42 USC CHAPTER 149, SUBCHAPTER IX, Part E: Nuclear Energy

From Title 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARECHAPTER 149—NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY AND PROGRAMSSUBCHAPTER IX—RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Part E—Nuclear Energy

§16271. Nuclear energy

(a) Mission

(1) In general

The Secretary shall carry out programs of civilian nuclear research, development, demonstration, and commercial application, including activities under this part.

(2) Considerations

The programs carried out under paragraph (1) shall take into consideration the following objectives:

(A) Providing research infrastructure to promote scientific progress and enable users from academia, the National Laboratories, and the private sector to make scientific discoveries relevant for nuclear, chemical, and materials science engineering.

(B) Maintaining nuclear energy research and development programs at the National Laboratories and institutions of higher education, including infrastructure at the National Laboratories and institutions of higher education.

(D) Increasing confidence margins for public safety of nuclear energy systems.

(E) Reducing the environmental impact of activities relating to nuclear energy.

(F) Supporting technology transfer from the National Laboratories to the private sector.

(G) Enabling the private sector to partner with the National Laboratories to demonstrate novel reactor concepts for the purpose of resolving technical uncertainty associated with the objectives described in subparagraphs (A) through (F).

(b) Definitions

In this part:

(1) Advanced nuclear reactor

The term "advanced nuclear reactor" means—

(A) a nuclear fission reactor, including a prototype plant (as defined in sections 50.2 and 52.1 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations)), with significant improvements compared to reactors operating on December 27, 2020, including improvements such as—

(i) additional inherent safety features;

(ii) lower waste yields;

(iii) improved fuel and material performance;

(iv) increased tolerance to loss of fuel cooling;

(v) enhanced reliability or improved resilience;

(vi) increased proliferation resistance;

(vii) increased thermal efficiency;

(viii) reduced consumption of cooling water and other environmental impacts;

(ix) the ability to integrate into electric applications and nonelectric applications;

(x) modular sizes to allow for deployment that corresponds with the demand for electricity or process heat; and

(xi) operational flexibility to respond to changes in demand for electricity or process heat and to complement integration with intermittent renewable energy or energy storage;

(B) a fusion reactor; and

(2) Commission

The term "Commission" means the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

(3) Fast neutron

The term "fast neutron" means a neutron with kinetic energy above 100 kiloelectron volts.

(4) National Laboratory

(A) In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term "National Laboratory" has the meaning given the term in section 15801 of this title.

(B) Limitation

With respect to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Sandia National Laboratories, the term "National Laboratory" means only the civilian activities of the laboratory.

(5) Neutron flux

The term "neutron flux" means the intensity of neutron radiation measured as a rate of flow of neutrons applied over an area.

(6) Neutron source

The term "neutron source" means a research machine that provides neutron irradiation services for—

(A) research on materials sciences and nuclear physics; and

(B) testing of advanced materials, nuclear fuels, and other related components for reactor systems.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §951, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 884; Pub. L. 115–248, §2(a), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3154; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2002, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2459; Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title X, §41002(b)(1), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1127.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 117–58 added subpar. (C).

2020—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 116–260 amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) defined the term "advanced nuclear reactor".

2018—Pub. L. 115–248 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to civilian nuclear energy research programs and authorizations of appropriations to carry out such programs.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of this title.

§16272. Reactor concepts research, development, demonstration, and commercial application

(a) Sustainability program for light water reactors

(1) In general

The Secretary shall carry out a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application, including through the use of modeling and simulation, to support existing operating nuclear power plants which shall address technologies to modernize and improve, with respect to such plants—

(A) reliability;

(B) capacity;

(D) safety;

(E) physical security and security costs;

(F) plant lifetime;

(G) operations and maintenance costs, including by utilizing risk-informed systems analysis;

(H) the ability for plants to operate flexibly;

(I) nuclear integrated energy system applications described in subsection (c);

(J) efficiency;

(K) environmental impacts; and

(L) resilience.

(2) Isotope demonstration evaluation

(A) In general

Not later than 1 year after August 9, 2022, the Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, shall evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of establishing and, if feasible, is authorized to establish an isotope demonstration subprogram of the program established under paragraph (1) to support the development and commercial demonstration of critical radioactive and stable isotope production in existing commercial nuclear power plants.

(B) Consultation

The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, shall consult with the Director of the Office of Science in carrying out the evaluation under subparagraph (A).

(C) Definition of critical radioactive and stable isotope

In this paragraph, the term "critical radioactive and stable isotope" has the meaning given the term in section 18649(a) of this title.

(3) Report

The Secretary shall submit annually a public report to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate documenting funds spent under the program that describes program activities, objectives, and outcomes, including those that could benefit the entirety of the existing reactor fleet, such as with respect to aging management and related sustainability concerns, and identifying funds awarded to private entities.

(4) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program under this subsection $55,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

(b) Advanced reactor technologies

(1) In general

The Secretary shall carry out a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to support advanced reactor technologies.

(2) Requirements

In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall—

(A) prioritize designs for advanced nuclear reactors that are proliferation resistant and passively safe, including designs that, compared to reactors operating on December 27, 2020—

(i) are economically competitive with other electric power generation plants;

(ii) have higher efficiency, lower cost, less environmental impacts, increased resilience, and improved safety;

(iii) use fuels that are proliferation resistant and have reduced production of high-level waste per unit of output; and

(iv) use advanced instrumentation and monitoring systems;

(B) consult with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on appropriate metrics to consider for the criteria specified in subparagraph (A);

(C) support research and development to resolve materials challenges relating to extreme environments, including environments that contain high levels of—

(i) radiation fluence;

(ii) temperature;

(iii) pressure; and

(iv) corrosion;

(D) support research and development to aid in the qualification of advanced fuels, including fabrication techniques;

(E) support activities that address near-term challenges in modeling and simulation to enable accelerated design of and licensing of advanced nuclear reactors, including the identification of tools and methodologies for validating such modeling and simulation efforts;

(F) develop technologies, including technologies to manage, reduce, or reuse nuclear waste;

(G) ensure that nuclear research infrastructure is maintained or constructed, including—

(i) currently operational research reactors at the National Laboratories and institutions of higher education;

(ii) hot cell research facilities;

(iii) a versatile fast neutron source; and

(iv) advanced coolant testing facilities, including coolants such as lead, sodium, gas, and molten salt;

(H) improve scientific understanding of nonlight water coolant physics and chemistry;

(I) develop advanced sensors and control systems, including the identification of tools and methodologies for validating such sensors and systems;

(J) investigate advanced manufacturing and advanced construction techniques and materials to reduce the cost of advanced nuclear reactors, including the use of digital twins and of strategies to implement project and construction management best practices, and study the effects of radiation and corrosion on materials created with these techniques;

(K) consult with the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration to integrate reactor safeguards and security into design;

(L) support efforts to reduce any technical barriers that would prevent commercial application of advanced nuclear energy systems; and

(M) develop various safety analyses and emergency preparedness and response methodologies.

(3) Coordination

The Secretary shall coordinate with individuals engaged in the private sector and individuals who are experts in nuclear nonproliferation, environmental and public health and safety, and economics to advance the development of various designs of advanced nuclear reactors. In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall convene an advisory committee of such individuals and such committee shall submit annually a report to the relevant committees of Congress with respect to the progress of the program.

(4) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program under this subsection $55,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

(c) Nuclear integrated energy systems research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program

(1) In general

The Secretary shall carry out a program of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application to develop nuclear integrated energy systems, composed of 2 or more co-located or jointly operated subsystems of energy generation, energy storage, or other technologies and in which not less than 1 such subsystem is a nuclear energy system, to—

(A) reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both the power and nonpower sectors; and

(B) maximize energy production and efficiency.

(2) Coordination

In carrying out the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall coordinate with—

(A) relevant program offices within the Department of Energy;

(B) National Laboratories;

(D) the private sector.

(3) Focus areas

The program under paragraph (1) may include research, development, demonstration, or commercial application of nuclear integrated energy systems with respect to—

(A) desalination technologies and processes;

(B) hydrogen or other liquid and gaseous fuel or chemical production;

(D) district heating;

(E) heat or electricity generation and storage;

(F) carbon capture, use, utilization, and storage;

(G) microgrid or island applications;

(H) integrated systems modeling, analysis, and optimization, inclusive of different configurations of integrated energy systems; and

(I) integrated design, planning, building, and operation of systems with existing infrastructure, including interconnection requirements with the electric grid, as appropriate.

(4) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program under this subsection—

(A) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;

(B) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;

(D) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and

(E) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §952, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 885; Pub. L. 115–248, §2(b)(1), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3155; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2003(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2459; Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title I, §10110(b), Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1454; Pub. L. 117–263, div. E, title LIX, §5914(1), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3449.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 117–167, §10110(b)(2), added par. (2). Former par. (2) redesignated (4).

Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 117–263 substituted "shall evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of establishing and, if feasible, is authorized to establish" for "shall evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of the establishment of".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 117–167, §10110(b)(1), redesignated par. (2) as (4) and transferred it to appear after par. (3).

2020—Pub. L. 116–260 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to nuclear energy research programs.

2018—Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 115–248 redesignated subsecs. (d) and (e) as (c) and (d), respectively, and struck out former subsec. (c) which related to establishment and administration of a Nuclear Power 2010 Program.

§16273. Fuel cycle research, development, demonstration, and commercial application

(a) Used nuclear fuel research, development, demonstration, and commercial application

(1) In general

The Secretary shall conduct an advanced fuel cycle research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program to improve fuel cycle performance, minimize environmental and public health and safety impacts, and support a variety of options for used nuclear fuel storage, use, and disposal, including advanced nuclear reactor and non-reactor concepts (such as radioisotope power systems), which may include—

(A) dry cask storage;

(B) consolidated interim storage;

(D) used nuclear fuel transportation;

(E) integrated waste management systems;

(F) vitrification;

(G) fuel recycling and transmutation technologies, including advanced reprocessing technologies such as electrochemical and molten salt technologies, and advanced redox extraction technologies;

(H) advanced materials to be used in subparagraphs (A) through (G); and

(I) other areas as determined by the Secretary.

