ECA Update 5/6; HOUSE ENERGY & WATER APPROPS NEXT WEEK, GAO FINDS DOE-EM REPORTED OVER $1.5B IN REPAIR NEEDS, AND MORE

Published: Wed, 05/06/26

Updated: Wed, 05/06/26

TODAY'S HIGHLIGHTS & WHAT TO KNOW THIS WEEK

House Energy and Water Appropriations Markup Next week (DOE/NNSA funding)
- Subcommittee Markup - On Friday, May 15 at 9:00am ET, the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee of Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies will host a Subcommittee Markup of Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill
- Full Committee Markup - On Wednesday, May 20 at 10:00am ET, the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee of Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies will host a Full Committee Markup of Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill
New GAO Report identifies over $1.5 billion in repair needs across 4,300 operating facilities - read more below.
DOE-Idaho approves Aalo's documented safety analysis for the Aalo-X Critical Test Reactor - read more below.
NRC publishes a final rule on Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors, and a proposed rule on Licensing Requirements for Microreactors and Other Reactors With Comparable Risk Profiles - read more below
National Cleanup Workshop registration is open!
- 📅 Date: September 14-16 📍 Location: Arlington, VA 🔗 Don't miss out - Register Here!
Visit ECA on LinkedIn for regular updates.

GAO REPORT FINDS DOE-EM REPORTED OVER $1.5 BILLION IN REPAIR NEEDS ACROSS FACILITIES

On Tuesday (May 5th), the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report which identified more than $1.5 billion in needed repairs for nuclear waste facilities operated by the Department of Energy's Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM). Two sites accounted for nearly two-thirds of the work needed to be done by DOE as of June 2025: the Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina, and Hanford Site in Richland, Washington.

According to the EM office, direct-funded maintenance and repair spending have climbed since FY2020, when it spent $521 million. The office is seeking $950 million for FY2026 — an 82 percent increase from FY2020.

The Savannah River Site has $527.9 million in repair needs as of June 2025, while Hanford needs $466.6 million in repairs.

According to DOE's budget request for the 2026 fiscal year, Hanford accounts for almost half of EM's expected direct-funded maintenance and repair spending for FY2026.

Overall, the GAO found that over 80 percent of all EM facilities were either in "good" or "very good condition" while only about 7 percent were in "poor" or "very poor condition."

Report makes four recommendations to DOE. Two recommendations are related to improving data accuracy and comparability for facility data from EM sites. GAO additionally recommends EM headquarters incorporate additional information from EM sites in its planning to better communicate maintenance needs, and that EM communicate benefits from its own cost-saving recommendations to Congress. EM concurred with the first two recommendations and partially concurred with the last two recommendations, as discussed in the report.

Read the full report from GAO here.

Read the article from POLITICO here.

DOE-IDAHO APPROVES AALO'S DOCUMENTED SAFETY ANALYSIS FOR THE AALO-X CRITICAL TEST REACTOR

On April 30th, the Department of Energy's Idaho Operations Office (DOE-ID) has approved the Documented Safety Analysis (DSA) for the Aalo-X Critical Test Reactor, advancing Aalo into its final pre-operations phase, the Operational Readiness Review.

The DSA is the authoritative safety basis for a DOE nuclear facility. It demonstrates in detail that a facility can be operated safely across its full range of normal, off-normal, and accident conditions. It is one of the most rigorous regulatory gates in the DOE process. For a commercial reactor, the closest analog would be the Final Safety Analysis Report (FSAR) issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

In the Aalo-X Critical Test Reactor, Aalo will test its full-scale nuclear core, with fuel equivalent to what’s necessary for 10 MWe, before adding sodium coolant to the equation.

The goal is to achieve criticality, a self-sustaining nuclear reaction, at low power and with reduced heat generation. The Critical Test Reactor contains nuclear fuel, moderator, control rod drive mechanisms, shielding, and instrumentation systems that are direct analogs of what will operate in the 10 MWe Aalo-X power reactor being built next door. Operating the CTR will validate neutronics and offer key test data that verifies the computational models.

