[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2368 Reported in Senate (RS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 353
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2368
To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Policy Act of
2005 to support licensing and relicensing of certain nuclear facilities
and nuclear energy research, demonstration, and development, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 31, 2019
Mr. Coons (for himself and Ms. McSally) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
December 17, 2019
Reported by Ms. Murkowski, with an amendment and an amendment to the
title
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Policy Act of
2005 to support licensing and relicensing of certain nuclear facilities
and nuclear energy research, demonstration, and development, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>
<DELETED> This Act may be cited as the ``Nuclear Energy Renewal Act
of 2019''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 2. LIGHT WATER REACTOR SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM.</DELETED>
<DELETED> Section 621 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law
109-58; 119 Stat. 782) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) by striking ``Section'' and inserting the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(a) Amendment to Atomic Energy Act of 1954.--Section'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(b) Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the Secretary shall expand the light water
reactor sustainability program of the Department, to the
maximum extent practicable--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) to ensure the achievement of maximum
benefits from existing nuclear generation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) to accommodate the increase in
applications for nuclear power plant license renewals
expected as of the date of enactment of this
subsection;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) to enable the continued operation of
existing nuclear power plants through technology
development;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) to improve the performance and
reduce the operation and maintenance costs of nuclear
power plants; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) to promote the use of high-
performance computing to simulate nuclear reactor
processes.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the
program under this subsection $60,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2029.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 3. INCREASING SUPPORT FOR ADVANCED NUCLEAR
TECHNOLOGIES.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) Licensing by Nuclear Regulatory Commission.--Section
103 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2133) is amended--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in subsection d., in the second sentence, by
striking ``any any'' and inserting ``any''; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by inserting after subsection d. the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``e. Advanced Nuclear Facilities and Technologies.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) Definition of advanced nuclear.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--In this subsection, the
term `advanced nuclear' means, with respect to a
production facility, utilization facility, or
technology, the use of a nuclear fission reactor,
including a prototype plant (as defined in section 50.2
of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor
regulations)), that represents significant improvements
compared to the most recent generation of nuclear
fission reactors, including improvements such as--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) additional inherent safety
features;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) lower waste
yields;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) improved fuel
performance;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) increased tolerance to loss
of fuel cooling;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) enhanced
reliability;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) increased proliferation
resistance;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) increased thermal
efficiency;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(viii) reduced consumption of
cooling water;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ix) the ability to integrate
into electric applications and nonelectric
applications;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(x) modular sizes to allow for
deployment that corresponds with the demand for
electricity; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(xi) operational flexibility to
respond to changes in demand for electricity
and to complement integration with intermittent
renewable energy.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Inclusion.--In this subsection, the
term `advanced nuclear' includes, with respect to a
production facility, utilization facility, or
technology, the use of a nuclear fusion
reactor.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Establishment of program.--The Secretary of
Energy, in coordination with the Commission, shall establish
and carry out a program--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) to develop certification and
licensing criteria with respect to advanced nuclear
production facilities and utilization facilities,
including for international licensing
harmonization;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) to provide assistance to eligible
applicants with respect to the certification and
licensing of advanced nuclear production facilities and
utilization facilities; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) to establish such procedures as the
Secretary of Energy and the Commission determine to be
appropriate for general public outreach relating to
advanced nuclear technologies, production facilities,
and utilization facilities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program under
this subsection $15,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2020
through 2029.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>SEC. 4. NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATION, AND
DEVELOPMENT.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (a) In General.--Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16272) is amended by adding at the end the
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(e) Advanced Reactor Technologies Development Program.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a
program under which the Secretary shall conduct research
relating to the development of innovative nuclear reactor
technologies that may offer improved safety, functionality, and
affordability by enhancing existing nuclear
technologies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Requirements.--The program under this
subsection shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) support efforts to reduce long-term
technical barriers for advanced nuclear energy
systems;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) identify potential regulatory issues
relating to advanced nuclear reactors;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) be carried out in consultation with
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure
identification of any relevant concerns;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) support international activities
carried out pursuant to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the Generation IV
International Forum; or</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) any other international
collaborative effort with respect to advanced
nuclear reactor operations and
safety;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(E) support research and development
relating to enhancing the proliferation resistance of
nuclear technologies; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(F) support research and development
projects carried out by National Laboratories,
institutions of higher education, and other industry
entities relating to nuclear technology, including the
development of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) codes and
standards;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) sensors and
instrumentation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) probabilistic risk
assessments methods; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) other technologies to
support the development of advanced nuclear
reactor systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Areas of focus and inclusions.--The program
under this subsection shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) focus on research and development
activities relating to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) fast reactors;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) high-temperature, gas-
cooled nuclear reactors; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) molten salt reactors;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) with respect to the activities
described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph
(A), include research and development relating to
