TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS & WHAT TO KNOW THIS WEEK
- Congressional Update
- National Defense Authorization Act (text and conference report) authorizes $34.2 billion for Atomic Energy Defense Activities which include authorizations for National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), EM, and
other DOE related defense activities. The NDAA was passed in the House last Wednesday and passed the Senate today. The President is expected to sign the bill.
- The "International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025" included in the NDAA includes multiple provisions encouraging multinational cooperation and development for civil nuclear programs, and the promotion of US-based technologies - read more below
- DOE appropriations is expected to part of a minibus
when Congress returns in January….but the Continuing Resolution Ends January 30, 2026.
- DOE issues a three-year contract extension for SIMCO to continue managing and operating WIPP - read more below
- NRC issues an environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact, two operational license renewals, and two requests for comment on implementing the US/IAEA agreement and the packaging and transport of radioactive material - read more below
- Join ECA for
our next webinar: Co-location Options with Nuclear Storage - ECA Winter Webinar Series on January 8, 2026 - register here!
- ECA New Nuclear Forum
- 📅 Date: April 21-24
📍 Location: Augusta, GA 🔗 Register Here!
- Join us for insights, industry networking, and expert speakers from the people advancing new nuclear reactors across the United States. Whether you’re looking to begin learning about nuclear energy or
to deploy advanced reactors in your region, this is the place to be. Don’t miss out—secure your spot today!
- Visit ECA on LinkedIn for regular updates.
INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR ENERGY ACT OF 2025Tucked within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which was just passed in the Senate
today is a new law titled the “International Nuclear Energy Act of 2025” (the Act) which aims to boost United States engagement
in the international civil nuclear energy sector through global partnerships, financing, and collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) by establishing multiple working groups, resource centers, and internationally-available grants for embarking civil nuclear nations (nations that do not have a civil nuclear energy program, but are in the process of developing or expanding civil nuclear energy programs). Working Groups The Act establishes two working groups, the Nuclear Exports Working Group, and Strategic Infrastructure Fund Working Group. The
Strategic Infrastructure Fund Working Group will support parts of projects relating to civil nuclear technology, microprocessors, and strategic investments. This working group will also provide input on the feasibility of establishing a more permanent program to support strategically important capital-intensive infrastructure projects related to civil nuclear energy. The Nuclear Exports Working Group will monitor the
status of civil nuclear exports and will both establish and carry out a 10-year civil nuclear trade strategy. Included in the requirements for a 10-year strategy are: - Assisting the IAEA to expand the support provided to embarking civil nuclear nations
- Coordinate efforts to expand outreach to the private investment community, and with the Import-Export Bank of the US
- Establish public-private financing relationships
International Reach The Act aims to promote the United States’ position in the international nuclear industry by renegotiating and renewing agreements for cooperation established in Section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act that are scheduled to expire within 10 years. The Act implements a
joint assessment between the US and India on nuclear reliability rules and aims to discuss opportunities for India to align
under domestic nuclear liability rules. Further, the President is given the directive to host biennial conferences with international partners centered on civil nuclear safety, security, safeguards, sustainability, nonproliferation and environmental safeguards, and local community engagement. These conferences also aim to provide partner nations with alternatives to Chinese or Russian financing of civil nuclear projects and encourage the changing internal policies of multinational development banks to support civil nuclear
projects. The Act intends to promote US nuclear
energy in nations where ROSATOM is present, and to provide a pathway to end US reliance on the Russian nuclear energy sector. Amending the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Act shifts focus to cooperate with countries developing nuclear energy programs that have increased cooperation with Russia and China to promote utilization of US nuclear energy companies’ reactors, fuel, equipment, etc., and authorizes appropriations up to $15,500,000 to carry this out. Resources and Financing The Act establishes International Civil Nuclear Program Support, an international
initiative to provide financial assistance to and to facilitate the building of technological capacities to the development of civil nuclear programs. This support program will provide grants up to $5,500,000 to embarking civil nuclear nations to contract with a US nuclear energy company to develop and build capacity of civil nuclear energy programs. Nations are eligible for up to one grant per fiscal year and may be awarded no more than five total per nation. Eligible grant activities include
developing financing relationships, developing standardized licensing framework for light water and non-light water civil nuclear technologies, advanced nuclear reactors, stakeholder engagement, management of spent nuclear fuel and waste, and other associated activities. Between fiscal years 2026 and 2030, $50,000,000 is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of State to carry out this program. The President
is given the discretion to create the Advanced Reactor Coordination and Resource Center which will identify qualified
organizations and service providers to develop a standardized model for the establishment of a civil nuclear program to be used by the IAEA. The group will also coordinate with countries participating in the center and with the Nuclear Exports Working Group to identify funds, provide market analysis, and foster the safety, security, safeguards, nuclear governance, and support multinational standards required for civil nuclear programs. Read more here.