The final phase before criticality is the DOE-led Readiness Review, in which DOE verifies that the people, facility, and programs can be cleared to operate as documented.

Read the full announcement from Aalo here.

BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS HEARING SCHEDULE

On Capitol Hill, FY 2027 appropriations hearings are in full swing as both House and Senate committees hear testimony regarding the President's Budget Request. Below is a list of upcoming hearings of interest:

On Wednesday, May 13 at 11:00am ET, the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee of Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Legislative Branch will host a full committee markup of Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Bill and Fiscal Year 2027 Legislative Branch Bill - click here to tune in to the markup.
On Friday, May 15 at 9:00am ET, the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee of Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies will host a Subcommittee Markup of Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill - click here to tune in to the markup.
On Wednesday, May 20 at 10:00am ET, the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee of Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies will host a Full Committee Markup of Fiscal Year 2027 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Bill - click here to tune in to the markup.

As the FY27 appropriations and authorization process continues, stay up to date by visiting the recently updated ECA Federal Budget Tracker!

REGULATORY ROUND UP

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission published a final rule on Generic Environmental Impact Statement for Licensing of New Nuclear Reactors. The NRC is amending its regulations that govern the NRC’s environmental reviews of new nuclear reactor applications under the National Environmental Policy Act. The final rule will become effective on May 26, 2026.

Read the entire final rule here.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission published a proposed rule on Licensing Requirements for Microreactors and Other Reactors With Comparable Risk Profiles. The NRC is proposing to amend its regulations to establish a riskinformed and performance-based regulatory framework for rapid licensing of new microreactors and other reactors with comparable risk profiles and for high-volume deployment of these reactors. The proposed rule would provide a flexible set of licensing pathways, reduce regulatory burden, and ensure that safety and security requirements remain commensurate with the potential hazards posed by these facilities. The proposed rule and new Part 57 will be open to public comment until midnight on June 16, 2026. Comments can be submitted here.

Read the entire proposed rule here.

READ THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE ECA BULLETIN

Last week at the ECA Forum, the latest issue of the ECA Bulletin was released in print, and now a digital copy can be accessed on the ECA website, and by clicking the button below. Reread important updates from ECA like:

South Carolina's nuclear energy growth
Resources for communities - ECA's Reprocessing Guide & Nuclear Handbook
How energy communities are open for business
Current FY 2027 federal budget and appropriations breakdown
Featured ECA webinars
...and more!

Read the ECA Bulletin Here!

REGISTER TODAY FOR THE NATIONAL CLEANUP WORKSHOP

Energy Communities Alliance (ECA) is pleased to host the 12th annual National Cleanup Workshop from September 14th - 16th, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. Hear from senior DOE leaders, local government officials, and industry leaders about DOE's cleanup priorities, the future of the workforce, and more.

Click Here to Register!

Key Topics of Discussion Include:

EM’s new vision for utilizing legacy cleanup to advance American Energy dominance, innovation and affordability.
The opportunities for EM to contribute to, and benefit from, DOE’s Genesis Mission to more effectively utilize AI to tackle national challenges.
The intersection of legacy cleanup and advancing DOE’s modernization of the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
EM’s role in the new nuclear renaissance underway across America.
Industry leadership perspectives on DOE’s cleanup and energy missions.
The potential for local communities to capitalize on advances in new nuclear.

Schedule:

Tuesday, September 15: Full-Day Programming, Evening Networking Reception

Wednesday, September 16: Full-Day Programming

Full agenda coming soon!

Click Here to Register!

CATCH UP ON RECENT HEADLINES:

Ur-Energy starts uranium production in Wyoming

Ur-Energy Inc. on April 23 announced it has started uranium mining at its Shirley Basin site in Carbon County, expanding U.S. production of the fuel used for nuclear energy. The company is now collecting uranium from its first mining area after finishing construction and getting the necessary permits, officials said in a news release. Production is expected to grow as more parts of the operation begin running. The uranium will be shipped later this summer to the company’s Lost Creek facility for final processing, pending final approval from regulators.

