Bill · S. 5249· Senate(119-S-5249)
MORE American Fuel Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 8/5/2026
- Last activity
- 10/5/2026 — Held at the desk.
- Sponsored by
- Mark Kelly
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 2
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Awaiting House
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Modernizing Outdated Regulations to Expand American Fuel Act of 2026, or the MORE American Fuel Act of 2026. It amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to align the licensing of uranium enrichment facilities with other fuel cycle facilities. The legislation removes references to facility construction from specific licensing and hearing requirements. It allows for the pre-license construction of a uranium enrichment facility under certain conditions and at the applicant's own risk. Additionally, the bill requires applicants to notify state, local, and Tribal officials before starting construction and directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to issue updated regulations.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+3
The bill provides significant regulatory relief and speed to energy industry applicants via pre-license construction.
Is this likely to create jobs?+2
By streamlining the licensing and construction process for uranium enrichment, the bill may facilitate industrial expansion and job growth in that sector.
Is this likely to grow the economy?+2
The bill aims to expand American fuel capacity, which can contribute to long-term economic and energy security growth.
The opposite
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-2
The bill's emphasis on pre-license construction and streamlined hearings may reduce the rigor of environmental oversight during the initial stages.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-1
By streamlining the federal licensing process, the bill reduces some of the local/state-level control over the construction phase.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-1
The change from a mandatory single adjudicatory hearing to a hearing upon request may reduce the procedural certainty for intervenors.
How the text last changed
Engrossed in Senate (9/30/2026), compared with Reported to Senate. Each change is on the Text tab.
Only the wording changed; what the bill would do is the same.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 2(b) requires an applicant to submit a written notification at least 15 days before commencing construction to the governor of the state, local government chief executives and governing bodies, and the governing body of certain Indian Tribes with offsite response organizations. This keeps local leaders informed of upcoming construction activities in their areas.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2(a) allows for the pre-license construction of a uranium enrichment facility prior to the issuance of an operating license, entirely at the risk of the applicant, provided that construction commences after the application is docketed and complies with federal laws. Because construction can happen before a license is granted, individuals and communities face potential construction activities before the final operating license is approved.
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 Business Owners+3Good For Native Americans+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2Increases Job Creation+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections-2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1Increases Federal Power+1Improves Due Process-1Increase States Rights-1
The version one chamber actually passed
What changed from Reported to Senate
Only the wording changed; what the bill would do is the same.
Written by an AI model from a comparison of this version’s text with the one before it, not by a person. .
- 10/5/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 9/30/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5295-5296; text: CR S5295-5296)
- 9/16/2026
- Committee on Environment and Public Works. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Committee on Environment and Public Works. Reported by Senator Capito with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 621.
- 9/15/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 8/5/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Marsha BlackburnRepublican · Tennessee
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
Cynthia LummisRepublican · Wyoming