WASHINGTON — Today, Senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Dave McCormick (R-PA) introduced the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Deployment Act (NEIDA) to accelerate the deployment of next-generation nuclear energy technologies and strengthen U.S. energy leadership.

As global competitors like China and Russia rapidly build and export nuclear technologies, and as U.S. electricity demand surges due to energy-intensive industries, NEIDA establishes clear, practical pathways to move innovative nuclear technologies from demonstration to deployment at scale.

The legislation addresses long-standing regulatory and structural barriers that have slowed nuclear innovation by modernizing and clarifying the Department of Energy’s (DOE) authority over nuclear facilities and materials—providing long-overdue regulatory certainty—and helps bridge the gap between first-of-a-kind reactor development and widespread commercial deployment.

“Electricity demand is rising at a pace we haven’t seen in generations,” said Chairman Lee. “We can meet that demand, or we can fall behind. The biggest obstacle is our inability to build. To meet demand, we must accelerate the development of nuclear energy by removing regulatory barriers, unlocking federal resources, and creating a path from demonstration to deployment. Other countries are already preparing their grids for the next generation of technologies. The United States should be doing the same.”

“Pennsylvania is powering America’s future, and surging electricity demand requires reliable energy,” said Senator McCormick. “The Nuclear Energy Innovation and Deployment Act will remove regulatory barriers, accelerate next-generation nuclear deployment, and ensure the United States—not China or Russia—leads the global nuclear renaissance. This means affordable baseload power for consumers, stronger energy security for our nation, and real American energy dominance.”

“Recent momentum across Congress and the Administration continues to reinforce the role of advanced nuclear in meeting growing U.S. energy demand,” said Jacob DeWitte, CEO and co-founder of Oklo. Efforts to build on recent executive actions with longer-term policy support can help create a clearer pathway to deploy new infrastructure and unlock domestic bridge fuel like surplus plutonium.”

"Aalo thanks Chairman Lee for his leadership on the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Deployment Act (NEIDA),” said Matt Loszak, CEO of Aalo Atomics. “This legislation clarifies regulatory pathways for new reactor designs to achieve certification and begin providing needed electric capacity to the grid.  The Nuclear Energy Launch Pad meaningfully expands opportunities for private companies to demonstrate their technologies in partnership with the Department of Energy.  As a Texas-based developer of extra modular reactors (XMRs) already partnering with the Idaho National Laboratory on our Aalo-X demonstration unit, with a target for achieving criticality by July 4th, we strongly support these legislative reforms that would serve to grow our already robust relationship with the US Department of Energy."

“The Nuclear Energy Innovation and Deployment Act is a logical and much-welcome step for accelerating the expansion of nuclear power in America,” said Terrestrial Energy. “As a participant in the Department of Energy's Advanced Reactor and Fuel Line Pilot Programs, we understand the vital importance of using existing authorities and resources to the benefit of industry, and NEIDA will provide the broadened foundation needed to rapidly move the industry forward.”

“The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated,” said Liz Muller, CEO of Deep Fission. “Without decisive legislative action, the United States risks ceding ground to foreign state-owned enterprises that are actively exporting reactor technology and expanding their geopolitical influence worldwide. Our competitors are not waiting. They are financing, building, and deploying nuclear infrastructure across the globe locking in long-term relationships and establishing energy dependencies that will shape the international order for decades. The decisions made in this Congress will determine whether the United States leads the global nuclear renaissance or watches it from the sidelines. NEIDA offers a clear and constructive pathway forward. By streamlining the regulatory environment and removing barriers that have historically delayed commercialization.”

“Valar Atomics commends Senator Lee for his leadership on the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Deployment Act,” said Isaiah Taylor, Founder and CEO of Valar Atomics. “This legislation directly addresses the regulatory ambiguity that has slowed advanced reactor development for decades, codifying DOE's authority over non-commercial demonstration reactors and establishing the Nuclear Energy Launch Pad as a permanent pathway for companies to test and validate their technology before entering NRC commercial licensing. As a high-temperature gas reactor developer operating under DOE's Reactor Pilot Program, we have seen firsthand how effective the Department's process has been in supporting our work at the Utah San Rafael Energy Research Lab in Emery County, Utah. Our Ward250 test reactor at that site remains on track to achieve full criticality by July 4th, 2026. Senator Lee's bill makes this proven public-private partnership framework permanent and expands it to more developers across the country. That is exactly what the industry needs."

The Nuclear Energy Innovation and Deployment Act:

• Clarifies and expands DOE’s authority over nuclear facilities and activities conducted under contract with and for the account of DOE, including privately sponsored reactor demonstration projects
• Establishes a clear DOE-led pathway to authorize commercial reactor and fuel cycle facilities on federal land or for federal purposes 
• Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to revise regulations that limit DOE’s existing statutory authority
• Creates a Nuclear Energy Launch Pad to designate federal and non-federal sites where private companies can test and demonstrate advanced nuclear technologies under DOE authorities
• Enables Power Marketing Agencies to support nuclear energy deployment through power purchase and transmission authorities
• Streamlines nuclear demonstration programs by consolidating oversight within DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy
• Repurposes surplus plutonium for use in advanced nuclear reactors, turning a long-standing liability into a valuable asset while helping address fuel supply constraints

As electricity demand surges, reliable, always-available power is essential to keeping the grid stable and the economy moving.

This legislation builds on recent executive actions and ongoing DOE initiatives to modernize the nation’s nuclear energy framework and strengthen American energy dominance.

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