(2) Requirements

In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall—

(A) ensure all activities and designs incorporate state of the art safeguards technologies and techniques to reduce risk of proliferation;

(B) consult with the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration to integrate safeguards and security by design;

(C) consider the potential benefits and other impacts of those activities for civilian nuclear applications, environmental health and safety, and national security, including consideration of public consent; and

(D) consider the economic viability of all activities and designs.

(3) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program under this subsection $60,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

(b) Advanced fuels

(1) In general

The Secretary shall conduct an advanced fuels research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program on next-generation light water reactor and advanced reactor fuels that demonstrate the potential for improved—

(A) performance;

(B) accident tolerance;

(D) use of resources;

(E) environmental impact; and

(F) economics.

(2) Requirements

In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall focus on the development of advanced technology fuels, including fabrication techniques, that offer improved accident-tolerance and economic performance with the goal of initial commercial application by December 31, 2025.

(3) Report

Not later than 180 days December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that describes how the technologies and concepts studied under this program would impact reactor economics, the fuel cycle, operations, safety, proliferation, and the environment.

(4) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program under this subsection $125,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §953, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 886; Pub. L. 115–248, §2(c), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3155; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2003(b), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2462.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2020—Pub. L. 116–260 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to advanced fuel cycle initiative.

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–248 struck out ", acting through the Director of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology," after "The Secretary".

§16274. Nuclear science and engineering support

(a) University nuclear science and engineering support

(1) In general

The Secretary shall conduct a program to invest in human resources and infrastructure in the nuclear sciences and related fields, including health physics, nuclear engineering, and radiochemistry, consistent with missions of the Department related to civilian nuclear research, development, demonstration, and commercial application.

(2) Requirements

In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall—

(A) conduct a graduate and undergraduate fellowship program to attract new and talented students, which may include fellowships for students to spend time at National Laboratories in the areas of nuclear science, engineering, and health physics with a member of the National Laboratory staff acting as a mentor;

(B) conduct a junior faculty research initiation grant program to assist universities in recruiting and retaining new faculty in the nuclear sciences and engineering by awarding grants to junior faculty for research on issues related to nuclear energy engineering and science;

(C) support fundamental nuclear sciences, engineering, and health physics research through a nuclear engineering education and research program;

(D) promote collaborations, partnerships, and knowledge sharing between institutions of higher education, National Laboratories, other Federal agencies, industry, and associated labor unions; and

(E) support communication and outreach related to nuclear science, engineering, and health physics.

(3) University-National Laboratory interactions

The Secretary shall conduct—

(A) a fellowship program for professors at universities to spend sabbaticals at National Laboratories in the areas of nuclear science and technology; and

(B) a visiting scientist program in which National Laboratory staff can spend time in academic nuclear science and engineering departments.

(4) Strengthening university research and training reactors and associated infrastructure

(A) In general.—In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary may support—

(i) converting research reactors from high-enrichment fuels to low-enrichment fuels and upgrading operational instrumentation;

(ii) revitalizing and upgrading existing nuclear science and engineering infrastructure that support the development of advanced nuclear technologies and applications;

(iii) regional or subregional university-led consortia to—

(I) broaden access to university research reactors;

(II) enhance existing university-based nuclear science and engineering infrastructure; and

(III) provide project management, technical support, quality engineering and inspections, manufacturing, and nuclear material support;

(iv) student training programs, in collaboration with the United States nuclear industry, in relicensing and upgrading reactors, including through the provision of technical assistance; and

(v) reactor improvements that emphasize research, training, and education, including through the Innovations in Nuclear Infrastructure and Education Program or any similar program.

(B) Of any amounts appropriated to carry out the program under this subsection, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) $55,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

(5) Advanced nuclear research infrastructure enhancement

(A) In general

The Secretary shall carry out a subprogram to be known as the Advanced Nuclear Research Infrastructure Enhancement Subprogram in order to—

(i) demonstrate various advanced nuclear reactor and nuclear microreactor concepts;

(ii) establish medical isotope production reactors or other specialized applications; and

(iii) advance other research infrastructure that, in the determination of the Secretary, is consistent with the mission of the Department.

(B) New nuclear science and engineering facilities

In carrying out the subprogram, the Secretary shall establish—

(i) not more than 4 new research reactors; and

(ii) new nuclear science and engineering facilities, as required to address research demand and identified infrastructure gaps.

(C) Locations

New research reactors and facilities established under subparagraph (B) shall be established in a manner that—

(i) supports the regional or subregional consortia described in paragraph (4)(C); ¹ and

(ii) encourages the participation of—

(I) historically Black colleges and universities;

(II) Tribal colleges or universities;

(III) minority-serving institutions;

(IV) EPSCoR universities; and

(V) junior or community colleges.

(D) Fuel requirements

New research reactors established under subparagraph (B) shall not use high-enriched uranium, as defined in section 16281 of this title.

(E) Fuel services

The Research Reactor Infrastructure subprogram within the Radiological Facilities Management program of the Department, as authorized by paragraph (6), shall be expanded to provide fuel services to research reactors established by this paragraph.

(F) Authorization of appropriations

Of any amounts appropriated to carry out the program under this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the subprogram under this paragraph—

(i) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;

(ii) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;

(iii) $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;

(iv) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and

(v) $140,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.

(6) Radiological facilities management

(A) In general

The Secretary shall carry out a program under which the Secretary shall provide project management, technical support, quality engineering and inspection, and nuclear material handling support to research reactors located at universities.

(B) Authorization of appropriations

Of any amounts appropriated to carry out the program under this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program under this paragraph $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

(7) Nuclear energy university program

In carrying out the programs under this section, the Department shall, to the maximum extent practicable, allocate 20 percent of funds appropriated to nuclear energy research and development programs annually, excluding funds appropriated for the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program of the Department, to fund university-led research and university infrastructure projects through an open, competitive solicitation process.

(8) Operations and maintenance

Funding for a project provided under this subsection may be used for a portion of the operating and maintenance costs of a research reactor at a university used in the project.

(9) Definitions

In this subsection:

(A) Junior faculty

The term "junior faculty" means a faculty member who was awarded a doctorate less than 10 years before receipt of an award from the grant program described in paragraph (2)(B).

(B) Junior or community college

The term "junior or community college" means—

(i) a public institution of high education, including additional locations, at which the highest awarded degree, or the predominantly awarded degree, is an associate degree; or

(ii) any Tribal college or university (as defined in section 1059c of title 20).

(C) EPSCoR university

The term "EPSCoR university" means an institution of higher education located in a State eligible to participate in the program defined in section 502 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 (42 U.S.C. 1862p note).

(D) Historically Black college or university

The term "historically Black college or university" has the meaning given the term "part B institution" in section 1061 of title 20.

(E) Minority-serving institution

The term "minority-serving institution" means a Hispanic-serving institution, an Alaska Native-serving institution, a Native Hawaiian-serving institution, a Predominantly Black Institution, an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution, or a Native American-serving nontribal institution as described in section 1067q of title 20.

(F) Tribal College or University

The term "Tribal College or University" has the meaning given such term in section 1059c of title 20.

(b) Nuclear energy traineeship subprogram

(1) Establishment

In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a nuclear energy traineeship subprogram under which the Secretary shall competitively award traineeships in coordination with universities to provide focused, advanced training to meet critical mission needs of the Department, including in industries that are represented by skilled labor unions.

(2) Requirements

In carrying out the subprogram under this subsection, the Secretary shall—

(A) encourage appropriate partnerships among National Laboratories, affected universities, community colleges, trade schools, registered apprenticeship programs, pre-apprenticeship programs, and industry; and

(B) on an annual basis, evaluate the needs of the nuclear energy community to implement traineeships for focused topical areas addressing mission-specific workforce needs.

(A) Focus areas.— ² In carrying out the subprogram under this subsection, the Secretary may implement traineeships in focus areas that, in the determination of the Secretary, are necessary to support the nuclear energy sector in the United States, including—

(i) research and development;

(ii) construction and operation;

(iii) associated supply chains; and

(iv) workforce training and retraining to support transitioning workforces.

(4) Authorization of appropriations ³

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the subprogram under this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §954, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 886; Pub. L. 115–248, §2(d), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3155; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2003(c), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2463; Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title X, §41002(b)(2), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1128; Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VI, §§10743, 10744, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1718, 1719; Pub. L. 117–263, div. E, title LIX, §5914(2), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3449; Pub. L. 118–31, div. C, title XXXI, §3131(p)(2), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 803.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 502 of the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, referred to in subsec. (a)(9)(C), is section 502 of Pub. L. 111–358, which is set out as a note under section 1862p of this title.

Amendments

2023—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 118–31, §3131(p)(2)(A), struck out "graduate" before "traineeship" in heading.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 118–31, §3131(p)(2)(B), struck out "graduate" before "traineeship" and before "traineeships".

Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 118–31, §3131(p)(2)(F), added subpar. (A) relating to focus areas. Amendment directing addition of subpar. (A) "after paragraph (2)" was executed by adding subpar. (A) at end of par. (2).

Pub. L. 118–31, §3131(p)(2)(C), inserted "community colleges, trade schools, registered apprenticeship programs, pre-apprenticeship programs," after "affected universities," in subpar. (A) relating to appropriate partnerships among National Laboratories.

Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 118–31, §3131(p)(2)(B), struck out "graduate" before "traineeships".

Subsec. (b)(3), (4). Pub. L. 118–31, §3131(p)(2)(D), (E), substituted "2023 through 2027" for "2021 through 2025" in par. (3) and then redesignated par. (3) as (4).

2022—Subsec. (a)(2)(D). Pub. L. 117–167, §10743(1), amended subpar. (D) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (D) read as follows: "encourage collaborative nuclear research among industry, National Laboratories, and universities; and".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 117–167, §10743(2), amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary may support—

"(A) converting research reactors from high-enrichment fuels to low-enrichment fuels and upgrading operational instrumentation;

"(B) consortia of universities to broaden access to university research reactors;

"(C) student training programs, in collaboration with the United States nuclear industry, in relicensing and upgrading reactors, including through the provision of technical assistance; and

"(D) reactor improvements that emphasize research, training, and education, including through the Innovations in Nuclear Infrastructure and Education Program or any similar program."

Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 117–167, §10744(2), added par. (5). Former par. (5) redesignated (6)

Subsec. (a)(5)(E), (F). Pub. L. 117–263 added subpar. (E) and redesignated former subpar. (E) as (F).

Subsec. (a)(6) to (8). Pub. L. 117–167, §10744(1), resignated pars. (5) to (7) as (6) to (8), respectively. Former par. (8) redesignated (9).

Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 117–167, §10744(1), (3), redesignated par. (8) as (9) and amended it generally. Prior to amendment, par. defined "junior faculty".

2021—Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 117–58 inserted ", excluding funds appropriated for the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program of the Department," after "annually".

2020—Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(1), substituted "Nuclear" for "University nuclear" in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(10), designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and inserted heading.

Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(9), added pars. (5) and (6).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(11), added subsec. (b).

Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(7), redesignated subsec. (b) as par. (2).

Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(2), substituted "this subsection" for "this section" in introductory provisions, redesignated pars. (1) to (5) as subpars. (A) to (E), respectively, and realigned margins.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(7), redesignated subsec. (c) as par. (3).

Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(3), redesignated pars. (1) and (2) as subpars. (A) and (B), respectively, and realigned margins.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(7), redesignated subsec. (d) as par. (4).

Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(4), substituted "this subsection" for "this section" in introductory provisions, redesignated pars. (1) to (4) as subpars. (A) to (D), respectively, and realigned margins.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(8), redesignated subsec. (e) as par. (7). Margins realigned to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(5), substituted "this subsection" for "this section".

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(8), redesignated subsec. (f) as par. (8). Margins realigned to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(c)(6), substituted "this subsection" for "this section" and "paragraph (2)(B)" for "subsection (b)(2)".

2018—Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 115–248 substituted "that emphasize" for "as part of a taking into consideration effort that emphasizes".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Purposes

Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VI, §10742, Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1718, provided that: "The purposes of this subtitle [subtitle L (§§10741–10745) of title VI of div. B of Pub. L. 117–167, amending this section and section 16274a of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 15801 and 16274a of this title] are—

"(1) to upgrade the nuclear research capabilities of universities in the United States to meet the research requirements of advanced nuclear energy systems;

"(2) to ensure the continued operation of university research reactors;

"(3) to coordinate available resources to enable the establishment, including the start and efficient completion of construction, of new nuclear science and engineering facilities; and

"(4) to support—

"(A) workforce development critical to maintaining United States leadership in nuclear science and engineering and related disciplines; and

"(B) the establishment or enhancement of nuclear science and engineering capabilities and other, related capabilities at historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges or universities, minority-serving institutions, EPSCoR universities, junior or community colleges, and associate-degree-granting colleges."

[For definitions of terms used in section 10742 of div. B of Pub. L. 117–167, set out above, see section 18901 of this title.]

Wage Rate Requirements

¹ So in original. Probably means "paragraph (4)(A)(iii)".

² So in original. There are two subpars. (A). Probably should be designated par. (3).

³ So in original. There is no par. (3).

§16274a. University Nuclear Leadership Program

(a) In general

The Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Chairman of the Commission shall jointly establish a program, to be known as the "University Nuclear Leadership Program".

(b) Use of funds

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2) and subsection (c), amounts made available to carry out the Program shall be used to provide financial assistance for scholarships, fellowships, and research and development projects at institutions of higher education in areas relevant to the programmatic mission of the applicable Federal agency, with an emphasis on providing the financial assistance with respect to research, development, demonstration, and commercial application activities relevant to civilian advanced nuclear reactors including, but not limited to—

(A) relevant fuel cycle technologies;

(B) project management; and

(2) Exception

Notwithstanding paragraph (1), amounts made available to carry out the Program may be used to provide financial assistance for a scholarship, fellowship, or multiyear research and development project that does not align directly with a programmatic mission of the Department of Energy, if the activity for which assistance is provided would facilitate the maintenance of the discipline of nuclear science or engineering, which may include nontechnical nuclear research..¹

(c) Nuclear energy traineeship subprogram

(1) In general

The Commission shall establish, as a subprogram of the Program, a nuclear energy traineeship subprogram under which the Commission, in coordination with institutions of higher education and trade schools, shall competitively award traineeships that provide focused training to meet critical mission needs of the Commission and nuclear workforce needs, including needs relating to the nuclear tradecraft workforce.

(2) Requirements

In carrying out the nuclear energy traineeship subprogram described in paragraph (1), the Commission shall—

(A) coordinate with the Secretary of Energy to prioritize the funding of traineeships that focus on—

(i) nuclear workforce needs; and

(ii) critical mission needs of the Commission;

(B) encourage appropriate partnerships among—

(i) National Laboratories;

(ii) institutions of higher education;

(iii) trade schools;

(iv) the nuclear energy industry; and

(v) other entities, as the Commission determines to be appropriate; and

(C) on an annual basis, evaluate nuclear workforce needs for the purpose of implementing traineeships in focused topical areas that—

(i) address the workforce needs of the nuclear energy community; and

(ii) support critical mission needs of the Commission.

(d) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Advanced nuclear reactor

The term "advanced nuclear reactor" has the meaning given the term in section 16271(b) of this title.

(2) Commission

The term "Commission" means the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

(3) ² Institution of higher education

The term "institution of higher education" has the meaning given the term in section 15801 of this title.

(4) National Laboratory

The term "National Laboratory" has the meaning given the term in section 16271(b) of this title.

(5) Program

The term "Program" means the University Nuclear Leadership Program established under this section.

(3) ³ Nontechnical nuclear research

The term "nontechnical nuclear research" means research with specializations such as social sciences or law that can support an increase in community engagement, participation, and confidence in nuclear energy systems, including the navigation of the licensing required for advanced reactor deployment, aligned with the objectives in section 16271(a)(2) of this title.

(e) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program for each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025—

(1) $45,000,000 to the Secretary of Energy, of which $15,000,000 shall be for use by the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration; and

(2) $15,000,000 to the Commission.

(Pub. L. 111–8, div. C, title III, §313, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat. 627; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2003(e), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2465; Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VI, §10745(b), Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1721; Pub. L. 118–67, div. B, title IV, §402, July 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 1467.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009, and also as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009, and not as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 118–67, §402(1), struck out "Nuclear Regulatory" before "Commission".

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 118–67, §402(2), inserted "and subsection (c)" after "paragraph (2)" in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 118–67, §402(6), added subsec. (c). Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).

Pub. L. 118–67, §402(3), added pars. (1) to (4), redesignated former par. (2) as (5), and struck out former par. (1) which defined "advanced nuclear reactor" and "institution of higher education".

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 118–67, §402(5), redesignated subsec. (c) as (d).

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 118–67, §402(4), struck out "Nuclear Regulatory" before "Commission".

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 118–67, §402(5), redesignated subsec. (d) as (e).

2022—Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 117–167, §10745(b)(1), inserted ", which may include nontechnical nuclear research." after "engineering".

Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 117–167, §10745(b)(2), added par. (3).

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 117–167, §10745(b)(3), substituted "$45,000,000" for "$30,000,000".

2020—Pub. L. 116–260 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to Integrated University Program.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Purpose of 2022 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VI, §10745(a), Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1721, provided that: "The purpose of this section [amending this section] is to support a diverse workforce for the complex landscape associated with effective and equitable development of advanced nuclear energy technologies, including interdisciplinary research to enable positive impacts and avoid potential negative impacts across the lifespan of nuclear energy technologies."

¹ So in original.

² So in original. Another par. (3) follows par. (5).

³ So in original. Another par. (3) follows par. (2).

§16275. Department of Energy civilian nuclear infrastructure and facilities

(a) In general

The Secretary shall operate and maintain infrastructure and facilities to support the nuclear energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs, including radiological facilities management, isotope production, and facilities management.

(b) Duties

In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall—

(1) develop an inventory of nuclear science and engineering facilities, equipment, expertise, and other assets at all of the National Laboratories;

(2) develop a prioritized list of nuclear science and engineering plant and equipment improvements needed at each of the National Laboratories;

(3) consider the available facilities and expertise at all National Laboratories and emphasize investments which complement rather than duplicate capabilities; and

(4) develop a timeline and a proposed budget for the completion of deferred maintenance on plant and equipment, with the goal of ensuring that Department programs under this part will be generally recognized to be among the best in the world.

(c) Versatile neutron source

(1) Authorization

(A) In general

Not later than December 31, 2017, the Secretary shall provide for a versatile reactor-based fast neutron source, which shall operate as a national user facility.

(B) Consultations required

In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consult with the private sector, institutions of higher education, the National Laboratories, and relevant Federal agencies to ensure that the user facility described in subparagraph (A) will meet the research needs of the largest practicable majority of prospective users.

(2) Establishment

As soon as practicable after determining the mission need under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a detailed plan for the establishment of the user facility.

(3) Facility requirements

(A) Capabilities

The Secretary shall ensure that the user facility will provide, at a minimum, the following capabilities:

(i) Fast neutron spectrum irradiation capability.

(ii) Capacity for upgrades to accommodate new or expanded research needs.

(B) Considerations

In carrying out the plan submitted under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall consider the following:

(i) Capabilities that support experimental high-temperature testing.

(ii) Providing a source of fast neutrons at a neutron flux, higher than that at which current research facilities operate, sufficient to enable research for an optimal base of prospective users.

(iii) Maximizing irradiation flexibility and irradiation volume to accommodate as many concurrent users as possible.

(iv) Capabilities for irradiation with neutrons of a lower energy spectrum.

(v) Multiple loops for fuels and materials testing in different coolants.

(vi) Additional pre-irradiation and post-irradiation examination capabilities.

(vii) Lifetime operating costs and lifecycle costs.

(4) Deadline for establishment

The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, complete construction of, and approve the start of operations for, the user facility by not later than December 31, 2026.

(5) Reporting

The Secretary shall include in the annual budget request of the Department an explanation for any delay in the progress of the Department in completing the user facility by the deadline described in paragraph (4).

(6) Coordination

The Secretary shall leverage the best practices for management, construction, and operation of national user facilities from the Office of Science.

(7) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out to completion the construction of the facility under this section—

(A) $295,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;

(B) $348,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;

(D) $534,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and

(E) $584,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.

