119th (2025–2027)
H.R. 7796
The Economic Recovery for Nuclear-Affected Communities Act provides federal assistance to communities dealing with stranded nuclear waste from decommissioned or decommissioning nuclear power plants in 14 states, including California, Illinois, New York, and others. The bill establishes three main programs: direct grants to affected communities at $15 per kilogram of stored spent nuclear fuel (matching a rate from the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act), grants of up to $10 million annually to communities experiencing at least 20 percent tax revenue losses from plant closures (phased down over eight years), and a $500,000 prize competition for innovative economic redevelopment alternatives. The legislation also restores the first-time homebuyer tax credit specifically for purchases in nuclear-affected communities. Congress authorizes $110 million annually from 2026 through 2031 and $120 million annually from 2032 through 2036 to fund these programs, with the goal of offsetting the economic damage caused by plant decommissioning and helping communities transition to new economic development.