FULL NUCLEAR ENERGY TAX CREDITS UNTIL 2033 RETAINED IN SENATE'S VERSION OF THE RECONCILIATION BILL
The House passed its budget reconciliation megabill, H.R. 1, in May with steep cuts to the clean energy tax credits that had been enacted under Democrats’ signature climate law,
the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Senate Republicans, however, pledged to moderate those cuts, particularly for the phase-out timelines for investment and production tax credits, as well as credit monetization restrictions and the strict requirements related to projects’ links to
“foreign entities of concern,” such as China. The Senate Finance Committee title released this week would modify the House bill to extend lifelines for sources like geothermal and nuclear power, but still contains quicker phase outs for wind and
solar technologies than set out in the IRA. Republican lawmakers are racing to get the reconciliation bill to President Donald Trump’s desk by the July 4 recess, putting Senate Republican leaders under pressure to quickly pass a bill that will pass muster with the House. Overall IRA policies are softened, aiming for a smaller savings
number from this package (closer to $400 billion than $500 billion). Energy storage and batteries are generally in a more favorable position. Phase-downs for the overall wind and solar credits begin sooner than the House, but with significantly fewer limitations while in existence; The Senate bill would extend technology-neutral production and investment tax credits for geothermal, hydropower and nuclear to
projects that begin construction by 2033. Those technologies can fully access the IRA's credits if they begin construction by 2033 — with the value phasing down to its sunset in 2036. Credit transferability is generally maintained (in contrast to its repeal in the House bill), except for transfers to specified foreign entities; Solar and wind power, whose tax credits phase down more quickly for projects that begin construction this year before being fully eliminated by 2028 — the end of Trump's term. Solar and wind projects that commence construction in 2025 receive full credit, 2026 receive 60 percent of the IRA credit and projects that begin construction in 2027 receive 20 percent of the credit.
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION CHAIR DAVID WRIGHT RENOMINATED TO NEW TERM
On Monday (6/16) the White House renominated the current Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), David Wright, to a new term that would extend until June of 2030. His nomination has been sent to the Senate, where no formal announcement has yet been made. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will be responsible for scheduling Wright’s hearing. The NRC will need experienced leadership in place to undertake a comprehensive review of its reactor licensing processes, which were mandated in an Executive Order (EO), “Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission”, just last month (May 23, 2025). The EO directs the NRC, working with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to make a “wholesale revision” of its licensing regulations;
issue proposed new rules within nine months to implement the review; and issue final rules within 18 months. President Donald Trump directed that the new policies must include fixed deadlines for the evaluation and approval of licenses and all other commission actions on proposed reactor operating licenses. Wright delivered remarks at the ECA Forum: Moving New Nuclear Projects Forward in April, where he affirmed his support for the ADVANCE Act. Reforming the NRC to align with provisions laid out in the act is one of his top priorities as Chair, and would entail streamlining the advanced reactor permitting process and reducing licensing fees charged to
developers. During his remarks he said: “The NRC must advance, enable, the secure the use and deployment of nuclear in a safe way – that’s we should be doing, and that’s what we were initially charged with.” To learn more about the nomination and the changes at the NRC, consider reading this article from Politico. To learn more about the last ECA Forum, click here. ECA will continue to provide updates on Wright’s nomination and confirmation as they develop.
ECA SUMMER SERIES: UPCOMING WEBINARS IN JUNE AND JULY
Recent executive orders signed by President Donald Trump direct the DOD and DOE to use their authorities to advance privately funded recycling, reprocessing and reactor fuel fabrication technologies. ECA has gathered a panel of experts to discuss the status of nuclear recycling and reprocessing in the U.S. and the implications it has on the U.S.’s nuclear waste strategy and the
industry as a whole. Join us June 25 from 2:00 - 3:30pm to learn more!
Earlier this summer, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) completed a report on nuclear waste titled, "An Integrated Disposal Plan Could Help DOE Complete Its Cleanup Mission and Save Billions". ECA is hosting an informational webinar to learn more about the recommendations to develop DOE complex-wide analyses to assess the progress of its cleanup mission. These recommendations include; optimization models to identify optimal disposal pathways; a call to develop a complex-wide disposal plan; and the creation of a
forum for EM, cleanup sites, and disposal facility regulators to address regulatory constraints to optimal disposal approaches. GAO analyzed EM waste data, interviewed or requested information from all 15 EM sites, visited commercial nuclear waste disposal facilities, and developed a hypothetical model for optimizing transuranic waste disposal using EM data. Join ECA on July 24 at 2pm ET to learn more about the report. Speakers will include: - Facilitator: Seth Kirshenberg – Executive Director, Energy Communities Alliance
- Amanda Kolling, Assistant Director - Natural Resources and Environment, GAO
- Nathan Anderson, Director - Natural Resources and Environment, GAO
APPLICATIONS FOR DOME MICROREACTOR EXPERIMENTS DUE JUNE 19
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) invites reactor developers to submit applications for scheduling their microreactor experiments in the Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) test bed facility. DOME is intended to defray costs and accelerate American microreactor development and commercialization for reactor developers by providing access to a state-of-the-art containment structure where they can perform fueled advanced reactor experiments. DOE has released an application guide to help reactor developers through
the submission process. The sequencing of reactor experiments will be based on several criteria including technology readiness, fuel type and availability, regulatory approval plan, and the developer’s capabilities. Interested applicants must provide their contact information by 5:00 p.m. MDT on Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. MDT on June 19, 2025. Currently under construction, DOME will be ready to receive the first microreactor experiment as soon as 2026, with testing likely to begin in 2027, pending the full completion of an environmental review. To learn more about NRIC and the DOME test bed visit nric.inl.gov.
