U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) have introduced the Accelerating Reliable Capacity (ARC) Act, a bill aimed at encouraging investment in new commercial nuclear reactors by reducing the risk of project cost overruns.
“The U.S. must remain the undisputed global leader when it comes to nuclear energy. To do so, we need advanced reactors that can meet growing energy demand here at home and we can deliver to customers around the world,” said Risch. “The ARC Act will ensure continued U.S. leadership in nuclear energy by incentivizing best practices and mitigating the financial risks to get new nuclear reactors online.”
“With energy demand growing rapidly across the country, nuclear energy is key to increasing baseload energy cleanly and reliably. But getting new nuclear projects off the ground is a financial risk many companies simply can’t take,” said Gallego. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Senator Risch to reduce financial risk and accelerate investment in advanced nuclear – ensuring America remains a leader in innovation and new energy technology development.”
The ARC Act proposes a risk reduction program for new reactor projects, offering enhanced financing terms and limited federal cost sharing as safeguards against unexpected costs. The program would support at least three advanced nuclear projects as part of efforts to move commercialization forward.
Senator Risch has been an advocate for increased domestic energy production, national security enhancement, and maintaining U.S. leadership in nuclear advancement. He founded and co-chairs the Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus, which focuses on highlighting the role of nuclear power in the United States and exploring emerging technologies in this sector.
According to his official website, Risch has supported policies for energy independence, Second Amendment rights, protection of Idaho agriculture and natural resources, property tax reductions, and increased funding for public schools. He serves as U.S. Senator for Idaho while chairing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and holding positions on committees related to Energy and Natural Resources, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Intelligence, and Ethics (https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/).
The ARC Act has received endorsements from ClearPath Action, the Nuclear Energy Institute, and the Nuclear Innovation Alliance.
“I want to thank Senators Risch and Gallego for their leadership on addressing barriers to advanced reactor deployment,” said John Wagner, Director of Idaho National Laboratory. “Providing targeted cost overrun protection for first-of-a-kind projects will help accelerate commercial deployment, meet the significant growth in demand for reliable power that our industrial sector and economic competitiveness require, and ensure continued U.S. leadership in nuclear energy.”
Ted Geisler, President and CEO of Arizona Public Service (APS), also voiced support: “The Accelerating Reliable Capacity Act is critical to the establishment of new nuclear assets in the United States and at home in Arizona. APS has a long history of nuclear leadership at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station which provides 4.0 GW of clean, reliable nuclear energy to over 4 million customers.” He added: “We are thankful for Arizona’s Senator Ruben Gallego and Senator Jim Risch for their bipartisan leadership to help bring new nuclear to the United States.”
