S. 5254: Civil Nuclear Export Act of 2026

This bill would change how the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) can support civil nuclear energy exports and related projects.

What it would do

• Loosen restrictions on nuclear-related financing: The bill would change current law so Ex-Im Bank’s prohibition on financing certain nuclear facilities would not apply to purchases that are already allowed under a nuclear cooperation agreement made under section 123 of the Atomic Energy Act, or under other applicable U.S. law.
• Add civil nuclear projects to a priority export program: It would explicitly include civil nuclear energy technologies, materials, services, related infrastructure, and goods in Ex-Im Bank’s “Program on China and Transformational Exports.”
• Allow more lending capacity tied to that program: The bill would change Ex-Im Bank’s lending cap rules so that up to $50 billion in loans, guarantees, and insurance connected to the China and Transformational Exports program could be counted in a way that lets the Bank exceed its usual cap, within that limit.
• Raise a related budget threshold: It would increase a default-rate threshold in the Bank’s rules from 2 percent to 4 percent for certain calculations.
• Let the Bank disregard timing when counting some transactions: The Bank would be allowed to count loans, guarantees, and insurance made under the China and Transformational Exports program toward the excess-over-cap amount regardless of when they were issued.
• Adjust how default-rate monitoring works: If financing under the China and Transformational Exports program causes the Bank’s default rate to reach or exceed 4 percent, the Bank could exclude that financing from the calculation, if its Board of Directors approves.

Practical effect

In plain terms, the bill would make it easier for Ex-Im Bank to back civil nuclear energy exports, and it would give the Bank more flexibility to finance nuclear-related deals and certain exports tied to competition with China. It also changes some internal accounting and risk-monitoring rules so those transactions can be treated differently from other Ex-Im Bank financing.

Relevant Companies

• CCJ — Cameco Corp. could benefit if U.S.-backed financing helps overseas buyers purchase nuclear fuel, technology, or related services.
• GEV — GE Vernova may be affected through its nuclear-related equipment and services business if export financing expands for civil nuclear projects.
• FLR — Fluor Corp. could be affected through engineering and construction work on nuclear facilities and related infrastructure that may be financed more easily.
• URI — Uranium Energy Corp. could see indirect effects if the bill increases support for nuclear energy supply chains and projects.
• BWXT — BWX Technologies may be impacted through nuclear components, services, and infrastructure work tied to civil nuclear exports.
• HOLI — Holtec International is private, so no ticker is available; not included as a publicly traded company.