(d) Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear

(1) In general

In carrying out the programs under this part, the Secretary is authorized to establish a new initiative to be known as the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN). The initiative shall, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with national security, provide the nuclear energy industry with access to cutting edge research and development along with the technical, regulatory, and financial support necessary to move innovative nuclear energy technologies toward commercialization in an accelerated and cost-effective fashion. The Secretary shall make available, as a minimum—

(A) experimental capabilities and testing facilities;

(B) computational capabilities, modeling, and simulation tools;

(D) technical assistance with guidance or processes as needed.

(2) Selection

(A) In general

The Secretary shall select industry partners for awards on a competitive merit-reviewed basis.

(B) Considerations

In selecting industry partners under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider—

(i) the information disclosed by the Department as described in paragraph (1); and

(ii) any existing facilities the Department will provide for public private partnership activities.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §955, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 887; Pub. L. 115–248, §2(e), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3156; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2003(f), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2466.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2020—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(f)(1)(A), substituted "Authorization" for "Mission need" in heading.

Subsec. (c)(1)(A). Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(f)(1)(B), substituted "provide" for "determine the mission need".

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(f)(3), substituted "2026" for "2025".

Subsec. (c)(7). Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(f)(2), added par. (7).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–260, §2003(f)(4), added subsec. (d).

2018—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 115–248 added subsec. (c) and struck out former subsecs. (c) and (d) which required development of a comprehensive plan for the facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory and transmittal of the plan to Congress.

§16276. Security of nuclear facilities

The Secretary shall conduct a research and development program on cost-effective technologies for increasing—

(1) the safety of nuclear facilities from natural phenomena; and

(2) the security of nuclear facilities from deliberate attacks.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §956, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 888; Pub. L. 115–248, §2(f), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3157.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–248 struck out ", acting through the Director of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology," after "The Secretary" in introductory provisions.

§16277. High-performance computation and supportive research

(a) Modeling and simulation

The Secretary shall carry out a program to enhance the capabilities of the United States to develop new reactor technologies through high-performance computation modeling and simulation techniques.

(b) Coordination

In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall coordinate with relevant Federal agencies as described by the National Strategic Computing Initiative established by Executive Order 13702 (80 Fed. Reg. 46177 (July 29, 2015)), while taking into account the following objectives:

(1) Using expertise from the private sector, institutions of higher education, and the National Laboratories to develop computational software and capabilities that prospective users may access to accelerate research and development of advanced nuclear reactor systems and reactor systems for space exploration.

(2) Developing computational tools to simulate and predict nuclear phenomena that may be validated through physical experimentation.

(3) Increasing the utility of the research infrastructure of the Department by coordinating with the Advanced Scientific Computing Research program within the Office of Science.

(4) Leveraging experience from the Energy Innovation Hub for Modeling and Simulation.

(5) Ensuring that new experimental and computational tools are accessible to relevant research communities, including private sector entities engaged in nuclear energy technology development.

(c) Supportive research activities

The Secretary shall consider support for additional research activities to maximize the utility of the research facilities of the Department, including physical processes—

(1) to simulate degradation of materials and behavior of fuel forms; and

(2) for validation of computational tools.

(d) Duplication

The Secretary shall ensure the coordination of, and avoid unnecessary duplication of, the activities of the program under subsection (a) with the activities of—

(1) other research entities of the Department, including the National Laboratories, the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy, and the Advanced Scientific Computing Research program; and

(2) industry.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §957, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 888; Pub. L. 115–248, §2(g), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3157; Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2004, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2470.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Executive Order 13702, referred to in subsec. (b), is set out as a note under section 5501 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.

Amendments

2020—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 116–260 added subsec. (d).

2018—Pub. L. 115–248 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section related to survey and plan regarding alternatives to industrial radioactive sources.

§16278. Enabling nuclear energy innovation

(a) National Reactor Innovation Center

There is authorized a program to enable the testing and demonstration of reactor concepts to be proposed and funded, in whole or in part, by the private sector.

(b) Technical expertise

In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall leverage the technical expertise of relevant Federal agencies and the National Laboratories in order to minimize the time required to enable construction and operation of privately funded experimental reactors at National Laboratories or other Department-owned sites.

(c) Objectives

The reactors described in subsection (b) shall operate to meet the following objectives:

(1) Enabling physical validation of advanced nuclear reactor concepts.

(2) Resolving technical uncertainty and increasing practical knowledge relevant to safety, resilience, security, and functionality of advanced nuclear reactor concepts.

(3) General research and development to improve nascent technologies.

(d) Sharing technical expertise

In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Chairman of the Commission in order to share technical expertise and knowledge through—

(1) enabling the testing and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactor concepts to be proposed and funded, in whole or in part, by the private sector;

(2) operating a database to store and share data and knowledge relevant to nuclear science and engineering between Federal agencies and the private sector;

(3) developing and testing electric and nonelectric integration and energy conversion systems relevant to advanced nuclear reactors;

(4) leveraging expertise from the Commission with respect to safety analysis; and

(5) enabling technical staff of the Commission to actively observe and learn about technologies developed under the program.

(e) Agency coordination

The Chairman of the Commission and the Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding the following:

(1) Ensuring that—

(A) the Department has sufficient technical expertise to support the timely research, development, demonstration, and commercial application by the civilian nuclear industry of safe and innovative advanced nuclear reactor technology; and

(B) the Commission has sufficient technical expertise to support the evaluation of applications for licenses, permits, and design certifications and other requests for regulatory approval for advanced nuclear reactors.

(2) The use of computers and software codes to calculate the behavior and performance of advanced nuclear reactors based on mathematical models of the physical behavior of advanced nuclear reactors.

(3) Ensuring that—

(A) the Department maintains and develops the facilities necessary to enable the timely research, development, demonstration, and commercial application by the civilian nuclear industry of safe and innovative reactor technology; and

(B) the Commission has access to the facilities described in subparagraph (A), as needed.

(f) Reporting requirements

(1) In general

Not later than 180 days after September 28, 2018, the Secretary, in consultation with the National Laboratories, relevant Federal agencies, and other stakeholders, shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report assessing the capabilities of the Department to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded experimental advanced nuclear reactors as described in subsection (b).

(2) Contents

The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall address—

(A) the safety review and oversight capabilities of the Department, including options to leverage expertise from the Commission and the National Laboratories;

(B) options to regulate privately proposed and funded experimental reactors hosted by the Department;

(D) the efficacy of the available contractual mechanisms of the Department to partner with the private sector and Federal agencies, including cooperative research and development agreements, strategic partnership projects, and agreements for commercializing technology;

(E) the liability of the Federal Government with respect to the disposal of low-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, or high-level radioactive waste (as those terms are defined in section 10101 of this title);

(F) the impact on the aggregate inventory in the United States of low-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, or high-level radioactive waste (as those terms are defined in section 10101 of this title);

(G) potential cost structures relating to physical security, decommissioning, liability, and other long-term project costs; and

(H) other challenges or considerations identified by the Secretary.

(3) Updates

Once every 2 years, the Secretary shall update relevant provisions of the report submitted under paragraph (1) and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the update.

(g) Savings clauses

(1) Licensing requirement

Nothing in this section authorizes the Secretary or any person to construct or operate a nuclear reactor for the purpose of demonstrating the suitability for commercial application of the nuclear reactor unless licensed by the Commission in accordance with section 5842 of this title.

(2) Financial protection

Any activity carried out under this section that involves the risk of public liability shall be subject to the financial protection or indemnification requirements of section 2210 of this title (commonly known as the "Price-Anderson Act").

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §958, as added Pub. L. 115–248, §2(h), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3157.)

§16279. Budget plan

(a) In general

Not later than 1 year after September 28, 2018, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives 2 alternative 10-year budget plans for civilian nuclear energy research and development by the Secretary, as described in subsections (b) through (d).

(b) Budget plan alternative 1

One of the budget plans submitted under subsection (a) shall assume constant annual funding for 10 years at the appropriated level for the current fiscal year for the civilian nuclear energy research and development of the Department.

(c) Budget plan alternative 2

One of the budget plans submitted under subsection (a) shall be an unconstrained budget.

(d) Inclusions

Each alternative budget plan submitted under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) a prioritized list of the programs, projects, and activities of the Department to best support the development of advanced nuclear reactor technologies;

(2) realistic budget requirements for the Department to implement sections 16275(c), 16277, and 16278 of this title;

(3) the justification of the Department for continuing or terminating existing civilian nuclear energy research and development programs; and

(4) a description of the progress made under the programs described in section 16279a of this title.

(e) Updates

Not less frequently than once every 2 years, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate updated 10-year budget plans which shall identify, and provide a justification for, any major deviation from a previous budget plan submitted under this section.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §959, as added Pub. L. 115–248, §2(i), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3160; amended Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2005, 134 Stat. 2470.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2020—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 116–260, §2005(1), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "One of the budget plans submitted under subsection (a) shall assume constant annual funding for 10 years at the appropriated level for the civilian nuclear energy research and development of the Department for fiscal year 2016."

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 116–260, §2005(2)–(4), added par. (4).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 116–260, §2005(5), added subsec. (e).

§16279a. Advanced reactor demonstration program

(a) Demonstration project defined

For the purposes of this section, the term "demonstration project" means an advanced nuclear reactor operated in any manner, including as part of the power generation facilities of an electric utility system, for the purpose of demonstrating the suitability for commercial application of the advanced nuclear reactor.

(b) Establishment

The Secretary shall establish a program to advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of domestic advanced, affordable, nuclear energy technologies by—

(1) demonstrating a variety of advanced nuclear reactor technologies, including those that could be used to produce—

(A) safer, emissions-free power at a competitive cost of electricity compared to other new energy generation technologies on December 27, 2020;

(B) heat for community heating, industrial purposes, heat storage, or synthetic fuel production;

(D) backup or mission-critical power supplies;

(2) identifying research areas that the private sector is unable or unwilling to undertake due to the cost of, or risks associated with, the research; and

(3) facilitating the access of the private sector—

(A) to Federal research facilities and personnel; and

(B) to the results of research relating to civil nuclear technology funded by the Federal Government.

