U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, whose district includes all of Mahoning and Columbiana counties, reintroduced legislation that he says will strengthen the nation’s nuclear energy competitiveness.

The legislation would require the secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy to develop and submit a report to Congress on the nation’s nuclear commerce within 180 days of its passage.

The report would also require assessments of the legal and regulatory policies of the nuclear industry, the effects of those policies on nuclear domestic and foreign commerce, the role of emerging U.S. nuclear technologies and the effects of advanced manufacturing and construction methods for nuclear technologies.

The bill would require a comparison with Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea, China and Russia and recommendations on how to improve the competitiveness of American nuclear commerce.

Johnson, R-Marietta, said his Strengthening American Nuclear Competitiveness Act “would make it easier for American entrepreneurs and innovators to compete with civilian nuclear technology across the globe. Nuclear is here to stay. Other countries, such as China and Russia know this — and America can’t continue to fall behind when it comes to this vital, clean energy source.”

Johnson introduced the bill in the last U.S. House session. It was assigned to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, of which he is a member, and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. It didn’t receive a vote in the House.

Johnson said his “legislation cuts through bureaucratic red tape, allowing for investment in American civilian nuclear technology at home and abroad while maintaining nonproliferation protections. In addition it directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to prepare for the next generation of American nuclear innovation in small modular reactors, advanced manufacturing and innovative non-electric use of nuclear power.”

Ohio has two nuclear power plants: one in Oak Harbor, near Sandusky, and the other in Perry, Lake County. They supplied about 12% of the state’s electricity in 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

A uranium enrichment plant that produces fuel for nuclear reactors recently opened in Piketon in southern Ohio with plans in the works for two small nuclear plants near it.