§6301. Restriction on use of funds to pay penalties under environmental laws

(a) Restriction.—Funds appropriated to the Department of Energy for the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program or the nuclear weapons programs or other atomic energy defense activities of the Department of Energy may not be used to pay a penalty, fine, or forfeiture in regard to a defense activity or facility of the Department of Energy due to a failure to comply with any environmental requirement.

(b) Exception.—Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to an environmental requirement if—

(1) the President fails to request funds for compliance with the environmental requirement; or

(2) Congress has appropriated funds for such purpose (and such funds have not been sequestered, deferred, or rescinded) and the Secretary of Energy fails to use the funds for such purpose.

(Added Pub. L. 119–60, div. C, title XXXI, §3111(a), Dec. 18, 2025, 139 Stat. 1437.)


Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were contained in section 2761 of Title 50, War and National Defense, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 119–60, §3111(b)(1).