Bill to Boost US Civil Nuke Tech Exports

Bipartisan legislation aimed at boosting US exports of civil nuclear technology was unveiled by Senate Energy and National Resources Committee Chairman Joe Manchin (D-WVa) and Senate Foreign Relations ranking Republican Jim Risch (Idaho).

The bill would enhance the ability of the United States to compete in existing and emerging nuclear markets that will help US partners and allies reduce dependence on Russian and Chinese civil nuclear technologies.

The Civil Nuclear Export Act of 2023 would modify US law to specify allow the US Export- Import Bank to finance civil nuclear facilities, materials, technologies and related goods and services that support the development of the nuclear energy sector.

It also would improve the ability of US civil nuclear companies to compete with Chinese and Russian state-owned and operated civil nuclear entities by providing competitive financing options. The measure would enhance the ability to compete in emerging nuclear markets while also ensuring our partners and allies buy US civil nuclear technology instead of Russian and Chinese technologies.

“For too long, the United States has sat by while China and Russia have worked to dominate the global nuclear energy market,” according to Sen. Manchin. “The Civil Nuclear Export Act provides enhanced financing tools to enable US civil nuclear companies to compete against Russian and Chinese state-sponsored entities. By enabling our partners and allies to turn to the US for civil nuclear technology instead of Russia or China, we will be able to build a supply chain that reduces dependence on nations that don’t hold our shared values.”