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S. 2082Senate119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Nuclear REFUEL Act of 2025

A bill to amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify the definition of "production facility" to exclude an equipment or device capable of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel in a manner that does not separate plutonium from other transuranic elements.

Also known as Nuclear Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing Act of 2025

Sponsored by Jon HustedSen. Jon Husted (R-OH)
Introduced June 12, 2025

AI-Generated Summary

Updated November 23, 2025 at 11:59 PM UTC

The Nuclear REFUEL Act of 2025 changes the legal definition of a “production facility” under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954. By adding a provision that excludes certain spent‑fuel reprocessing equipment—specifically, equipment that does not separate plutonium—the bill aims to create a regulatory carve‑out for these types of facilities. This adjustment could affect how the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses and oversees nuclear fuel‑recycling operations.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the Atomic Energy Act’s definition of “production facility” to add a new category (B) that excludes any equipment or device that can reprocess spent nuclear fuel as long as it does not separate plutonium from other transuranic elements.
  • Keeps the existing exclusion for activities that separate uranium isotopes or enrich uranium‑235, but adds the new reprocessing exclusion alongside it.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions
SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 224.

October 29, 2025

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

June 12, 2025

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Environment and Public Works Committee

June 12, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Environment and Public Works Committee

October 29, 2025

SenateCommittee

Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Capito without amendment. Without written report.

Environment and Public Works Committee

October 29, 2025

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 224.

October 29, 2025

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued October 29, 2025

II

Calendar No. 224

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 2082

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

June 12, 2025

Mr. Husted (for himself and Mr. Whitehouse) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works

October 29, 2025

Reported by Mrs. Capito, without amendment

A BILL

To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify the definition of production facility to exclude an equipment or device capable of reprocessing spent nuclear fuel in a manner that does not separate plutonium from other transuranic elements.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Nuclear Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing Act of 2025 or the Nuclear REFUEL Act of 2025.

2.

Exclusion from definition of production facility

Section 11 v. of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014(v)) is amended, in the second sentence, by striking separating the isotopes of uranium or enriching uranium in the isotope 235 and inserting (A) separating isotopes of uranium or enriching uranium in the isotope 235; or (B) reprocessing spent nuclear fuel in a manner that does not separate plutonium from other transuranic elements.

October 29, 2025

Reported without amendment