This bill, the Jobs, Not Waste Act of 2026, would stop the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository licensing process. It repeals a section of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act and a prior public law, withdraws the Department of Energy's construction authorization application, and ends the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing proceeding for the site. The bill also prohibits the Secretary of Energy from considering the Yucca Mountain site for a repository in the future. The Secretary must take steps to reclaim the site and mitigate significant environmental impacts caused by past site work. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget must deliver a public study to specified congressional committees within 180 days on the economic viability and job-creating benefits of alternative uses of the site, such as defense activities (for example a command facility for unmanned aircraft systems), renewable energy development, and scientific research. The bill was introduced on August 24, 2026, by Representatives Susie Lee and Steven Horsford and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
If this bill becomes law, the Yucca Mountain licensing work would stop immediately and the federal application for building a repository there would be withdrawn. The site could not be considered again for a repository. The Department of Energy would be required to clean up and reduce any major environmental harms from past site work. The Office of Management and Budget would publish a study within 180 days about possible alternative uses of the site and their job potential. The study would be sent to specific congressional committees and made available to the public.
No publicly available information on estimated costs or budgetary effects.
The bill directs a study of alternative uses and emphasizes job creation and economic development tied to those alternatives. It requires reclamation and mitigation of the site and ends further consideration of the site for radioactive waste disposal. The sponsors are Members of Congress from Nevada who introduced the bill and referred it to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
No publicly available information.