(c) Demonstration projects

In carrying out demonstration projects under the program established in subsection (b), the Secretary shall—

(1) include, as an evaluation criterion, diversity in designs for the advanced nuclear reactors demonstrated under this section, including designs using various—

(A) primary coolants;

(B) fuel types and compositions; and

(2) consider, as evaluation criterions—

(A) the likelihood that the operating cost for future commercial units for each design implemented through a demonstration project under this subsection is cost-competitive in the applicable market, including those designs configured as integrated energy systems as described in section 16272(c) of this title;

(B) the technology readiness level of a proposed advanced nuclear reactor technology;

(C) the technical abilities and qualifications of teams desiring to demonstrate a proposed advanced nuclear reactor technology; and

(D) the capacity to meet cost-share requirements of the Department;

(3) ensure that each evaluation of candidate technologies for the demonstration projects is completed through an external review of proposed designs, which review shall—

(A) be conducted by a panel that includes not fewer than 1 representative that does not have a conflict of interest of each within the applicable market of the design of—

(i) an electric utility;

(ii) an entity that uses high-temperature process heat for manufacturing or industrial processing, such as a petrochemical or synthetic fuel company, a manufacturer of metals or chemicals, or a manufacturer of concrete;

(iii) an expert from the investment community;

(iv) a project management practitioner; and

(v) an environmental health and safety expert; and

(B) include a review of each demonstration project under this subsection which shall include consideration of cost-competitiveness and other value streams, together with the technology readiness level, the technical abilities and qualifications of teams desiring to demonstrate a proposed advanced nuclear reactor technology, the capacity to meet cost-share requirements of the Department, if Federal funding is provided, and environmental impacts;

(4) for federally funded demonstration projects, enter into cost-sharing agreements with private sector partners in accordance with section 16352 of this title for the conduct of activities relating to the research, development, and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactor designs under the program;

(5) consult with—

(A) National Laboratories;

(B) institutions of higher education;

(D) potential end users of new technologies (such as users of high-temperature process heat for manufacturing processing, including petrochemical or synthetic fuel companies, manufacturers of metals or chemicals, or manufacturers of concrete);

(E) developers of advanced nuclear reactor technology;

(F) environmental and public health and safety experts; and

(G) non-proliferation experts;

(6) seek to ensure that the demonstration projects carried out under this section do not cause any delay in the progress of an advanced reactor project by private industry and the Department of Energy that is underway as of December 27, 2020;

(7) establish a streamlined approval process for expedited contracting between awardees and the Department;

(8) identify technical challenges to candidate technologies;

(9) support near-term research and development to address the highest risk technical challenges to the successful demonstration of a selected advanced reactor technology, in accordance with—

(A) paragraph (8);

(B) the research and development activities under section 16272(b) of this title; and

(10) establish such technology advisory working groups as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to advise the Secretary regarding the technical challenges identified under paragraph (8) and the scope of research and development programs to address the challenges, in accordance with paragraph (9), to be comprised of—

(A) private sector advanced nuclear reactor technology developers;

(B) technical experts with respect to the relevant technologies at institutions of higher education;

(D) environmental and public health and safety experts;

(E) non-proliferation experts; and

(F) any other entities the Secretary determines appropriate.

(d) Milestone-based demonstration projects

The Secretary may carry out demonstration projects under subsection (c) as a milestone-based demonstration project under section 7256c of this title.

(e) Nonduplication

Entities may not receive funds under this program if receiving funds from another reactor demonstration program at the Department in the same fiscal year.

(f) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program under this subsection—

(1) $405,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;

(2) $405,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;

(3) $420,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;

(4) $455,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and

(5) $455,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §959A, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2003(g)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2467.)

§16279b. International nuclear energy cooperation

The Secretary shall carry out a program—

(1) to collaborate in international efforts with respect to research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of nuclear technology that supports diplomatic, financing, nonproliferation, climate, and international economic objectives for the safe, secure, and peaceful use of such technology; and

(2) to develop collaboration initiatives with respect to such efforts with a variety of countries through—

(A) preparations for research and development agreements;

(B) the development of coordinated action plans; and

(i) the International Framework for Nuclear Energy Cooperation;

(ii) the Generation IV International Forum;

(iii) the International Atomic Energy Agency;

(iv) the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Nuclear Energy Agency; and

(v) any other international collaborative effort with respect to advanced nuclear reactor operations and safety.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §959B, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2003(h)(1), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2470.)

§16279c. Organization and administration of programs

(a) Coordination

In carrying out this part, the Secretary shall coordinate activities, and effectively manage crosscutting research priorities across programs of the Department and other relevant Federal agencies, including the National Laboratories.

(b) Collaboration

(1) In general

In carrying out this part, the Secretary shall collaborate with industry, National Laboratories, other relevant Federal agencies, institutions of higher education, including minority-serving institutions and research reactors, Tribal entities, including Alaska Native Corporations, and international bodies with relevant scientific and technical expertise.

(2) Participation

To the extent practicable, the Secretary shall encourage research projects that promote collaboration between entities specified in paragraph (1).

(c) Dissemination of results and public availability

The Secretary shall, except to the extent protected from disclosure under section 552(b) of title 5, publish the results of projects supported under this part through Department websites, reports, databases, training materials, and industry conferences, including information discovered after the completion of such projects.

(d) Education and outreach

In carrying out the activities described in this part, the Secretary shall support education and outreach activities to disseminate information and promote public understanding of nuclear energy.

(e) Technical assistance

In carrying out this part, for the purposes of supporting technical, nonhardware, and information-based advances in nuclear energy development and operations, the Secretary shall also conduct technical assistance and analysis activities, including activities that support commercial application of nuclear energy in rural, Tribal, and low-income communities.

(f) Program review

At least annually, all programs in this part shall be subject to an annual review by the Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee of the Department or other independent entity, as appropriate.

(g) Sensitive information

The Secretary shall not publish any information generated under this part that is detrimental to national security, as determined by the Secretary.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title IX, §959C, as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2006(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2471.)

§16280. Advanced Nuclear Energy Licensing Cost-Share Grant Program

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Commission

The term "Commission" means the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

(2) Program

The term "program" means the Advanced Nuclear Energy Cost-Share Grant Program established under subsection (b).

(3) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Energy.

(b) Establishment

The Secretary shall establish a grant program, to be known as the "Advanced Nuclear Energy Cost-Share Grant Program", under which the Secretary shall make cost-share grants to applicants for the purpose of funding a portion of the Commission fees of the applicant for pre-application review activities and application review activities.

(c) Requirement

The Secretary shall seek out technology diversity in making grants under the program.

(d) Cost-share amount

The Secretary shall determine the cost-share amount for each grant under the program in accordance with section 16352 of this title.

(e) Use of funds

A recipient of a grant under the program may use the grant funds to cover Commission fees, including those fees associated with—

(1) developing a licensing project plan;

(2) obtaining a statement of licensing feasibility;

(3) reviewing topical reports; and

(4) other—

(A) pre-application review activities;

(B) application review activities; and

(Pub. L. 115–248, §3, Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3160.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act of 2017, and not as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which comprises this chapter.

§16281. Advanced nuclear fuel availability

(a) Program

(1) Establishment

The Secretary shall establish and carry out, through the Office of Nuclear Energy, a program to support the availability of HA–LEU for civilian domestic research, development, demonstration, and commercial use.

(2) Program elements

In carrying out the program under paragraph (1), the Secretary—

(A) shall develop, in consultation with the Commission, criticality benchmark data to assist the Commission in—

(i) the licensing and regulation of special nuclear material fuel fabrication and enrichment facilities under part 70 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations; and

(ii) certification of transportation packages under part 71 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations;

(B) shall conduct research and development, and provide financial assistance to assist commercial entities, to design and license transportation packages for HA–LEU, including canisters for metal, gas, and other HA–LEU compositions;

(i) by January 1, 2024, support commercial entity submission of such transportation package designs to the Commission for certification by the Commission under part 71 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations; and

(ii) encourage the Commission to have such transportation package designs so certified by the Commission within 24 months after receipt of an application;

(D) shall consider options for acquiring or providing HA–LEU from a stockpile of uranium owned by the Department, or using enrichment technology, to make available to members of the consortium established pursuant to subparagraph (F) for commercial use or demonstration projects, taking into account cost and amount of time required, and prioritizing methods that would produce usable HA–LEU the quickest, including options for acquiring or providing HA–LEU—

(i) that—

(I) directly meets the needs of an end user; and

(II) has been previously used or fabricated for another purpose;

(ii) that meets the needs of an end user after having radioactive or other contaminants that resulted from a previous use or fabrication of the fuel for research, development, demonstration, or deployment activities of the Department removed;

(iii) that is produced from high-enriched uranium that is blended with lower assay uranium to become HA–LEU to meet the needs of an end user;

(iv) that is produced by Department research, development, and demonstration activities;

(v) that is produced in the United States by—

(I) a United States-owned commercial entity operating United States-origin technology;

(II) a United States-owned commercial entity operating a foreign-origin technology; or

(III) a foreign-owned entity operating a foreign-origin technology;

(vi) that does not require extraction of uranium or development of uranium from lands managed by the Federal Government, cause harm to the natural or cultural resources of Tribal communities or sovereign Native Nations, or result in degraded ground or surface water quality on publicly managed or privately owned lands; or

(vii) that does not negatively impact the availability of HA–LEU by the Department to support the production of medical isotopes, including the medical isotopes defined under the American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2012 (Public Law 112–239; 126 Stat. 2211);

(E) not later than 1 year after December 27, 2020, and biennially thereafter, shall conduct a survey of stakeholders to estimate the quantity of HA–LEU necessary for domestic commercial use for each of the 5 subsequent years;

(F) shall establish, and from time to time update, a consortium, which may include entities involved in any stage of the nuclear fuel cycle, to partner with the Department to support the availability of HA–LEU for civilian domestic demonstration and commercial use, including by—

(i) providing information to the Secretary for purposes of surveys conducted under subparagraph (E);

(ii) purchasing HA–LEU made available by the Secretary to members of the consortium for commercial use under the program; and

(iii) carrying out demonstration projects using HA–LEU provided by the Secretary under the program;

(G) if applicable, shall, prior to acquiring or providing HA–LEU under subparagraph (H), in coordination with the consortium established pursuant to subparagraph (F), develop a schedule for cost recovery of HA–LEU made available to members of the consortium using HA–LEU for commercial use pursuant to subparagraph (H);

(H) shall, beginning not later than 3 years after the establishment of a consortium under subparagraph (F), have the capability to acquire or provide HA–LEU, in order to make such HA–LEU available to members of the consortium beginning not later than January 1, 2026, in amounts that are consistent, to the extent practicable, with—

(i) the quantities estimated under the surveys conducted under subparagraph (E); plus

(ii) the quantities necessary for demonstration projects carried out under the program, as determined by the Secretary;

(I) shall, for advanced reactor demonstration projects, prioritize the provision of HA–LEU made available under this section through a merit-based, competitive selection process; and

(J) shall seek to ensure that the activities carried out under this section do not cause any delay in the progress of any HA–LEU project between private industry and the Department that is underway as of December 27, 2020.

