energy applications; and

(iii)

opportunities to use standard materials that are in compliance with existing codes and standards to provide acceptable approaches to support or encapsulate new materials that do not yet have applicable codes or standards;

(C)

identify safety aspects of advanced manufacturing processes and advanced construction techniques that are not addressed by existing codes and standards, so that generic guidance for nuclear energy projects may be updated or created as necessary by the Commission;

(D)

identify options for addressing the issues, requirements, and opportunities examined under subparagraphs (A) and (B)—

(i)

within the existing regulatory framework; or

(ii)

through a new rulemaking; and

(E)

describe the extent to which Commission action is needed to implement any matter described in the report.

(2)

Cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes

The report under subsection (a) shall include cost estimates, proposed budgets, and proposed timeframes for implementing risk-informed and performance-based regulatory guidance for advanced manufacturing and construction for nuclear energy projects.

7.

Extension of the Price-Anderson Act

(a)

Extension

Section 170 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210) (commonly known as the Price-Anderson Act) is amended by striking December 31, 2025 each place it appears and inserting December 31, 2065.

(b)

Liability

Section 170 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210) (commonly known as the Price-Anderson Act) is amended—

(1)

in subsection d. (5), by striking $500,000,000 and inserting $2,000,000,000; and

(2)

in subsection e. (4), by striking $500,000,000 and inserting $2,000,000,000.

(c)

Report

Section 170 p. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2210(p)) (commonly known as the Price-Anderson Act) is amended by striking December 31, 2021 and inserting December 31, 2061.

(d)

Definition of nuclear incident

Section 11 q. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014(q)) is amended, in the second proviso, by striking if such occurrence and all that follows through United States: and inserting a colon.

8.

Risk pooling program assessment

(a)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall carry out a review of, and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report on, the Secretary of Energy’s actions with respect to the program described in section 934(e) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17373(e)).

(b)

Contents

The report described in subsection (a) shall include—

(1)

an evaluation of the Secretary of Energy’s actions to determine the risk-informed assessment formula under section 934(e)(2)(C) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (42 U.S.C. 17373(e)(2)(C)); and

(2)

a review of the Secretary of Energy’s methodology to collect information to determine and implement the formula.