U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R), joined by Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), has introduced the Advancing Research in Nuclear Fuel Recycling Act of 2025. The legislation aims to strengthen America's energy independence through nuclear innovation.
The bill directs the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to conduct a comprehensive study on the costs, benefits, and risks of recycling the nation's spent nuclear fuel compared to interim storage options.
Cruz emphasized the legislation's importance to U.S. energy security.
"Spent nuclear fuel has the potential to dramatically increase America's energy, economic, and national security. Domestic recycling can reduce the space we need for spent nuclear fuel, enhance energy independence, and broaden the supply of rare elements and isotopes used in medicine and advanced technologies," said Cruz.
He went on to add that recycling solutions would "reduce the burden on individual states from nuclear waste accumulation and accelerate progress on nuclear energy, our nation's cleanest baseload energy source."
The bill has gained support from several nuclear industry organizations, including Curio Oklo and the Nuclear Energy Institute, all of which praised the senators for advancing thoughtful, science-based approaches to fuel recycling.
The DOE study would evaluate past and current challenges to recycling and include policy recommendations to address the remaining obstacles to recycling nuclear fuel. Originally, Cruz introduced the bill in 2024, and the updated legislation continues his push for policies that promote nuclear innovation and national energy resilience.
