HR2504-119

What This Bill Does

The U.S.-European Nuclear Energy Cooperation Act responds to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Russian influence over nuclear reactors, uranium conversion, uranium enrichment, fuel services, and Rosatom's role in Europe. It says the Department of State should prioritize U.S. nuclear products and services for countries developing nuclear power, then allied products from Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and European partners when those products do not directly compete with the United States. The bill requires a State-led strategy within 120 days to strengthen U.S.-European nuclear cooperation and counter Russian malign influence in Europe's nuclear sector, and authorizes $30 million annually for five fiscal years.

Who Benefits and How

Westinghouse Electric Company and other U.S. nuclear technology suppliers benefit because the strategy must assess and promote broader participation by U.S. nuclear industry entities in Europe. European nuclear utilities benefit from analysis of reactor types, fuel cycles, nonproliferation standards, safety, security, and ways to reduce dependence on Russian supply chains. The Government of Ukraine benefits from congressional focus on Russian attacks against Ukraine's energy grid and occupation of Zaporizhzhia. The governments of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Turkey benefit from country-by-country analysis of VVER reactor dependence and cooperation opportunities. Canadian nuclear manufacturers, Japanese nuclear manufacturers, United Kingdom nuclear manufacturers, and South Korean nuclear manufacturers benefit from the allied cooperation framework when their products do not directly compete with U.S. offerings.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Department of State must lead the strategy, assess European nuclear policy country by country, evaluate Russian and Chinese influence, examine commercial competitiveness, and submit an unclassified report with any classified annex within 120 days. The Department of Energy must consult on reactor designs, fuel cycles, HALEU, low enriched uranium, spent-fuel reprocessing, and U.S.-funded technologies. Rosatom, the Russian Federation, Russian nuclear fuel manufacturers, Russian uranium conversion manufacturers, Russian uranium enrichment manufacturers, Russian VVER reactor manufacturers, the People's Republic of China, and Chinese nuclear technology manufacturers face competitive and diplomatic pressure because the bill directs U.S. work to reduce or eliminate Russian and Chinese nuclear-sector influence in Europe.

Key Provisions

• Establishes findings on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, occupation of Zaporizhzhia, VVER reactors across Europe, and Russian uranium conversion and enrichment market share.
• Provides a sense of Congress prioritizing U.S. nuclear products and services, then allied products and services, for countries developing nuclear power.
• Requires a State-led strategy within 120 days to strengthen U.S.-European nuclear energy cooperation and combat Russian nuclear-sector influence.
• Requires assessment of European reactor types, fuel cycles, nonproliferation effects, safety, security, Russian market share, Chinese influence, and country-specific cooperation opportunities.
• Authorizes $30 million for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029 for European nuclear capacity building, early-stage nuclear project support, and countering Russian disinformation.
• Defines appropriate congressional committees, high assay low enriched uranium, low enriched uranium, and VVER reactors.