(3) Applicability of USEC Privatization Act

(A) Sale or transfer to consortium

The requirements of section 3112 of the USEC Privatization Act (42 U.S.C. 2297h–10), except for the requirements of subparagraph (A) of section 3112(d)(2), shall not apply to the provision of enrichment services, or the sale or transfer of HA–LEU for commercial use by the Secretary to a member of the consortium under this subsection.

(B) Demonstration

HA–LEU made available to members of the consortium established pursuant to paragraph (2)(F) for demonstration projects shall remain the property of and title will remain with the Department, which shall be responsible for the storage, use, and disposition of all radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel created by the irradiation, processing, or purification of such uranium, and shall not be subject to the requirements of a sale or transfer of uranium under sections 3112, except for the requirements of subparagraph (A) of section 3112, and 3113 of the USEC Privatization Act (42 U.S.C. 2297h–10; 42 U.S.C. 2297h–11).

(4) National security needs

The Secretary shall only make available to a member of the consortium under this section for commercial or demonstration project use material that the President has determined is not necessary for national security needs, provided that this available material shall not include any material that the Secretary may determine to be necessary for the National Nuclear Security Administration or other critical Departmental missions.

(5) DOE acquisition of HA–LEU

The Secretary may not make commitments under this section (including cooperative agreements (used in accordance with section 6305 of title 31), purchase agreements, guarantees, leases, service contracts, or any other type of commitment) for the purchase or other acquisition of HA–LEU unless—

(A) funds are specifically provided for such purposes in advance in subsequent appropriations Acts, and only to the extent that the full extent of anticipated costs stemming from such commitments is recorded as an obligation up front and in full at the time it is made; or

(B) such committing agreement includes a clause conditioning the Federal Government's obligation on the availability of future year appropriations.

(6) Sunset

The authority of the Secretary to carry out the program under this subsection shall expire on the earlier of—

(A) September 30, 2034; or

(B) 90 days after the date on which HA–LEU is available to provide a reliable and adequate supply for civilian domestic advanced nuclear reactors in the commercial market.

(7) Limitation

The Secretary shall not barter or otherwise sell or transfer uranium in any form in exchange for services relating to the final disposition of radioactive waste from uranium that is made available under this subsection.

(b) Reports to Congress

(1) Commission report on necessary regulatory updates

Not later than 12 months after December 27, 2020, the Commission shall submit to Congress a report that includes—

(A) identification of updates to regulations, certifications, and other regulatory policies that the Commission determines are necessary in order for HA–LEU to be commercially available, including—

(i) guidance for material control and accountability of special nuclear material;

(ii) certifications relating to transportation packaging for HA–LEU; and

(iii) licensing of enrichment, conversion, and fuel fabrication facilities for HA–LEU, and associated physical security plans for such facilities;

(B) a description of such updates; and

(2) DOE report on program to support the availability of HA–LEU for civilian domestic demonstration and commercial use

(A) In general

Not later than 180 days after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes actions proposed to be carried out by the Secretary under the program described in subsection (a)(1).

(B) Coordination and stakeholder input

In developing the report under this paragraph, the Secretary shall consult with—

(i) the Commission;

(ii) suppliers of medical isotopes that have converted their operations to use HA–LEU;

(iii) the National Laboratories;

(iv) institutions of higher education;

(v) a diverse group of entities from the nuclear energy industry;

(vi) a diverse group of technology developers;

(vii) experts in nuclear nonproliferation, environmental safety, safeguards and security, and public health and safety; and

(viii) members of the consortium created under subsection (a)(2)(F).

(C) Cost and schedule estimates

The report under this paragraph shall include estimated costs, budgets, and timeframes for all activities carried out under this section.

(D) Required evaluations

The report under this paragraph shall evaluate—

(i) the actions required to establish and carry out the program under subsection (a)(1) and the cost of such actions, including with respect to—

(I) proposed preliminary terms for contracting between the Department and recipients of HA–LEU under the program (including guidelines defining the roles and responsibilities between the Department and the recipient); and

(II) the potential to coordinate with recipients of HA–LEU under the program regarding—

(aa) fuel fabrication; and

(bb) fuel transport;

(ii) the potential sources and fuel forms available to provide uranium for the program under subsection (a)(1);

(iii) options to coordinate the program under subsection (a)(1) with the operation of the versatile, reactor-based fast neutron source under section 16279a of this title (as added by section 2003);

(iv) the ability of uranium producers to provide materials for advanced nuclear reactor fuel;

(v) any associated legal, regulatory, and policy issues that should be addressed to enable—

(I) implementation of the program under subsection (a)(1); and

(II) the establishment of an industry capable of providing HA–LEU; and

(vi) any research and development plans to develop criticality benchmark data under subsection (a)(2)(A), if needed.

(3) Alternate fuels report

Not later than 180 days after December 27, 2020, the Secretary shall, after consulting with relevant entities, including National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, and technology developers, submit to Congress a report identifying any and all options for providing nuclear material, containing isotopes other than the uranium-235 isotope, such as uranium-233 and thorium-232 to be used as fuel for advanced nuclear reactor research, development, demonstration, or commercial application purposes.

(c) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out research, development, demonstration, and transportation activities in this section—

(1) $31,500,000 for fiscal year 2021;

(2) $33,075,000 for fiscal year 2022;

(3) $34,728,750 for fiscal year 2023;

(4) $36,465,188 for fiscal year 2024; and

(5) $38,288,447 for fiscal year 2025.

(d) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Commission

The term "Commission" means the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

(2) Demonstration project

The term "demonstration project" has the meaning given such term in section 16279a of this title.

(3) HA–LEU

The term "HA–LEU" means high-assay low-enriched uranium.

(4) High-assay low-enriched uranium

The term "high-assay low-enriched uranium" means uranium having an assay greater than 5.0 weight percent and less than 20.0 weight percent of the uranium-235 isotope.

(5) High-enriched uranium

The term "high-enriched uranium" means uranium with an assay of 20.0 weight percent or more of the uranium-235 isotope.

(6) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Energy.

(Pub. L. 116–260, div. Z, title II, §2001, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 2453.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2012, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(D)(vii), is subtitle F (§3171 et seq.) of title XXXI of div. C of Pub. L. 112–239, Jan. 2, 2013, 126 Stat. 2211. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2013 Amendment note set out under section 2011 of this title and Tables.

Section 16279a of this title (as added by section 2003), referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(D)(iii), is section 16279a of this title as added by section 2003 of div. Z of Pub. L. 116–260.

Codification

Section was enacted as part of the Energy Act of 2020, and not as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Development, Qualification, and Licensing of Advanced Nuclear Fuel Concepts

Pub. L. 118–67, div. B, title IV, §404, July 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 1469, provided that:

"(a) In General.—The [Nuclear Regulatory] Commission shall establish an initiative to enhance preparedness and coordination with respect to the qualification and licensing of advanced nuclear fuel.

"(b) Agency Coordination.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [July 9, 2024], the Commission and the Secretary of Energy shall enter into a memorandum of understanding—

"(1) to share technical expertise and knowledge through—

"(A) enabling the testing and demonstration of accident tolerant fuels for existing commercial nuclear reactors and advanced nuclear reactor fuel concepts to be proposed and funded, in whole or in part, by the private sector;

"(B) operating a database to store and share data and knowledge relevant to nuclear science and engineering between Federal agencies and the private sector;

"(C) leveraging expertise with respect to safety analysis and research relating to advanced nuclear fuel; and

"(D) enabling technical staff to actively observe and learn about technologies, with an emphasis on identification of additional information needed with respect to advanced nuclear fuel; and

"(2) to ensure that—

"(A) the Department of Energy has sufficient technical expertise to support the timely research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of advanced nuclear fuel;

"(B) the Commission has sufficient technical expertise to support the evaluation of applications for licenses, permits, and design certifications and other requests for regulatory approval for advanced nuclear fuel;

"(C)(i) the Department of Energy maintains and develops the facilities necessary to enable the timely research, development, demonstration, and commercial application by the civilian nuclear industry of advanced nuclear fuel; and

"(ii) the Commission has access to the facilities described in clause (i), as needed; and

"(D) the Commission consults, as appropriate, with the modeling and simulation experts at the Office of Nuclear Energy of the Department of Energy, at the National Laboratories, and within industry fuel vendor teams in cooperative agreements with the Department of Energy to leverage physics-based computer modeling and simulation capabilities.

"(c) Report.—

"(1) In general.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress [Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate] a report describing the efforts of the Commission under subsection (a), including—

"(A) an assessment of the preparedness of the Commission to review and qualify for use—

"(i) accident tolerant fuel;

"(ii) ceramic cladding materials;

"(iii) fuels containing silicon carbide;

"(iv) high-assay, low-enriched uranium fuels;

"(v) molten-salt based liquid fuels;

"(vi) fuels derived from spent nuclear fuel or depleted uranium; and

"(vii) other related fuel concepts, as determined by the Commission;

"(B) activities planned or undertaken under the memorandum of understanding described in subsection (b);

"(C) an accounting of the areas of research needed with respect to advanced nuclear fuel; and

"(D) any other challenges or considerations identified by the Commission.

"(2) Consultation.—In developing the report under paragraph (1), the Commission shall seek input from—

"(A) the Secretary of Energy;

"(B) National Laboratories;

"(C) the nuclear energy industry;

"(D) technology developers;

"(E) nongovernmental organizations; and

"(F) other public stakeholders."

[For definitions of terms used in section 404 of Pub. L. 118–67, set out above, see section 2 of Pub. L. 118–67, set out as a note under section 2011 of this title.]

Receipts To Be Credited to American Energy Independence Fund

Pub. L. 118–42, div. D, title III, §312(a), Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 210, provided in part: "That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, receipts from the sale or transfer of LEU and HALEU or from any other transaction in connection with the amounts repurposed, transferred, or otherwise made available pursuant to this section shall hereafter be credited to the 'American Energy Independence Fund' as discretionary offsetting collections and shall be available, for the same purposes as funds repurposed or transferred pursuant to this section, to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts: Provided further, That receipts may hereafter be collected from transactions entered into pursuant to section 2001(a)(2)(F)(iii) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 16281(a)(2)(F)(iii)) and, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, receipts from any transaction entered into pursuant to section 2001(a)(2)(F)(ii) and (iii) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 16281(a)(2)(F)(ii) and (iii)) shall hereafter be credited to the 'American Energy Independence Fund' as discretionary offsetting collections and shall be available, for the same purposes as funds repurposed or transferred pursuant to this section, to the extent and in the amounts provided in advance in appropriations Acts".

§16282. U.S. nuclear fuel security initiative

(a) Short title

This section may be cited as the "Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023".

(b) Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) the Department should—

(A) support increased domestic production of low-enriched uranium; and

(B) accelerate efforts to establish a domestic high-assay, low-enriched uranium enrichment capability; and

(2) if domestic enrichment of high-assay, low-enriched uranium will not be commercially available at the scale needed in time to meet the needs of the advanced nuclear reactor demonstration projects of the Department, the Secretary shall consider and implement, as necessary—

(A) all viable options to make high-assay, low-enriched uranium produced from inventories owned by the Department available in a manner that is sufficient to maximize the potential for the Department to meet the needs and schedules of advanced nuclear reactor developers, without impacting existing Department missions, until such time that commercial enrichment and deconversion capability for high-assay, low-enriched uranium exists at a scale sufficient to meet future needs; and

(B) all viable options for partnering with countries that are allies or partners of the United States to meet those needs and schedules until that time.

(c) Objectives

The objectives of this section are—

(1) to support domestic production of low-enriched uranium;

(2) to expeditiously increase domestic production of high-assay, low-enriched uranium by an annual quantity, and in such form, determined by the Secretary to be sufficient to meet the needs of—

(A) advanced nuclear reactor developers; and

(B) the consortium;

(3) to ensure the availability of domestically produced, converted, enriched, deconverted, and reduced uranium in a quantity determined by the Secretary, in consultation with U.S. nuclear energy companies, to be sufficient to address a reasonably anticipated supply disruption;

(4) to address gaps and deficiencies in the domestic production, conversion, enrichment, deconversion, and reduction of uranium by partnering with countries that are allies or partners of the United States if domestic options are not practicable;

(5) to ensure that, in the event of a supply disruption in the nuclear fuel market, a reserve of nuclear fuels is available to serve as a backup supply to support the nuclear nonproliferation and civil nuclear energy objectives of the Department, including collaborative research and development activities with other Federal agencies;

(6) to support enrichment, deconversion, and reduction technology deployed in the United States; and

(7) to ensure that, until such time that domestic enrichment and deconversion of high-assay, low-enriched uranium is commercially available at the scale needed to meet the needs of advanced nuclear reactor developers, the Secretary considers and implements, as necessary—

(B) all viable options for partnering with countries that are allies or partners of the United States to meet those needs and schedules.

(d) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Advanced nuclear reactor

The term "advanced nuclear reactor" has the meaning given the term in section 16271(b) of this title.

(2) Associated entity

The term "associated entity" means an entity that—

(A) is owned, controlled, or dominated by—

(i) the government of a country that is an ally or partner of the United States; or

(ii) an associated individual; or

(B) is organized under the laws of, or otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of, a country that is an ally or partner of the United States, including a corporation that is incorporated in such a country.

(3) Associated individual

The term "associated individual" means an alien who is a national of a country that is an ally or partner of the United States.

(4) Consortium

The term "consortium" means the consortium established under section 16281(a)(2)(F) of this title.

(5) Department

The term "Department" means the Department of Energy.

(6) High-assay, low-enriched uranium; HALEU

The term "high-assay, low-enriched uranium" or "HALEU" means high-assay low-enriched uranium (as defined in section 16281(d) of this title).

(7) Low-enriched uranium; LEU

The term "low-enriched uranium" or "LEU" means each of—

(A) low-enriched uranium (as defined in section 2297h) of this title; and

(B) low-enriched uranium (as defined in section 2297h–10a(a) of this title).

(8) Programs

The term "Programs" means—

(A) the Nuclear Fuel Security Program established under subsection (e)(1);

(B) the American Assured Fuel Supply Program of the Department; and

(9) Secretary

The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Energy.

(10) U.S. nuclear energy company

The term "U.S. nuclear energy company" means a company that—

(A) is organized under the laws of, or otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of, the United States; and

(B) is involved in the nuclear energy industry.

(e) Establishment and expansion of programs

The Secretary, consistent with the objectives described in subsection (c), shall—

(1) establish a program, to be known as the "Nuclear Fuel Security Program", to increase the quantity of HALEU and, if determined to be necessary after completion of a market evaluation, LEU produced by U.S. nuclear energy companies;

(2) expand the American Assured Fuel Supply Program of the Department to ensure the availability of domestically produced, converted, enriched, deconverted, and reduced uranium in the event of a supply disruption; and

(3) establish a program, to be known as the "HALEU for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Demonstration Projects Program"—

(A) to maximize the potential for the Department to meet the needs and schedules of advanced nuclear reactor developers until such time that commercial enrichment and deconversion capability for HALEU exists in the United States at a scale sufficient to meet future needs; and

(B) where practicable, to partner with countries that are allies or partners of the United States to meet those needs and schedules until that time.

(f) Nuclear Fuel Security Program

(1) In general

In carrying out the Nuclear Fuel Security Program, the Secretary—

(A) shall—

(i) if determined to be necessary or appropriate based on the completion of a market evaluation, not later than 90 days after December 22, 2023, take actions, including cost-shared financial agreements, milestone-based payments, or other mechanisms, to support commercial availability of LEU and to promote diversity of supply in domestic uranium mining, conversion, enrichment, and deconversion capacity and technologies, including new capacity, among U.S. nuclear energy companies;

(ii) not later than 180 days after December 22, 2023, enter into 2 or more contracts with members of the consortium to begin acquiring not less than 20 metric tons per year of HALEU by December 31, 2027 (or the earliest operationally feasible date thereafter), from U.S. nuclear energy companies;

(iii) utilize only uranium produced, converted, enriched, deconverted, and reduced in—

(I) the United States; or

(II) if domestic options are not practicable, a country that is an ally or partner of the United States; and

(iv) to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the use of domestic uranium utilized as a result of that program does not negatively affect the economic operation of nuclear reactors in the United States; and

(B)(i) may not make commitments under this subsection (including cooperative agreements (used in accordance with section 6305 of title 31), purchase agreements, guarantees, leases, service contracts, or any other type of commitment) for the purchase or other acquisition of HALEU or LEU unless funds are specifically provided for those purposes in advance in appropriations Acts enacted after March 9, 2024; and

(ii) may make a commitment described in clause (i) only—

(I) if the full extent of the anticipated costs stemming from the commitment is recorded as an obligation at the time that the commitment is made; and

(II) to the extent of that up-front obligation recorded in full at that time.

(2) Considerations

In carrying out paragraph (1)(A)(ii), the Secretary shall consider and, if appropriate, implement—

(A) options to ensure the quickest availability of commercially enriched HALEU, including—

(i) partnerships between 2 or more commercial enrichers; and

(ii) utilization of up to 10-percent enriched uranium as feedstock in demonstration-scale or commercial HALEU enrichment facilities;

(B) options to partner with countries that are allies or partners of the United States to provide LEU and HALEU for commercial purposes;

(i) enrichment levels;

(ii) output levels to meet demand; and

(iii) fuel forms, including uranium metal and oxide; and

(D) options—

(i) to replenish, as necessary, Department stockpiles of uranium that were intended to be downblended for other purposes, but were instead used in carrying out activities under the HALEU for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Demonstration Projects Program;

(ii) to continue supplying HALEU to meet the needs of the recipients of an award made pursuant to the funding opportunity announcement of the Department numbered DE–FOA–0002271 for Pathway 1, Advanced Reactor Demonstrations; and

(iii) to make HALEU available to other advanced nuclear reactor developers and other end-users.

(3) Avoidance of market disruptions

In carrying out the Nuclear Fuel Security Program, the Secretary, to the extent practicable and consistent with the purposes of that program, shall not disrupt or replace market mechanisms by competing with U.S. nuclear energy companies.

(g) Expansion of the American Assured Fuel Supply Program

The Secretary, in consultation with U.S. nuclear energy companies, shall—

(1) expand the American Assured Fuel Supply Program of the Department by merging the operations of the Uranium Reserve Program of the Department with the American Assured Fuel Supply Program; and

(2) in carrying out the American Assured Fuel Supply Program of the Department, as expanded under paragraph (1)—

(A) maintain, replenish, diversify, or increase the quantity of uranium made available by that program in a manner determined by the Secretary to be consistent with the purposes of that program and the objectives described in subsection (c);

(B) utilize only uranium produced, converted, enriched, deconverted, and reduced in—

(i) the United States; or

(ii) if domestic options are not practicable, a country that is an ally or partner of the United States;

(C) make uranium available from the American Assured Fuel Supply, subject to terms and conditions determined by the Secretary to be reasonable and appropriate;

(D) refill and expand the supply of uranium in the American Assured Fuel Supply, including by maintaining a limited reserve of uranium to address a potential event in which a domestic or foreign recipient of uranium experiences a supply disruption for which uranium cannot be obtained through normal market mechanisms or under normal market conditions; and

(E) take other actions that the Secretary determines to be necessary or appropriate to address the purposes of that program and the objectives described in subsection (c).