Read the full article here.

Nuclear plants could see large tax breaks under bill passed by Iowa Senate

A bill in the Iowa Legislature offers tax breaks to bolster nuclear energy in the state. The measure (HF 2757) passed 43 to 4 in the Senate. Companies starting or restarting nuclear plants could receive sales tax exemptions during construction of nuclear facilities if they donate to nuclear energy workforce programs at the state’s universities. The sales tax breaks would end once the plant is operational.

Read the full article here.

Kentucky, X-energy collaborate on potential deployments

X-energy recently announced that it has begun collaborating with Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities to deploy X-energy’s Xe-100 reactor in Kentucky. The news comes soon after X-energy went public on the Nasdaq and represents the latest in a string of growing investments Kentucky has made in nuclear development over the last two years.

Read the full article here.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

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!

Click Here to Visit ECA's YouTube Channel!

How Collaboration Among Companies and Community Hosts Will Strengthen Nuclear Fuel Cycle Innovation

March 5, 2026

DOE’s recent Request for Information on Nuclear Fuel Cycle Innovation Campuses signals federal interest in accelerating advanced fuel capabilities — potentially including HALEU production, fuel fabrication, recycling, testing infrastructure, and integrated research hubs. Today’s discussion focuses on the central question: How will collaboration among private companies and community leaders strengthen the delivery of Nuclear Fuel Cycle Innovation Campuses? Join the discussion to explore different models and how public-private collaboration can strengthen proposals, reduce risk, and build durable local support.

Speakers will include:

John Pfeffer - Supervisor, Town of Ashford

Bill Goodwin - Chief Legal & Strategy Officer, Oklo

Rod Baltzer - CEO, Deep Isolation

Curtis Roberts II - VP of Communications and Press Officer, Orano USA

View the full webinar recording here!

Options for High Level Waste and Used Nuclear Fuel

February 12, 2026

The siting of new nuclear facilities requires integrated nuclear waste solutions that balance technical, regulatory, and social readiness. This goes beyond just regulatory compliance - it demands trust, transparency, and shared problem-solving among local governments, state agencies, developers, and residents. This webinar will explore how siting efforts can deliver on these environmental management goals while accelerating project timelines, developing local economies, and strengthening community confidence in long-term energy infrastructure decisions.

Speakers include:

Facilitator: Laura Hermann - Deputy Executive Director, ECA

Matt Bowen - Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy

Kara Colton - Director of Nuclear Policy, ECA

David Reeploeg - Vice President of Federal Programs, TRIDEC

Jack Volpato - Eddy-Lea Energy Alliance

View the full webinar recording here!

Co-location Options with Nuclear Storage

January 8, 2026

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.
Speakers include:
Moderator - Jennifer Chandler - Council Member, Village of Piketon
Randall Hemann - City Manager, City of Oak Ridge
David Pointer - Director, Nuclear Energy and Fuel Cycle Division, ORNL
Michele Sampson - Director, Division of New and Renewed Licenses, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, NRC
Dr. Jenifer Shafer- Associate Director for Technology and Program Director, ARPA-E

View the full webinar recording here!

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.

Speakers include:

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!

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!

PODCASTS ON NUCLEAR:

Gone Fission 3/9:

A well-known leader in cleanup of Department of Energy sites nationally is preparing to retire after more than four decades in the industry. Gone Fission podcast host Michael Butler sat down with Ken Rueter, President and Chief Executive Officer of United Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR) to review his decades of impressive accomplishments and discuss what’s next for this seasoned executive. From completing the first-ever teardown of a complete uranium enrichment complex to ushering in the nuclear renaissance on clean federal land, Ken’s story covers the history of the Manhattan Project and sets the stage for the nuclear technology of tomorrow.

Listen here!

DOE BUDGET TRACKER

Monitor DOE spending bills, detailed site budgets, and more. Find everything you need to know about the budget here!

BUDGET CHARTS

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