Bill · S. 101· Senate(119-S-101)
Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act
- Introduced
- 1/15/2025
- Last activity
- 1/15/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Catherine Cortez Masto
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act requires the Secretary of Energy to follow new rules before spending money from the Nuclear Waste Fund on a nuclear waste repository. Under this bill, the Secretary cannot spend funds for specific repository activities without entering into formal agreements with certain local entities. These agreements must involve the Governor of the State where the repository is proposed. Additionally, the Secretary must reach agreements with affected units of local government and any contiguous local governments that will see waste transported through them. Finally, agreements must also be made with each affected Indian tribe.
Yes· 3 of 5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?+5
The bill mandates that the Secretary obtain formal, binding agreements with affected Indian tribes before spending waste fund money.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?+5
The bill empowers State Governors and local governments to withhold consent for federal expenditures related to nuclear waste repositories.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+4
The bill enhances local oversight and consent requirements for the permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?-2
The bill limits the Secretary's ability to spend Nuclear Waste Fund money until specific consent agreements are reached.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Local Control: The bill requires the Secretary of Energy to enter into formal, binding agreements with local leaders before spending money on a repository (Section 3(a)). This ensures that State Governors, local governments, and Indian tribes have a say in how nuclear waste is handled in their communities.
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Protection for Transported Areas: The act requires agreements with local governments that are contiguous to the repository site if waste is being moved through them (Section 3(a)(3)). This provides a mechanism for people living along transportation routes to have their voices heard regarding the movement of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste.
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Stability Through Binding Agreements: By requiring that agreements be in writing, signed, and binding (Section 3(b)), the bill ensures that once an agreement is reached, it cannot be easily changed or taken away without everyone agreeing to it (Section 3(b)(2) and (3)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Specific Negative Impacts Identified: The provided text focuses on the requirements for consent and the conditions of agreements, but it does not list specific negative consequences or burdens for any group of people.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Native Americans+5Good For Rural Residents+3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increase States Rights+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+3
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending-2
- 1/15/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada