Congress·In Committee·11 months ago

Congress targets faster small nuclear reactor rollout by expanding size limits and protecting funding eligibility

Also known as: Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed

Review

House

Senate

President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(2)

Union Member

Neutral

Federal Employee

Neutral

Key Points

Congress would raise the size limit used to define a “small modular reactor” from 300 to 500 megawatts, letting larger designs count as “small.”
The Energy Department would have to treat more efficient reactors as eligible under certain nuclear liability/capacity rules by increasing allowed output and combined site capacity.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Energy Department would have to update their public guidance so their “small” and “micro” reactor definitions match this bill.
The Energy Department could not block funding help for grid-scale small modular reactor projects just because one reactor unit is between 50 and 500 megawatts.
The Energy Department would set up a multi-agency working group to speed commercialization, manufacturing, and workforce planning for these reactors, with yearly reports through 2030.

EnergyNational SecurityLabor EmploymentInfrastructure

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions

Apr 10, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Apr 10, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Soon after the bill becomes law

Energy Department sets up the Small Modular Reactor Commercialization and Industrialization Competitiveness Working Group

Starts federal coordination that can shape future support for SMR projects, U.S. factory investment, and workforce training priorities

After enactment, once agencies revise guidance

Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Energy Department update public guidance to match the new SMR and microreactor size definitions

Developers and utilities get clearer, more consistent rules when planning and applying for support, reducing confusion about what counts as an SMR

For new or updated funding decisions after enactment

Energy Department begins treating SMR funding eligibility so projects aren’t excluded just for being between 50 and 500 megawatts per reactor unit

More reactor designs may compete for federal support, which could affect which projects move forward

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act of 2025

Bill NumberHR 2813

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)

R: 2

Data Sources

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.