# Nuclear Assistance for America's Small Businesses Act

This bill helps small nuclear companies get their advanced reactors approved by the government without paying massive upfront licensing fees. Right now, when a small business wants to build a new type of nuclear reactor, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission charges them fees before and during the approval process—costs that can run into millions of dollars. This bill lets eligible small businesses delay paying up to half of those pre-approval fees and 35 percent of fees during the approval period, spreading the payments out over time instead of demanding them all upfront.

The key benefit is financial breathing room for startups and smaller companies trying to develop new nuclear technology. Instead of paying everything immediately, a company would pay just 10 percent of delayed fees when it finally gets its operating license, then pay the remaining balance in annual installments over the next 10 years. This gives small businesses time to get their reactors operational and generating revenue before they're hit with the full bill. The bill specifically targets companies working on "advanced nuclear reactors"—newer reactor designs that are different from traditional nuclear plants.

There are some conditions attached. If a company takes advantage of the fee delay but never actually submits a formal application within five years, it has to start paying back 25 percent of those delayed fees. Similarly, if an application gets denied or withdrawn, the company owes 25 percent of the deferred fees starting a year later. However, if the company resubmits an application within that year, it goes back to the original payment plan. The bill also allows companies to temporarily pause their applications for up to three years without triggering immediate payment obligations, though fees kick in if they don't resume within that window.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is required to report back to Congress by the end of 2029 on whether this fee-deferral program should continue. This gives lawmakers a chance to evaluate whether the policy actually helped small businesses develop advanced nuclear technology or if adjustments are needed.

Nuclear Assistance for America’s Small Businesses Act

Donalds, Byron

Nuclear Assistance for America's Small Businesses Act This bill provides assistance to eligible small businesses that seek to engage in the research, development, and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors. Upon the request of small businesses, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission must delay collecting a certain portion of application fees for construction permits, operating licenses, or combined licenses for advanced nuclear reactors.