Bill · S. 5233· Senate(119-S-5233)
Jobs, Not Waste Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 8/4/2026
- Last activity
- 8/4/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Sponsored by
- Jacky Rosen
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, titled the "Jobs, Not Waste Act of 2026," aims to end the licensing process for a repository at the Yucca Mountain site. It repeals specific provisions of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and Public Law 107-200. Upon enactment, the Secretary of Energy's application for construction authorization at Yucca Mountain is withdrawn, and the Commission's licensing proceeding is terminated. Additionally, the Secretary is prohibited from considering the Yucca Mountain site for a repository in the future. The bill also requires the Secretary to reclaim the site and mitigate environmental impacts from previous activities. Finally, it directs the Office of Management and Budget to study the economic and job-creating potential of alternative uses for the site.
Yes· 3 of 7
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+5
The bill mandates land reclamation and environmental mitigation for the Yucca Mountain site.
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+4
The bill requires the mitigation of adverse environmental impacts and site reclamation.
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+3
The bill directs a study into the development of renewable energy at the site.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Environmental Mitigation: The Secretary must take reasonable steps to mitigate significant adverse environmental impacts caused by site characterization and related activities (Section 3(d)(2)).
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Site Reclamation: The Secretary is required to reclaim the Yucca Mountain site as soon as practicable (Section 3(d)(1)).
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Economic Opportunity Study: The Director of the Office of Management and Budget must submit a study regarding the economic viability and job-creating benefits of using the site for alternative purposes (Section 4).
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Alternative Use Development: The study will specifically look into the benefits of using the site for defense activities, such as a command facility for unmanned aircraft systems, the development of renewable energy sources, and scientific research (Section 4).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Termination of Repository Progress: The bill terminates the Commission's licensing proceeding for the proposed repository at the Yucca Mountain site and withdraws the Secretary's application for construction authorization (Section 3(b)).
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Permanent Prohibition of Site Use: The Secretary is prohibited from considering or reconsidering the Yucca Mountain site for the location of a repository moving forward (Section 3(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Public Land Management+5Improves Environmental Protections+4Increases Renewable Energy Investment+3
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+3Improves Economic Growth+2
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+1
- Healthcare
- Increases Research Funding+1
- 8/4/2026
- 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.
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada