Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2813

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Energy

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-10: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.

Last Updated

2026-06-11T05:06:22Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025 aims to advance the development, deployment, and manufacturing of small modular reactors (SMRs), which are smaller, factory-built nuclear power plants. It updates outdated size limits for these reactors, ensures fair access to federal funding, and creates a federal working group to boost U.S. competitiveness in SMR technology globally.

Key Provisions

• Updated Definitions (Section 7): Defines key terms, including:
• Advanced nuclear reactor: A next-generation nuclear technology with improved safety and efficiency features.
• Microreactor: An advanced nuclear reactor producing less than 50 electrical megawatts (MW) of power.
• Small modular reactor (SMR): An advanced nuclear reactor producing less than 500 electrical MW, designed to be built and operated in groups at one site.
• Threshold Adjustments for SMRs (Sections 2 and 3): Increases the maximum electrical output limit for SMRs from 300 MW to 500 MW in two existing laws (the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act). This also raises the combined capacity limit for multiple units at a site from 1,300 MW to 1,500 MW.
• Guidance Revisions (Section 4): Requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC, the federal agency overseeing nuclear safety) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to update their rules and advice on SMR and microreactor power limits to match the new definitions.
• Funding Eligibility (Section 5): Ensures that DOE funding programs for developing, testing, or deploying grid-connected SMRs do not exclude projects based on a single reactor's output between 50 and 500 electrical MW. This applies to new, more efficient designs without affecting ongoing DOE programs.
• Working Group Establishment (Section 6): Creates the "Small Modular Reactor Commercialization and Industrialization Competitiveness Working Group," led by the DOE Secretary. Duties include:
• Identifying approved SMR designs (from U.S. or compatible foreign regulators).
• Recommending ways to make the U.S. the top location for commercializing and manufacturing SMRs.
• Suggesting policies to bring SMR production back to the U.S. if first built abroad.
• Improving workforce training for large-scale SMR rollout.
• Identifying research to lower SMR production costs after initial builds.
• Membership: Mandatory representatives from DOE (including its Nuclear Energy office and national labs), Departments of Defense, State, Commerce, Interior, and Treasury, plus the NRC; additional members as needed by DOE.
• Reporting: Annual reports to key congressional committees through 2030 on findings and recommendations.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Higher Power Thresholds: Expands the size range for what qualifies as an SMR under federal law, allowing larger but still modular designs to benefit from streamlined regulations and funding originally intended for smaller units. This modernizes rules from the 1954 Atomic Energy Act and the 2021 Infrastructure Act, which capped SMRs at 300 MW.
• Broader Funding Access: Removes arbitrary exclusions in DOE programs for SMRs over certain power levels (50–500 MW), promoting innovation in efficient designs without overriding pre-existing grant rules.
• New Coordination Mechanism: Introduces a multi-agency working group focused on commercialization, which did not exist before, to address manufacturing and competitiveness gaps.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: DOE and NRC face requirements to revise guidance and form the working group, potentially increasing coordination across departments like Defense and Commerce. This could streamline nuclear approvals but add administrative workload.
• On Citizens and Industry: May accelerate clean, reliable nuclear energy development, creating jobs in manufacturing and operations. Citizens could benefit from more affordable, scalable power options to meet energy demands and reduce emissions, though it depends on private investment.
• On International Relations: Positions the U.S. to attract global SMR manufacturing and investment, countering foreign leaders (e.g., in first-of-a-kind deployments abroad). It emphasizes cooperation with foreign regulators, potentially strengthening U.S. nuclear export leadership and supply chain security.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies: Primarily DOE and NRC for implementation; also Departments of Defense, State, Commerce, Interior, and Treasury for working group input.
• Nuclear Industry: Developers, manufacturers, and utilities seeking to build and deploy SMRs, gaining easier access to funding and clearer regulations.
• Workforce and Education: Workers in nuclear energy, engineering, and manufacturing, with recommendations for training to support scaled-up production.
• Congressional Committees: House Committees on Science, Space, and Technology and Energy and Commerce; Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, which will receive annual reports.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Amends foundational nuclear laws (e.g., Atomic Energy Act) to align with technological advances, ensuring regulations keep pace without needing new statutes. The funding provision uses "notwithstanding" language to override conflicting rules, but preserves existing program scopes to avoid legal challenges.
• Constitutional: Supports Congress's authority over energy policy and interstate commerce by promoting domestic industry and national security in clean energy, without raising separation-of-powers issues.
• Political: Advances U.S. energy independence and climate goals through nuclear innovation, potentially bridging bipartisan support for advanced tech. It highlights competitiveness against international rivals, which could influence trade and export policies, but focuses on domestic benefits without mandating controversial subsidies.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

Cosponsors (2)

Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-10: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
• 2025-04-10: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
• 2025-04-10: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-10: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-10 — PDF (7 pages)