WIPP CONTRACT EXTENSION FOR SIMCOThe Department of Energy has issued a three-year contract extension to Salado Isolation Mining Contractors (SIMCO), a single-purpose entity comprising Bechtel National and Los Alamos Technical Associates as a teaming contractor, for the continued management and operations of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, the
DOE’s geologic repository for defense-generated transuranic waste in southeastern New Mexico. The site has surpassed its waste-shipment targets every year since the start of the contract, reaching its 1,000th shipment earlier this year, Bechtel said. Mark Bollinger, manager of the Department of Energy (DOE) Carlsbad Field Office, said SIMCO has been an "exceptional partner, safely emplacing waste from across the nation
while completing critical infrastructure projects ahead of schedule and under budget, all without disrupting WIPP’s (Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's) mission or compromising safety". "Bechtel's close partnership with DOE, our strong safety culture, and delivery focus has enabled us to lay the groundwork for safe, compliant and effective operations at WIPP for decades to come," said Ben Souther, Bechtel's General Manager of
Environmental and Security. According to Bechtel, WIPP has surpassed its waste-shipment targets every year since the start of the contract, reaching its one thousandth shipment earlier this year. The company added that its SIMCO team has delivered major infrastructure upgrades, ensured uninterrupted waste processing, and completed more than 2 million safe work hours in 2025 with no lost-time incidents. According to the DOE, the decision to extend SIMCO’s M&O contract followed a comprehensive performance review, highlighting the following achievements: - Safety leadership—SIMCO has demonstrated a commitment to safely and compliantly delivering the mission, operating without a recordable injury since February 2025. The company’s 12-month rolling total recordable incident rate of 0.21 at the end of November is
below its target of 0.30 and outperforms the DOE’s goals of 0.8 (established by the DOE’s Carlsbad Field Office) and 1.1 (DOE headquarters).
- Operational excellence—SIMCO exceeded shipping goals for three consecutive years.
- Infrastructure success—SIMCO delivered two major projects ahead of schedule and under budget: the new underground air filtration and ventilation system and a utility shaft that enhances airflow and will serve as an additional hoist. The company
also refurbished the salt pocket and completed multiple site improvements.
Read the full announcement here.
FEDERAL REGISTER ROUNDUPNuclear Regulatory Commission Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact of Independent Spent Fuel Storage Facilities Decommissioning Funding Plans The NRC published this notice regarding the issuance of a final environmental assessment (EA) and a finding of no significant impact (FONSI) for its review and approval of the initial and updated decommissioning funding plans (DFPs) submitted for the independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI) at South Texas Project Electric Generating Station, Unit 1 and 2 (STP 1 and 2). The EA and FONSI will be available starting today,
December 17. Read the full announcement here. Tennessee Valley Authority; Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, Units 1, 2, and 3; Subsequent License Renewal and Record of Decision The NRC has issued Subsequent Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR–33, DPR–52, and DPR–68 to Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), for Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant (BFN), Units 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In addition, the NRC has prepared a record of decision (ROD) that
supports the NRC’s decision to issue Subsequent Renewed Facility Operating License Nos. DPR–33, DPR–52, and DPR–68. Read
the full announcement here. Safeguards on Nuclear Material, Implementation of US/IAEA Agreement The NRC invites public comment on "Safeguards on Nuclear Material, Implementation of US/IAEA Agreement’’.’’ Comments will be accepted until February 9, 2026, and can be submitted by following this link. Read the full announcement here. Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Material The NRC invites public comment on ‘‘Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Material.’’Comments will be accepted until February 10, 2026, and can be submitted by following this link. Read the full announcement here.
