S. 101 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jan 15, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryRequires consent for nuclear waste storage sites
This bill says the Department of Energy can't use money from the Nuclear Waste Fund to build or operate a radioactive waste repository unless it first gets written agreements from the state governor, local governments where the site would be, nearby towns that the waste would pass through, and affected Indian tribes. Basically, it makes sure that communities and tribes have a say before the federal government stores nuclear waste in their area.
How it affects you
If you live in a state or community where the federal government might want to store radioactive waste, this bill gives your governor, local officials, and any affected tribes the power to approve or reject the plan before it moves forward. People in areas where nuclear waste would be transported also get a voice in the decision.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jan 15, 2025)
Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act
This bill prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from using the Nuclear Waste Fund for certain activities related to radioactive waste disposal unless DOE has entered into a written agreement for a repository with (1) the governor of the state in which the proposed repository will be located, (2) affected local governments, (3) local governments contiguous to the affected local governments if spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste will be transported through them for disposal at the repository, and (4) affected Indian tribes.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 101
A BILL
Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act
Sponsor: Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) · Introduced Jan 15, 2025 · Energy · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jan 15, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.”