(h) HALEU for Advanced Nuclear Reactor Demonstration Projects Program

(1) Activities

On enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall immediately accelerate and, as necessary, initiate activities to make available from inventories or stockpiles owned by the Department and made available to the consortium, HALEU for use in advanced nuclear reactors that cannot operate on uranium with lower enrichment levels or on alternate fuels, with priority given to the awards made pursuant to the funding opportunity announcement of the Department numbered DE–FOA–0002271 for Pathway 1, Advanced Reactor Demonstrations, with additional HALEU to be made available to other advanced nuclear reactor developers, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(2) Quantity

In carrying out activities under this subsection, the Secretary shall consider and implement, as necessary, all viable options to make HALEU available in quantities and forms sufficient to maximize the potential for the Department to meet the needs and schedules of advanced nuclear reactor developers, including by seeking to make available—

(A) by September 30, 2024, not less than 3 metric tons of HALEU;

(B) by December 31, 2025, not less than an additional 8 metric tons of HALEU; and

(3) Factors for consideration

In carrying out activities under this subsection, the Secretary shall take into consideration—

(A) options for providing HALEU from a stockpile of uranium owned by the Department, including—

(i) uranium that has been declared excess to national security needs during or prior to fiscal year 2023;

(ii) uranium that—

(I) directly meets the needs of advanced nuclear reactor developers; but

(II) has been previously used or fabricated for another purpose;

(iii) uranium that can meet the needs of advanced nuclear reactor developers after removing radioactive or other contaminants that resulted from previous use or fabrication of the fuel for research, development, demonstration, or deployment activities of the Department, including activities that reduce the environmental liability of the Department by accelerating the processing of uranium from stockpiles designated as waste;

(iv) uranium from a high-enriched uranium stockpile (excluding stockpiles intended for national security needs), which can be blended with lower assay uranium to become HALEU to meet the needs of advanced nuclear reactor developers; and

(v) uranium from stockpiles intended for other purposes (excluding stockpiles intended for national security needs), but for which uranium could be swapped or replaced in time in such a manner that would not negatively impact the missions of the Department;

(B) options for expanding, or establishing new, capabilities or infrastructure to support the processing of uranium from Department inventories;

(D) options for providing HALEU from domestically enriched HALEU procured by the Department through a competitive process pursuant to the Nuclear Fuel Security Program established under subsection (e)(1);

(E) options to replenish, as needed, Department stockpiles of uranium made available pursuant to subparagraph (A) with domestically enriched HALEU procured by the Department through a competitive process pursuant to the Nuclear Fuel Security Program established under subsection (e)(1); and

(F) options that combine 1 or more of the approaches described in subparagraphs (A) through (E) to meet the deadlines described in paragraph (2).

(4) Limitations

(A) Certain services

The Secretary shall not barter or otherwise sell or transfer uranium in any form in exchange for services relating to—

(i) the final disposition of radioactive waste from uranium that is the subject of a contract for sale, resale, transfer, or lease under this subsection; or

(ii) environmental cleanup activities.

(B) Certain commitments

In carrying out activities under this subsection, the Secretary—

(i) may not make commitments under this subsection (including cooperative agreements (used in accordance with section 6305 of title 31), purchase agreements, guarantees, leases, service contracts, or any other type of commitment) for the purchase or other acquisition of HALEU or LEU unless funds are specifically provided for those purposes in advance in appropriations Acts enacted after March 9, 2024; and

(ii) may make a commitment described in clause (i) only—

(I) if the full extent of the anticipated costs stemming from the commitment is recorded as an obligation at the time that the commitment is made; and

(II) to the extent of that up-front obligation recorded in full at that time.

(5) Sunset

The authority of the Secretary to carry out activities under this subsection shall terminate on the earlier of—

(A) the date on which the Secretary notifies Congress that the HALEU needs of advanced nuclear reactor developers can be fully met by commercial HALEU suppliers in the United States, as determined by the Secretary, in consultation with U.S. nuclear energy companies; and

(B) September 30, 2034.

(i) Domestic sourcing considerations

(1) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary may only carry out an activity in connection with 1 or more of the Programs if—

(A) the activity promotes manufacturing in the United States associated with uranium supply chains; or

(B) the activity relies on resources, materials, or equipment developed or produced—

(i) in the United States; or

(ii) in a country that is an ally or partner of the United States by—

(I) the government of that country;

(II) an associated entity; or

(III) a U.S. nuclear energy company.

(2) Waiver

The Secretary may waive the requirements of paragraph (1) with respect to an activity if the Secretary determines a waiver to be necessary to achieve 1 or more of the objectives described in subsection (c).

(j) Reasonable compensation

In carrying out activities under this section, the Secretary shall ensure that any LEU and HALEU made available by the Secretary under 1 or more of the Programs is subject to reasonable compensation, taking into account the fair market value of the LEU or HALEU and the purposes of this section.

(k) Nuclear Regulatory Commission

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall prioritize and expedite consideration of any action related to the Programs to the extent permitted under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) and related statutes.

(l) USEC Privatization Act

The requirements of section 3112(d)(2) of the USEC Privatization Act (42 U.S.C. 2297h–10(d)(2)) shall not apply to activities related to the Programs.

(m) National security needs

The Secretary shall only make available to a member of the consortium under this section for commercial use or use in a demonstration project material that the President has determined is not necessary for national security needs during or prior to fiscal year 2023, subject to the condition that the material made available shall not include any material that the Secretary determines to be necessary for the National Nuclear Security Administration or any critical mission of the Department.

(n) International agreements

This section shall be applied in a manner consistent with the obligations of the United States under international agreements.

(o) Report on civil nuclear credit program

Not later than 180 days after December 22, 2023, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that identifies the anticipated funding requirements for the civil nuclear credit program described in section 18753 of this title, taking into account—

(1) the zero-emission nuclear power production credit authorized by section 45U of title 26; and

(2) any increased fuel costs associated with the use of domestic fuel that may arise from the implementation of that program.

(Pub. L. 118–31, div. C, title XXXI, §3131, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 795; Pub. L. 118–42, div. D, title III, §312(c), Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 211.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Enactment of this Act, referred to in subsec. (h)(1), means the enactment of Pub. L. 118–31, which was approved Dec. 22, 2023.

The Atomic Energy Act of 1954, referred to in subsec. (k), is act Aug. 1, 1946, ch. 724, as added by act Aug. 30, 1954, ch. 1073, §1, 68 Stat. 919, which is classified principally to chapter 23 (§2011 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2011 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Section is comprised of section 3131 of Pub. L. 118–31. Pars. (1) and (2) of subsec. (p) of section 3131 of Pub. L. 118–31 amended sections 19351 and 16274 of this title, respectively.

Section was enacted as the Nuclear Fuel Security Act of 2023, and also as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024, and not as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

2024—Subsec. (f)(1)(B)(i). Pub. L. 118–42, §312(c)(1), amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: "may not make commitments under this subsection (including cooperative agreements (used in accordance with section 6305 of title 31), purchase agreements, guarantees, leases, service contracts, or any other type of commitment) for the purchase or other acquisition of HALEU or LEU unless—

"(I) funds are specifically provided for those purposes in advance in appropriations Acts enacted after December 22, 2023; or

"(II) the commitment is funded entirely by funds made available to the Secretary from the account described in subsection (j)(2)(B); and".

Subsec. (h)(4)(B)(i). Pub. L. 118–42, §312(c)(1), amended cl. (i) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows: "may not make commitments under this subsection (including cooperative agreements (used in accordance with section 6305 of title 31), purchase agreements, guarantees, leases, service contracts, or any other type of commitment) for the purchase or other acquisition of HALEU or LEU unless—

"(I) funds are specifically provided for those purposes in advance in appropriations Acts enacted after December 22, 2023; or

"(II) the commitment is funded entirely by funds made available to the Secretary from the account described in subsection (j)(2)(B); and".

Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 118–42, §312(c)(2), amended subsec. (j) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (j) consisted of pars. (1) and (2) relating to reasonable compensation for LEU and HALEU and deposit of revenues from the sale or transfer of certain fuel feed material into a revolving fund.

Part E—Nuclear Energy

§16271. Nuclear energy

(a) Mission

(1) In general

(2) Considerations

(b) Definitions

(1) Advanced nuclear reactor

(2) Commission

(3) Fast neutron

(4) National Laboratory

(A) In general

(B) Limitation

(5) Neutron flux

(6) Neutron source

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Wage Rate Requirements

§16272. Reactor concepts research, development, demonstration, and commercial application

(a) Sustainability program for light water reactors

(1) In general

(2) Isotope demonstration evaluation

(A) In general

(B) Consultation

(C) Definition of critical radioactive and stable isotope

(3) Report

(4) Authorization of appropriations

(b) Advanced reactor technologies

(1) In general

(2) Requirements

(3) Coordination

(4) Authorization of appropriations

(c) Nuclear integrated energy systems research, development, demonstration, and commercial application program

(1) In general

(2) Coordination

(3) Focus areas

(4) Authorization of appropriations

Editorial Notes

Amendments

§16273. Fuel cycle research, development, demonstration, and commercial application

(a) Used nuclear fuel research, development, demonstration, and commercial application

(1) In general

(2) Requirements

(3) Authorization of appropriations

(b) Advanced fuels

(1) In general

(2) Requirements

(3) Report

(4) Authorization of appropriations

Editorial Notes

Amendments

§16274. Nuclear science and engineering support

(a) University nuclear science and engineering support

(1) In general

(2) Requirements

(3) University-National Laboratory interactions

(4) Strengthening university research and training reactors and associated infrastructure

(5) Advanced nuclear research infrastructure enhancement

(A) In general

(B) New nuclear science and engineering facilities

(C) Locations

(D) Fuel requirements

(E) Fuel services

(F) Authorization of appropriations

(6) Radiological facilities management

(A) In general

(B) Authorization of appropriations

(7) Nuclear energy university program

(8) Operations and maintenance

(9) Definitions

(A) Junior faculty

(B) Junior or community college

(C) EPSCoR university

(D) Historically Black college or university

(E) Minority-serving institution

(F) Tribal College or University

(b) Nuclear energy traineeship subprogram

(1) Establishment

(2) Requirements

(4) Authorization of appropriations 3

(4) Authorization of appropriations ³

(3) ² Institution of higher education

(3) ³ Nontechnical nuclear research