Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (9 Nov 2026): Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
What this bill does
The Nuclear REFUEL Act would direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to license future facilities that reprocess certain spent nuclear fuel under regulations for special nuclear material. This change would apply to domestic facilities reprocessing spent nuclear fuel in a way that does not isolate plutonium, with the goal of reusing these materials for nuclear fuel.
This bill affects potential future operators of these specific types of reprocessing facilities. By excluding them from the definition of "production facility," the bill aims to streamline the licensing process. The existing process for production and utilization facilities involves more steps than the process for special nuclear material.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in June 2025 and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. A recent action shows a motion to reconsider was laid on the table, agreed to without objection. The status beyond this stage in the legislative process is not supplied.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
The following analysis is based on draft bill text that was made available by the House of Representatives and may differ from the bill text as introduced.
Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act
This bill directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to license future recycling facilities that reprocess certain spent nuclear fuel (i.e., radioactive waste) under regulations for special nuclear material rather than regulations for production and utilization facilities. The bill applies to domestic facilities that reprocess spent nuclear fuel in a manner that does not isolate plutonium. Generally, such recycling facilities reprocess spent nuclear fuel into materials that may be reused as nuclear fuel for electricity.
While there are no commercial reprocessing facilities currently operating in the United States, the bill specifies which regulatory framework the NRC must use when issuing licenses to future facilities by excluding such facilities from the statutory definition of production facility. The licensing process under regulations for special nuclear material has fewer steps than the licensing process under regulations for production and utilization facilities.
Timeline
9 Nov 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3978 do?
- The Nuclear REFUEL Act would direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to license future facilities that reprocess certain spent nuclear fuel under regulations for special nuclear material. This change would apply to domestic facilities reprocessing spent nuclear fuel in a way that does not isolate plutonium, with the goal of reusing these materials for nuclear fuel. This bill affects potential future operators of these specific types of reprocessing facilities. By excluding them from the definition of "production facility," the bill aims to streamline the licensing process. The existing process for production and utilization facilities involves more steps than the process for special nuclear material. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives in June 2025 and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce. A recent action shows a motion to reconsider was laid on the table, agreed to without objection. The status beyond this stage in the legislative process is not supplied.
- Has H.R. 3978 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 3978. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3978?
- H.R. 3978 was sponsored by Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5] (R-OH), with 28 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3978?
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. (9 Nov 2026).
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