Risch, Manchin Reintroduce Bipartisan International Nuclear Energy Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, reintroduced the International Nuclear Energy Act (INEA). Initially introduced in the 117th Congress, this bipartisan legislation promotes engagement with ally and partner nations to develop a civil nuclear export strategy and offset China and Russia’s growing influence on international nuclear energy development.

“As Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its second year, more and more countries are looking to reduce energy dependence on Russia and turn towards nuclear energy to meet their energy security needs,” said Ranking Member Risch. “This legislation will help the United States export new and advanced nuclear technologies like small modular and micro-reactors to help our partners meet their energy needs. I hope my Senate colleagues will join me in once again in supporting this important legislation.”

“The United States of America, the world’s superpower, cannot afford to sit back and allow China and Russia to continue their dominance over the world’s nuclear energy supply chain. This bipartisan legislation recognizes that it is past time for the U.S. and our allies to work together to promote a strategy for civil nuclear exports that helps offset China and Russia’s influence while enhancing our energy security. The U.S., our friends, and allies are more than capable of working together on this issue, and I look forward to working with Senator Risch to ensure that this vital legislation becomes law,” said Chairman Manchin.

The International Nuclear Energy Act would:

• Support the establishment of an office to coordinate civil nuclear exports strategy; establish financing relationships; promote regulatory harmonization; enhance safeguards and security; promote standardization of licensing framework; and create a nuclear exports working group.
• Create programs to facilitate international nuclear energy cooperation to develop financing relationships, training, education, market analysis, safety, security, safeguards and nuclear governance required for a civil nuclear program.
• Require a cabinet-level biennial summit focused on nuclear safety, security, and safeguards, and to enhance cooperative relationships between private industry and government.
• Establish a Strategic Infrastructure Fund Working Group to determine how to best structure a Fund to finance projects critical to national security.

Full text of the International Nuclear Energy Act can be found here.

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