Reactors at Risk Act of 2026

Edward J. Markey

Democrat · MA · Senator

Source: Congress.gov · FEC

• Jeff Merkley (D-OR)Original· 2026-05-12

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

2026-05-12

Source: Congress.gov

The government would be required to study and report on the risks that nuclear power plants face if they are located in or near areas where armed conflict could occur. These reports would help lawmakers and the public understand what could happen to nuclear reactors during military conflicts and what safety measures might be needed to protect them. The information would affect nuclear facility operators, military planners, and communities living near nuclear plants in potentially vulnerable locations.

AI-assisted summary generated from the official bill metadata (title, subjects, actions) sourced from Congress.gov. Cached and reviewed. Always verify against the official text linked below.

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] [S. 4495 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 119th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4495 To require reports on the dangers posed by nuclear reactors in areas that might experience armed conflict. _______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 12, 2026 Mr. Markey (for himself and Mr. Merkley) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To require reports on the dangers posed by nuclear reactors in areas that might experience armed conflict. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``Reactors at Risk Act of 2026''. SEC. 2. REPORT ON DANGERS POSED BY NUCLEAR REACTORS IN AREAS THAT MIGHT EXPERIENCE ARMED CONFLICT. (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report assessing the following: (1) The dangers posed to the national security of the United States, to the interests of allies and partners of the United States, and to the safety and security of civilian populations, by nuclear reactors in existence as of such date of enactment or scheduled to be completed during the 10-year period beginning on such date of enactment and located in the following areas: (A) Regions that have experienced armed conflict in the 25 years preceding such date of enactment, including the following conflicts: (i) Attacks by the Russian Federation on Ukraine. (ii) Conflict in the Middle East, including between Israel and Iran. (B) Areas that are contested or likely to experience armed conflict during the life span of those reactors. (C) Areas that would be involved in any of the following possible conflicts: (i) An attack by the Russian Federation on the eastern European countries of Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, Lithuania, or Poland. (ii) A conflict between India and Pakistan. (iii) A conflict over Taiwan. (iv) An attack by North Korea on South Korea. (2) Steps the United States or allies and partners of the United States can take to prevent, prepare for, and mitigate the risks to the national security of the United States, to the interests of allies and partners of the United States, and to the safety and security of civilian populations, posed by nuclear reactors in places that may experience armed conflict. (b) Form of Report.--The report required by subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form but may include a classified annex. (c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' means-- (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives. <all>

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