WHAT:
The International Nuclear Energy Financing Act of 2025 aims to bolster global nuclear energy development by directing the U.S. Treasury Secretary to advocate for the removal of restrictions that prohibit international financial institutions. These include, the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development from providing support for nuclear energy technologies. The Act also directs the Secretary to advocate for a “Nuclear Energy Assistance Trust Fund” at the World Bank to help build internal capacity and expertise to deploy nuclear energy technologies worldwide.
WHY IT MATTERS:
The International Nuclear Energy Financing Act has the potential to expand the capabilities of international financial institutions to support the deployment of nuclear energy technologies. The World Bank is one of the largest funders of energy infrastructure in the developing world, with an active portfolio of over
$40 billion in projects. The World Bank is also a main advisor to developing countries working to select partners and energy technologies.
Currently, Russia and China dominate the global nuclear energy technologies market, creating 60 to 100-year partnerships with host countries. The World Bank and other financial institutions can play an important role in supporting the U.S. nuclear industry by investing alongside the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation and U.S. Export-Import Bank to ensure that regulatory requirements and technical expertise are adequate for host countries and address questions and concerns from nuclear newcomer countries.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The International Nuclear Energy Financing Act would build nuclear energy technology expertise at the World Bank, one of the largest funders of energy infrastructure in the developing world. This would be the first step towards providing direct financial support for nuclear energy technologies. The bill has been introduced on a bipartisan basis in both the House and Senate.
ORIGINAL SPONSORS:
S. 1739
Sen. David McCormick (R-PA)
H.R. 1474
Rep. French Hill (R-AR-2)
COSPONSORS:
S. 1739
Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE)
H.R. 1474
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL)
SUPPORT:
ClearPath Action
CONGRESS.GOV LINK:
H.R. 1474
S. 1739
PRINTABLE SUMMARY:
Printable summary of H.R. 1474 & S. 1739