Jobs, Not Waste Act of 2026

The Jobs, Not Waste Act of 2026 permanently ends the federal government's effort to build a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain by withdrawing the construction application and terminating the associated licensing process. The bill prohibits the Department of Energy from reconsidering the site for this purpose in the future and requires the agency to reclaim the area while mitigating any environmental damage caused by previous activities. Additionally, it mandates that the Office of Management and Budget conduct a study within 180 days to evaluate the economic potential and job-creation benefits of alternative uses for the land, such as renewable energy development, scientific research, or defense operations.