REACT Act

## Summary The Reactor Expenditure Accountability and Compliance Transparency Act (REACT Act) would require the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to update its rules to ensure greater transparency in how nuclear power plant operators manage funds set aside for decommissioning reactors. Decommissioning trust funds are financial reserves established to cover the costs of safely shutting down, dismantling, and cleaning up nuclear reactors at the end of their operational lives. Under this bill, the NRC must revise its regulations to mandate that power reactor licensees report three specific details in their regular financial assurance status reports: (1) the interest earned by their decommissioning trust funds, (2) the projected annual rate of return on these funds, and (3) a breakdown of how money withdrawn from the funds was spent on decommissioning activities. The goal is to improve oversight, ensure funds are used appropriately, and provide clearer data to regulators and the public about the financial health of decommissioning projects. This bill could impact nuclear operators by increasing administrative requirements and costs, while also strengthening accountability. It may also help identify potential shortfalls in funding early, ensuring that decommissioning proceeds without delays or risks to public safety. ## Key Points - Mandates Interest Reporting: Licensees must disclose the interest earned by decommissioning trust funds, providing insight into fund growth. - Requires Return Projections: Operators must report their projected annual rate of return, helping assess whether funds will meet future costs. - Expenditure Transparency: Detailed lists of how trust funds are spent on decommissioning activities will be required, improving oversight. - Regulatory Revision: The NRC must update its rules (specifically Section 50.82 of Title 10, CFR) to enforce these reporting requirements. - Financial Assurance Compliance: Reports will be submitted regularly as part of existing financial assurance status reports, ensuring ongoing accountability. ## Impact Areas - Primary: Nuclear power reactor licensees (operators) and the NRC, which will need to adjust reporting processes and regulatory enforcement. - Secondary: State regulators and local communities near decommissioning reactors, who may use the data to monitor safety and financial preparedness. - Additional: Enhanced public trust in nuclear decommissioning processes and potential adjustments to federal or industry standards for fund management. *Technical terms explained*: - Decommissioning trust funds: Accounts where nuclear operators deposit money over time to cover future costs of shutting down and cleaning up reactors. - Financial assurance status reports: Documents showing whether licensees have sufficient funds to meet decommissioning obligations. - Projected annual rate of return: An estimate of how much the fund’s investments will grow each year, critical for ensuring long-term adequacy.