Lummis, Kelly, Donalds Introduce Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act to Cut Costs, Boost Local Hiring

Home About About Cynthia Committee Assignments Media Press Releases Press Contact Videos Services Visiting D.C. Federal Funding Opportunities Internships Congressional Award Academy Nominations Flag Requests Issues All Wyoming, All the Time Energy & Natural Resources Agriculture Financial Innovation & Digital Assets Transportation & Infrastructure National Security & Veterans Healthcare Senate Western Caucus Legislation Sponsored Legislation Co-Sponsored Legislation Voting Record Newsletter Signup Contact Me Contact Form Scheduling Requests Press Contact Blow the Whistle Follow Follow Follow Lummis, Kelly, Donalds Introduce Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act to Cut Costs, Boost Local Hiring May 15, 2026 Washington, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) this week introduced the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act , legislation that will direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue a rulemaking allowing commercial-grade concrete and steel to be used in non-safety-related structures of nuclear power plants. “As nuclear technology evolves, our regulations should evolve with it,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis. “Requiring nuclear-grade materials in parts of a plant that have nothing to do with safety drives up costs and locks out local construction crews who are more than capable of doing the job. This legislation fixes that by requiring the NRC to allow commercial-grade concrete and steel where it’s safe to do so. I’m pleased to work with Senator Kelly and Congressman Donalds to get this done. The result is simple: lower costs, more local jobs, and zero compromise on safety.” “We need more reliable, affordable power to keep up with growing demand in Arizona and across the country, but outdated rules about building materials drive up costs and slow down construction for nuclear plants,” said Senator Mark Kelly . “With this commonsense solution, we can build clean nuclear power plants faster and cheaper while keeping the same strong safety standards that protect Arizona families.” “Energy security is national and economic security for the United States. As our energy demands continue to grow, it is essential that nuclear energy is a viable source of base load power. We must take a hard look at outdated and burdensome regulations and make practical, common-sense reforms,” said Congressman Byron Donalds. “I am proud to work alongside Senator Lummis to introduce the Build Nuclear with Local Labor Act to reduce construction and compliance costs for nuclear reactors, without sacrificing safety.” “We are proud to support Senator Cynthia Lummis’ efforts to encourage the further buildout of nuclear energy in the United States by lessening the burdens placed on the construction and manufacture of these facilities via oversight by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC),” said Faith Burns, Energy Policy Fellow- Americans for Prosperity. “The current text in Senator Lummis’ bill requires the agency to finalize a rulemaking to authorize the use of commercial-grade steel and concrete in non-safety-related structures at nuclear facilities. This bill provides a reasonable and responsible manner to address building and construction activities at nuclear facilities. Senator Lummis has been a stalwart in the energy and natural resources space, and we are thankful for her leadership.” “The Breakthrough Institute commends Senator Lummis for introducing the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act,” said Dr. Adam Stein, Director, Nuclear Energy Innovation, The Breakthrough Institute.” After decades of stagnant demand, growing industries such as AI, advanced manufacturing, and broader electrification will bring large loads to the grid – and advanced nuclear technologies offer promising generation to meet that demand. A key barrier to new nuclear deployment in the United States is the relatively high cost of construction. Regulatory requirements governing the use of safety-related materials in non-safety-related structures can be a meaningful contributor to this cost. The use of commercial-grade concrete and steel in non-safety-related applications maintains rigorous safety requirements for safety-significant systems and structures while advancing a more performance-aligned regulatory approach. This offers a clear pathway to reduce project timelines and costs without compromising public health and safety. We applaud Senator Lummis’s leadership on advancing nuclear energy deployment and her efforts to foster a supportive environment for nuclear technology in Wyoming.” “Nuclear-grade materials carry an enormous cost premium for little to no additional safety benefit,“ said Nick Loris, President of Policy, C3 Solutions Action. “Three-quarters of a nuclear reactor is concrete, and thanks to federal regulations, that concrete costs 50 percent more than what we use to build bridges and skyscrapers, not because it’s meaningfully safer, but because the regulations