HR4263-119

What This Bill Does

The 123 GO Act treats civilian nuclear cooperation agreements as a strategic export and national-security tool. It endorses Executive Order 14299 on deploying advanced nuclear reactor technologies for national security, then requires the Secretary of State to lead diplomatic engagement and negotiations for section 123 Atomic Energy Act agreements. State must seek at least 20 new agreements before January 3, 2029 and renegotiate or renew agreements scheduled to expire within 10 years after enactment. The bill also requires State, consulting Commerce and Energy and after review by OSTP and the National Economic Council, to run a program helping U.S. nuclear suppliers, investors, and lenders compete for foreign nuclear projects by speeding intergovernmental nuclear and fuel-supply-chain agreements, promoting the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage, identifying export burdens, recommending relief, and encouraging foreign governments to choose U.S. nuclear technology, fuel, equipment, and services.

Who Benefits and How

U.S. nuclear suppliers benefit because the bill directs diplomatic support for foreign nuclear projects and fuel-supply-chain agreements. U.S. nuclear investors benefit from a State-led competitiveness program aimed at foreign nuclear markets. U.S. nuclear lenders benefit because more 123 agreements can make financing foreign nuclear projects legally feasible. Potential nuclear import countries benefit from faster U.S. negotiations and clearer access to U.S. nuclear technology and fuel services.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The Secretary of State must lead negotiations, seek at least 20 new 123 agreements, and renew or renegotiate expiring agreements. Commerce Department export offices must help identify regulatory burdens on nuclear technology, fuel, equipment, and service exports. Energy Department nuclear offices must support foreign nuclear competitiveness work and export-burden recommendations. Nuclear nonproliferation reviewers must evaluate whether accelerated agreements preserve safeguards and cooperation standards.

Key Provisions

• Directs the Secretary of State to lead diplomatic negotiations for section 123 nuclear cooperation agreements.
• Requires State to seek at least 20 new 123 agreements before January 3, 2029 and renew or renegotiate expiring agreements.
• Creates an interagency program to help U.S. nuclear suppliers, investors, and lenders compete for foreign nuclear projects.
• Requires action on intergovernmental agreements, nuclear-liability convention adherence, export-burden relief, and foreign decisions favoring U.S. nuclear technology.