Shrink Office of Nuclear Energy; stop new civilian reactor commercialization projects
Mandate would substantially limit NE’s scope to basic research/waste/fuels/reactor tech, end new civilian demonstration/commercialization projects (honoring existing contracts), and push private sector to shoulder licensing/commercial support.
Mandate
Mandate Ch. 12 (Energy) — Office of Nuclear Energy: substantially limit NE size/scope; while respecting existing contractual obligations, NE should not initiate any new civilian reactor demonstration and commercialization projects; commercialization/licensing support should be shouldered by private sector; reorganize remaining work into fuels, reactor technology, and civilian radioactive waste.
Undo plan
1) Continue FOAK advanced reactor demos with cost-share where national security/climate goals require.
2) Keep fuel-cycle and waste R&D public goods funded.
3) Transfer IIJA demo funds transparently rather than killing midstream projects.
4) Coordinate with NRC licensing capacity.
5) Verify: reactor licensing queue and domestic fuel availability.