HR 2504119th CongressIn Committee

The U.S.-European Nuclear Energy Cooperation Act of 2025

Introduced: Mar 31, 2025

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The U.S.-European Nuclear Energy Cooperation Act of 2025 would require the Secretary of State, with key interagency input, to develop a formal strategy to strengthen United States–European nuclear energy cooperation and to counter Russian malign influence in Europe’s nuclear sector. The strategy would analyze reactor types, fuel cycles, and technology pathways; assess how to broaden U.S. and partner participation in Europe; and evaluate ways to reduce Russia’s footprint in European nuclear energy while maintaining nonproliferation and safety standards. The bill also authorizes funding to support engagement with Europe—focusing on capacity building, early-stage project support, and countering disinformation—and directs a comprehensive strategy be delivered to Congress within 120 days in unclassified form (with a possible classified annex). The measure builds on findings about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, its control over nuclear infrastructure and fuel services, and its influence in Europe’s nuclear sector. It also endorses continuing U.S. support for small modular reactor (SMR) technology and related nonproliferation aims, while balancing commercial competitiveness with robust safety and nonproliferation safeguards.

Key Points

1Required strategy: The Secretary of State, with the Secretary of Energy and other relevant agencies, must develop and submit a strategy to strengthen U.S.–European nuclear energy cooperation and counter Russian influence in Europe, within 120 days of enactment. The strategy may include a classified annex.
2Strategy elements: The plan must—at minimum—cover (a) US industry participation in Europe and competitiveness against Russian/Chinese technologies; (b) types of reactors across Europe (large LWRs, small modular LWRs, non-LWRs) and their potential roles through 2050; (c) fuel cycles (including LEU and high-assay LEU, and spent-fuel reprocessing) and their implications for reducing Russia’s market share and maintaining nonproliferation standards; (d) U.S. technologies and funding for reactor designs and fuel cycles, and their use cases; (e) diplomatic engagements; (f) country-by-country analyses of Europe’s nuclear programs, existing and potential cooperation, and fuel types used; (g) assessment of Russia and China’s influence; (h) steps to counter malign influence across mining, conversion, enrichment, fuel fabrication, and reactor construction; (i) balancing strategic needs with commercial competitiveness.
3Focus on reducing Russian influence: The strategy must analyze how different reactor types and fuel cycles could reduce Russia’s market share in Europe by 2030 and 2050, while maintaining nonproliferation and safety standards.
4Funding: Authorization of $30 million per fiscal year (2025–2029) to support engagement in Europe aligned with the strategy, emphasizing capacity building, early-stage project support, and countering Russian disinformation campaigns.
5Definitions and oversight: The bill defines high-assay low-enriched uranium (5–20% U-235) and low-enriched uranium (<20% U-235), and designates the “appropriate congressional committees” with oversight sectors in both chambers.
6Form and transparency: The strategy must be unclassified but may include a classified annex, ensuring public reporting with possible restricted details.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- United States government (State Department, Energy Department, and other relevant agencies) and U.S. nuclear industry: The bill creates a mandatory, interagency process to produce a comprehensive strategy and directs funding to support engagement with Europe, affecting how U.S. firms participate in European markets and how diplomacy and policy are coordinated.Secondary group/area affected- European countries with active or developing nuclear programs: The strategy aims to broaden U.S.–EU cooperation, promote U.S. and partner technologies, and provide capacity-building and early-stage project support, potentially influencing which technologies and vendors are pursued in Europe.Additional impacts- Geopolitical and nonproliferation landscape: By prioritizing countering Russian malign influence and strengthening nonproliferation safeguards, the bill could shape Europe’s energy security architecture, influence the competitive dynamics among U.S., European, and allied vendors, and affect Russia and China’s positions in Europe’s nuclear sector.- Public policy and budgeting: The authorization of $30 million annually for 2025–2029 marks a specific funding level for diplomatic, technical, and outreach efforts tied to Europe’s nuclear energy programs and disinformation countermeasures.- Regulatory and technical considerations: The strategy would require detailed analysis of reactor types, fuel cycles, and associated regulatory and safety challenges, potentially informing ongoing or future regulatory reviews, licensing considerations, and deployment paths for new reactors and fuels in Europe and the United States.- Rosatom assessment: The bill calls for an assessment of Rosatom’s role, which could influence U.S. and allied policy toward Russian nuclear services and supply chains.

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