advanced fuels.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Supercritical transformational electric
power research and development.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the
program under this subsection, the Secretary shall
develop and implement a public-private cost-shared
supercritical carbon dioxide (commonly known as
`sCO<INF>2</INF>') Brayton cycle subprogram, including
research and development of supercritical carbon
dioxide technologies.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Requirement.--In carrying out the
subprogram under this paragraph, the Secretary shall
solicit and evaluate plans to encourage innovation,
support technology advances, and enhance the safety and
performance of advanced nuclear reactor
systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Technical review panel.--The
Secretary shall establish a technical review panel for
the subprogram under this paragraph, which shall carry
out consultation and collaboration with appropriate
industry entities--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) to evaluate advanced nuclear
reactor technologies;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) to identify research and
development opportunities; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) to publish information
regarding cost-shared research and development
investment decisions to facilitate
commercialization.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the
program under this subsection $120,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(f) Fuel Cycle Research and Development Program.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a
program under which the Secretary shall conduct research
relating to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) consent-based interim
storage;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) transportation of nuclear
waste;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) potential alternative disposal
options for Department-managed--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) spent nuclear fuel;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) high-level radioactive
waste; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(D) disposition alternatives for
defense-related nuclear waste.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Areas of focus.--In carrying out this
subsection, the Secretary shall focus on activities relating
to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) relevant research and development;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) integrated waste management,
including by conducting research and development
activities relating to the storage, transportation, and
disposal of used nuclear fuel and wastes generated by
existing and future fuel cycles.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the
program under this subsection $200,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(g) Material Recovery and Waste Form Development.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a
program under which the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) conduct research relating to
advanced nuclear material recovery and advanced nuclear
waste from development technologies to improve fuel
cycle performance with reductions in processing, waste
generation, and potential for material diversion;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) to the maximum extent practicable,
apply the technical expertise achieved through that
research to a broad range of programs and activities,
including activities relating to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) environmental
remediation;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) national security;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) subject to paragraph (2),
civilian nuclear applications.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Civilian nuclear applications.--Any research
carried out under this subsection relating to civilian nuclear
applications shall include research relating to improving the
economics and nonproliferation attributes of recycling light
water reactor fuels and advanced reactor fuels.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the
program under this subsection $50,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(h) Advanced Fuels.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a
program under which the Secretary shall conduct research
relating to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) next-generation light water reactor
fuels that demonstrate enhanced--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) performance; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) accident tolerance;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) fuels that demonstrate enhanced--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) proliferation resistance;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) use of resources.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the program
under this subsection, the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) focus on the development of
accident-tolerant fuel and cladding concepts that are
capable of achieving the objective of initiating core
reloads by calendar year 2025;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B)(i) develop modeling capabilities for
new fuel concepts;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) conduct studies regarding the means
by which those concepts would impact reactor economics,
the fuel cycle, operations, safety, and the
environment; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) subject to paragraph (3), publish
the studies conducted under clause (ii); and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) cooperate with institutions of
higher education through the Nuclear Energy University
and Integrated Research Projects programs of the
Department.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Sensitive information.--The Secretary shall
not publish any information under paragraph (2)(B)(iii) that is
detrimental to national security, as determined by the
Secretary.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the
program under this subsection $120,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a
program under which the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) conduct research relating to
modeling and simulation tools;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) provide access to unique nuclear
energy research capabilities through the Nuclear
Science User Facilities of the Department;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) address workforce needs in critical,
focused nuclear energy-related fields.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Support for nuclear initiatives.--The
program under this subsection shall support the goals,
objectives, and activities of the National Reactor Innovation
Center and the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear
initiative of the Department to make nuclear energy research
capabilities accessible to industry engineers and scientists
through a public-private partnership.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Crosscutting technology development
subprogram.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the
program under this subsection, the Secretary shall
establish a crosscutting technology subprogram, under
which the Secretary shall provide assistance for high-
priority research and development activities relating
to innovative solutions to nuclear energy challenges
carried out by--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) institutions of higher
education;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) National Laboratories;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) industry
entities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Requirements.--In carrying out the
subprogram established under subparagraph (A), the
Secretary shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) invest in competitive,
nuclear energy-related infrastructure
enhancement activities carried out at National
Laboratories to ensure researchers have access
to state-of-the-art research and development
resources;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) coordinate with other
research and development programs of the Office
of Nuclear Energy to ensure that developed
technologies and capabilities are part of an
integrated investment strategy, the overall
focus of which is improving safety, security,
reliability, and economics of operating nuclear
power plants; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) focus on--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) new capabilities
relating to nuclear energy research and
development;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) enabling
technologies beyond individual
programs;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) coordinating
capabilities among research and
development programs of the Office of
Nuclear Energy;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) examining new
classes of materials not considered for
nuclear applications;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(V) high-risk research,
which could potentially overcome
technological limitations;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VI) the potential for