JOIN ETEC IN THE OAK RIDGE CORRIDOR FOR THE NUCLEAR OPPORTUNITIES WORKSHOP
July 22 - 23, 2025 | Knoxville Convention Center
WHAT IS NOW? - NOW is ETEC's Nuclear Opportunities Workshop, Tennessee’s premier nuclear industry conference focused on all things nuclear: fission, fusion, isotopes, environmental management, AI in nuclear, workforce and more. Join ETEC and a variety of experts and enthusiasts in
the Oak Ridge Corridor for this growing, engaging, and informative conference.
For more information, including agenda, supporter opportunities, and travel and lodging information, click here.
ROGER JARRELL, ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR EM, TO SPEAK AT THE NATIONAL CLEANUP WORKSHOP
September 23 - 25, 2025 | Crystal Gateway
Marriott | Arlington, VA
Join us for the 11th annual National Cleanup Workshop (NCW), to be held September 24-25, 2025 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott - Arlington, VA. Hear from Roger Jarrell, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) and Acting Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM), and a growing list of federal representatives, industry officials and state and local leaders. Hosted by ECA with the cooperation of the Energy Facility Contractors
Group and DOE-EM; this is one of the largest events in the country dealing with the issues tackled by the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management (EM). TAKE A FIRST LOOK AT WHO'S SPEAKING!
Roger Jarrell | Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary, DOE-EM
Brent Gerry | Mayor, City of
West Richland, WA; Chair, ECA
Rebecca Casper | Mayor, City of Idaho Falls, ID; Vice-Chair, ECA
David "DJ" Johnson | Vice President, Honeywell Federal Solutions; EFCOG Board Chair
Heatherly Dukes | President, Technical Service Group, BWX Technologies, Inc.
Carol Johnson | President and Program Manager, Hanford Tank Waste Operations & Closure (H2C)
Jeff Kendall | President,
AtkinsRéalis US Nuclear
Mark Whitney | President, Energy and Environment, Amentum
... and more!
Make sure to register before July 1, 2025, to receive the early bird discount rate! The cost of registration will increase after July 1.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Wednesday, September 24 8:00am National Cleanup Workshop 5:30pm Evening Reception for all NCW Attendees Thursday, September 25
8:00am National Cleanup Workshop SPONSORSHIP
NCW sponsorships offer an excellent opportunity to showcase your company, maximize networking opportunities with attendees, and host
an exhibit booth during the forum. Click here to learn more!
The National Cleanup Workshop is hosted by the Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) with the cooperation of the Energy Facility Contractors Group (EFCOG) and the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (EM)*.
GoneFission Nuclear Report - Oak Ridge Nuclear Center
of Excellence May 13, 2025 | S5 E2 Dr. Stephen Nagy discusses Japan's strategic positioning in a complex geopolitical landscape, particularly in relation to the U.S.-China rivalry. He explores Japan's economic ties with China, the challenges posed by regional security
threats, and the evolving strategies Japan is employing to navigate these issues. The conversation delves into Japan's historical pacifism, the potential for nuclear deterrence discussions, and the importance of trade agreements and technological cooperation in ensuring regional stability. https://gonefissionpodcast.com/ NucleCast - James Ragland: Defense Nuclear Weapons School (DNWS) June 17, 2025 | S03 E223 James Ragland from the Defense Nuclear Weapons School (DNWS) shares the school's history, mission, and the various courses it offers. He talks about the evolution of the school's focus from Cold War-era nuclear weapons to contemporary threats, the types of students who attend, and the
unique courses available, including specialized training for first responders. Ragland also highlights the importance of the Nuclear Weapons Instructional Museum and the role of DNWS in enhancing nuclear education within the military and government. https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/
Nuclear Opportunities Workshop Knoxville, TN | July 22 - 23 Learn More Here National Cleanup Workshop 2025 Arlington, VA |
September 23 - 25 Learn More Here
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