JOIN ECA FOR OUR NEXT WEBINAR "CO-LOCATION OPTIONS WITH NUCLEAR STORAGE"
The next installment of ECA's Winter Webinar Series continues January 8 at 2:00pm ET with "Co-location Options with Nuclear Storage". As data centers and advanced fuel cycle facilities seek reliable, carbon-free power, new opportunities are emerging to co-locate
these energy-intensive operations with nuclear generation and spent fuel storage sites. Such integration could strengthen grid resilience, reduce transmission losses, align high-demand digital infrastructure with established nuclear security and safety protocols and diversify economic opportunities for host communities and regions. Yet it also raises complex questions about regulatory frameworks, community acceptance, and long-term stewardship of nuclear materials. This webinar will bring
together experts from the energy, technology, and policy sectors to explore how thoughtful colocation strategies can balance innovation, safety, and public trust in the next generation of nuclear infrastructure.
ECA NEW NUCLEAR FORUM TO BE HOSTED IN AUGUSTA, GA FROM APRIL 21-23, 2026
Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) is pleased to host the fifth annual ECA Forum in Augusta, GA from April 21 - April 23, 2026. The meeting is part of ECA’s ongoing New Nuclear Initiative to define the role of local governments in supporting the development of the new nuclear technologies. April 21 | Registration Opens & Nuclear 101 April 22 | Full Day General Session April 23 | Half-Day General Session The ECA Forum is the only meeting designed to bring together DOE, federal, state, local and tribal governments and policymakers with developers, utilities, regulators, industry, and academia to identify opportunities, challenges and to build the partnerships necessary to support nuclear development. Stay tuned for further details on registration, agenda, and
more! WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The ECA Forum is open to communities, State, Tribal and local policymakers, industry, utilities, developers, experts, financiers, state legislators, community groups, and economic development organizations working to build capacity and support for new nuclear development in the U.S. AGENDA:
Agenda coming soon! ECA is working with private and community partners to develop an agenda that takes a comprehensive look at what new nuclear projects require - from the front-end to the back-end of the fuel cycle to aligning support at local, state and federal levels. The Forum will explore emerging options for enabling legislation, public-private partnerships and regulatory
oversight.
WHAT YOU'VE MISSED: Frontier
supercomputer ushers in new era of nuclear AI In an innovative new AI project, tech startup company Atomic Canyon and their partner, Diablo Canyon — California’s only operational nuclear power plant — used the Frontier supercomputer at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop novel AI models based on the unique needs of the nuclear industry. Read the full story Board of Supervisors advance talks to remove spent nuclear fuel from San Onofre coastline
Last week, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal to pursue partnerships with national laboratories on resolving issues with spent nuclear fuel stored at
the closed San Onofre plant. The motion by Supervisor Jim Desmond directs county staff to bring back partnership and policy options within 90 days, including any possible costs and potential funding sources. The plan also calls on the county to work with such entities as Southern California Edison, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Department of Energy. Read the full story State of New York invests in nuclear workforce development
Governor Kathy Hochul has announced USD40 million of funding over the next four
years to develop the workforce needed to support the planned deployment of advanced nuclear energy in Upstate New York. Read the full story
Co-location Options with Nuclear Storage - ECA Winter Webinar Series Virtual | January 8, 2026 Learn More Here Siting Options for High Level Waste and Used Nuclear Fuel - ECA Winter Webinar Series Virtual | February 12, 2026 Learn More Here Spent Fuel Storage and Advanced Fuel Cycle Facilities: Co-location for Safety and Sustainability - ECA Winter
Webinar Series Virtual | March 5, 2026 Learn More Here ECA New Nuclear Forum 2026 Augusta, GA | April 21 - 23 Learn More Here National Cleanup Workshop 2026 Arlington, VA | September 14-16 Learn More Here
CATCH UP ON PAST WEBINARS Click the button below to visit ECA's YouTube Channel to rewatch past webinars, and
find the recordings from our most recent webinars below!
