Public Policy & Engagement

Sens. Jim Risch (R., Idaho) and Ruben Gallego (D., Ariz.) reintroduced the Accelerating Reliable Capacity (ARC) Act in the Senate on February 10.

According to the Department of Energy, it could take up to 10 deployments for a reactor design to become a mature commercial reactor. Getting from the first-of-a-kind (FOAK) to full commercial deployment is challenging, and the risks of higher costs and longer deployment timelines for early nuclear projects create significant uncertainty for investors. The ARC Act is designed to reduce that early deployment risk.

Nuclear is enjoying a bit of a resurgence. The momentum for reliable energy to support economic development around the country—specifically data centers and AI—remains strong, and strongly in favor of nuclear. And as feature coverage on the states in the January 2026 issue of Nuclear News made abundantly clear, many states now see nuclear as necessary to support rising electricity demand while maintaining a reliable grid and reaching decarbonization goals.

Earlier this week, ANS opened the application process for the 2027 Glenn T. Seaborg Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship, offering ANS members an opportunity to contribute directly to federal policymaking in Washington, D.C. Applications are due June 6.