Kelly’s Bipartisan Wildfire Prevention & Nuclear Fuel Bills Advance Out of Committee

Watch Senator Kelly’s remarks during the committee hearing in support of his bills here Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly’s Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act and MORE American Fuel Act advanced out of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act would make it easier for states and communities to use prescribed fires to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, while the MORE American Fuel Act would modernize the federal approval process to safely expand domestic uranium enrichment and reduce reliance on foreign nuclear fuel. Both bills are now eligible to receive a vote on the Senate floor. “In Arizona, we know just how catastrophic wildfires can be. […] One of the best tools we have to reduce wildfire risk and the damage it wreaks is prescribed fires. But right now, federal air quality rules can make it harder for states to use prescribed fire proactively,” said Kelly during his remarks at the committee hearing . “The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act fixes that. It gives states greater certainty that they won’t be penalized under the Clean Air Act for responsibly using prescribed burns to reduce the risk of a much larger and more destructive wildfire. This is a commonsense change that will help us keep our communities safe and our forests healthy.” Kelly continued, “Energy demand is growing in Arizona and across the country. We need more reliable, affordable, and abundant power on the grid, and nuclear energy should be part of that solution. But building more reactors won’t mean anything if we don’t have the fuel to operate them. Our bill modernizes that process while keeping the safeguards that protect communities firmly in place. It preserves environmental reviews, strengthens public notification, and maintains the Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s full regulatory authority. The goal is simple: move projects forward faster without cutting corners.” The Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act would: Make it easier for states to use prescribed fires as a proactive tool to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Provide greater certainty that states will not be penalized under the Clean Air Act for responsibly using prescribed burns for wildfire management. Preserve EPA’s role in overseeing air quality, protecting public health, and maintaining strong pollution-control safeguards. Kelly introduced the bipartisan legislation with Senators John Curtis (R-UT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Boozman (R-AR), and Alex Padilla (D-CA). The MORE American Fuel Act would: Allow applicants to begin construction of uranium enrichment facilities, at their own financial risk, after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) dockets an application. Preserve public participation and require advance written notification to state, local, and Tribal governments before pre-license construction begins. Maintain environmental review before uranium can be enriched or stored at a facility. Preserve the NRC’s full authority to review, approve, deny, condition, inspect, and oversee uranium enrichment facilities. Kelly introduced the bipartisan legislation with Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) have also joined the legislation as cosponsors. Watch Senator Kelly’s remarks here . Read the full text of the Wildfire Emissions Prevention Act here and the MORE American Fuel Act here.