ECA Winter Series: Advancing New Nuclear with Datacenter Development December 8, 2025 As artificial intelligence and cloud computing drive exponential growth in electricity demand, data center developers are turning to nuclear energy for reliable, carbon-free power needed to operate continuously. This session explores the concerns local officials must address when co-locating data centers with existing or new nuclear generation. Speakers will discuss regulatory
considerations, what makes an “ideal” site, community engagement, and partnership models that align digital infrastructure expansion with public safety and sustainability goals. Moderator: AJ Ridge - Director of Programs, ECA Iain Macdonald - Principal and Future Energy Systems Development Lead, HKS Ilissa Miller - Editor-in-Chief, DataCenter Post David Reeploeg - Executive Director, Hanford Communities Peter Rodrik - Associate Administrator for Partnership and Acquisition Services, NNSA Aditi Verma - Assistant Professor, University of Michigan View the full webinar recording here! ECA Winter Series: Creating Emergency Response
Planning for Nuclear Storage Projects November 6, 2025 Advanced nuclear projects are moving toward construction, and local governments play a frontline role in ensuring that emergency preparedness and management systems keep pace with development. City and county officials oversee first responders, coordinate public safety
communications, and maintain the trust of residents who live and work near project sites. This webinar will highlight how mayors, emergency managers, and developers collaborate to build readiness from day one—through joint planning, drills, and transparent communication. Participants will gain insight into best practices for integrating project-specific safety requirements into local emergency operations and for sustaining preparedness over the full lifecycle of a nuclear facility. Speakers include: Moderator: Laura Hermann - Deputy Executive Director, Energy Communities Alliance Chief Mike Cochran - Police Chief, City of Craig, Colorado Lea
Perlas - Fusion Program Director, Virginia Department of Health Randall Ryti - Councilor, Los Alamos County, New Mexico Brian Scroggins - Administrator of the Division of Planning, Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects View the full webinar recording here! ECA Summer Series: Investing in Innovation: Financing Advanced Nuclear Projects September 12, 2025 Wall Street has arrived to Main Street. Understanding financing pathways is no longer optional—it’s a prerequisite for informed local leadership and successful project development. Join ECA in
its upcoming webinar featuring panelists shaping financing solutions for new generation of nuclear projects. Learn about the new business models emerging and how the financing will occur. Nuclear projects will only move forward if they are financeable. While government funding has played a vital role, the new generation of projects are looking at how to structure the “capital stack” and use a mix of private financing (debt and equity), tax credits, and DOE loan program. In addition, the
announced Power Purchase Agreements between utilities and large off-taker such as Google, Meta and Amazon are providing the credit needed to attract financing – once the projects are ready for market. Join a conversation that will bring together government and the private sector to discuss these items and make recommendations on how these projects can move forward to facilitate these exciting business opportunities. This means real opportunities to attract capital, create jobs, and leverage
nuclear projects for broader economic development. Speakers include experts shaping the future of nuclear finance: Facilitator: Seth Kirshenberg - Executive Director | Energy Communities Alliance and Partner, Kutak Rock LLP Andy Roehr - Managing
Director | Baker Tilly Advisory Group, LP Anthony Huston - Managing Partner | Quadrant Nuclear Industries Chris Lohse - Innovation and Technology Manager | Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear View the full webinar recording here!
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