Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act of 2026

The "Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act of 2026" mandates the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to initiate a rulemaking within 90 days of the Act's enactment. This rulemaking is specifically designed to authorize the use of commercial-grade steel and concrete in structures at nuclear power plants that are not critical for safety. The NRC retains the authority to require stricter material standards, but only if it makes a formal determination that such standards are absolutely necessary to address a specific safety risk . This determination must align with the criteria for common defense and security, and the adequate protection of public health and safety, as outlined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954.