The Arizona House of Representatives has joined a multistate lawsuit against the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to strike down what its attorneys believe is the “improper federal licensing rules” that are stalling deployment of advanced nuclear energy technology, like small modular reactors (SMRs).
SMRs are small nuclear reactors that are faster and more affordable to build. They have the ability to provide around-the-clock carbon-free energy and are safer than traditional nuclear power plants, as they release close to zero radiation. The flexibility of SMRs allows them to be built in a factory then shipped and installed on-site, even in rural areas.
Speaker Steve Montenegro and Majority Leader Michael Carbone are leading the legal fight by the Arizona House of Representatives to stand with Texas, Florida, Utah, Louisiana, and several U.S. nuclear companies in calling for an end to the federal blockade that has made it nearly impossible to build ultra-modern, safe nuclear facilities in the U.S.
The lawsuit challenges a decades-old NRC rule that unlawfully imposes the same licensing requirements on small, ultra-safe nuclear reactors as it does on full-scale, traditional nuclear power plants. The rule misinterprets federal law to prevent newer, more advanced nuclear technologies like SMRs from entering the U.S energy market.
“This is a textbook case of Washington bureaucrats getting in the way of American progress,” said Montenegro. “America is behind the modern world when it comes to nuclear advancement. We have had this technology for decades, yet the NRC has not let us advance, stifling innovation. Arizona House Republicans are pushing back. We’re standing up for American innovation, lower energy costs, and true energy independence.”
“Small modular reactors are the kind of clean, reliable, American-made technology we should use to meet growing energy demand,” said Carbone. “They’re meltdown-proof, can be deployed when needed, and run on recycled fuel. But thanks to the NRC, these technologies can’t move forward while our competitors overseas surge ahead. That stops now.”
“The people of Arizona sent us to the Capitol to lead—and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” added Carbone. “This lawsuit is part of our broader House Republican Majority Plan to cut red tape, rein in unelected bureaucrats, and prepare Arizona for the next generation of energy innovation. Securing a reliable and affordable power grid for Arizona families while advancing U.S. manufacturing are top priorities. This lawsuit gets the federal government out of the way and allows SMRs, which are already being used or explored abroad, to power our burgeoning industries right here at home.”
The Arizona State Senate also joined the lawsuit filed on Monday evening in a U.S. District Court.