industry partnerships to develop
technologies relating to storage,
hydrogen production, high-temperature
process heat, and other relevant
areas.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Nuclear energy advanced modeling and
simulation subprogram.--In carrying out the program under this
subsection, the Secretary shall establish a nuclear energy
advanced modeling and simulation subprogram, under which the
Secretary shall develop advanced modeling and simulation tools
to support programs carried out by the Office of Nuclear
Energy, including multiscale models of physics and chemistry
that support advanced computational methods for simulations of
nuclear energy systems.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Nuclear science user facilities
subprogram.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the
program under this subsection, the Secretary shall
establish a Nuclear Science User Facilities subprogram
under which the Secretary shall provide assistance--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) to promote the use of
nuclear research facilities; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) to encourage engagement
across institutions of higher education,
industry entities, and National Laboratories
relating to relevant nuclear science
research.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Requirements.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) In general.--The Secretary
shall provide assistance under this paragraph,
and solicit applications under clause (ii), on
an annual basis.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) Applications.--To be
eligible to receive assistance under this
paragraph for a fiscal year, an individual or
entity conducting nuclear research shall submit
to the Secretary an application that
describes--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) the research project
proposed to be carried out at a nuclear
research facility;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) timelines for the
proposed research; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) the Nuclear
Science User Facility at which the
project is proposed to be carried
out.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) Use of funds.--Assistance
provided under this paragraph may be used--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) for experiment
support and laboratory services costs;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) only at a Nuclear
Science User Facility.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) Access.--In carrying out the
subprogram under this paragraph, the Secretary shall
provide to recipients of assistance under the
subprogram no-cost access to--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the advanced test reactor of
the Idaho National Laboratory;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) post-irradiation
examination facilities at the Materials and
Fuels Complex;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) research reactors at--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) Oak Ridge National
Laboratory;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) Massachusetts
Institute of Technology; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) North Carolina
State University;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) beam line capabilities at
the Advanced Photon Source, in coordination
with the Illinois Institute of
Technology;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(v) irradiation experiment
design and fabrication capabilities at Pacific
Northwest National Laboratory;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vi) hot cells and fabrication
capabilities at Westinghouse Electric Company;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(vii) examination facilities
at--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(I) the University of
California-Berkeley;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(II) the University of
Michigan;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(III) the University of
Nevada-Las Vegas;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(IV) Purdue
University;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(V) the University at
Wisconsin; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(VI) to the maximum
extent practicable, any other
facilities needed to support the
Nuclear Science User
Facility.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(6) Nuclear energy traineeships subprogram.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) Establishment.--In carrying out the
program under this subsection, the Secretary shall
establish a nuclear energy traineeships subprogram
under which the Secretary shall establish competitively
awarded traineeships and apprenticeships in industries
that are represented by skilled labor unions and with
institutions of higher education to provide focused,
graduate-level training to meet highly focused needs
through a tailored academic graduate program that
delivers a curriculum with a rigorous thesis or
dissertation research requirement aligned with the
critical needs of the Department with respect to
mission-driven workforce.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) Requirements.--In carrying out the
subprogram under this paragraph, the Secretary shall--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) encourage appropriate
partnerships among National Laboratories,
affected institutions of higher education, and
industry; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) on an annual basis,
evaluate the needs of the nuclear energy
community to implement traineeships for focused
topical areas addressing mission-specific
workforce needs.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(7) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the
program under this subsection $150,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(j) Radiological Facilities Management.--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) 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 support to 25 research
reactors located at 24 institutions of higher
education.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Elements.--The program under this subsection
shall include--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) delivery of plate fuel elements as
required annually by the recipient research reactors,
as determined based on--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) need; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) fuel
availability;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) delivery of Training, Research,
Isotopes, General Atomics (commonly known as `TRIGA')
reactor fuel elements from recipient institutions of
higher education to used fuel receipt facilities of the
Department; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) funding for required safety upgrades
to allow resumption of research reactor fuel
fabrication operations at TRIGA International in
Romans, France.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the
program under this subsection $30,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(k) International Nuclear Energy Cooperation.--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a
program under which the Secretary shall develop bilateral
collaboration initiatives with a variety of countries through--
</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) research and development
agreements;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) other relevant arrangements and
action plan updates; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(C) maintaining existing multilateral
cooperation commitments of--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the International Framework
for Nuclear Energy Cooperation; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) the International Atomic
Energy Agency.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(2) Treatment.--The program under this
subsection shall be considered to be the lead program of the
Department with respect to international activities relating to
civil nuclear energy, including--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) analysis, development, coordination,
and implementation of international civil nuclear
energy policy; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) integration of international nuclear
technical activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(3) Subprogram.--In carrying out the program
under this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a
subprogram that shall--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) support diplomatic,
nonproliferation, climate, and international economic
objectives for the safe, secure, and peaceful use of
nuclear technology in countries developing nuclear
energy programs; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) shall be modeled after the
International Military Education and Training program
of the Department of State.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(4) Requirements.--The program under this
subsection shall be carried out--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) to facilitate, to the maximum extent
practicable, workshops and expert-based exchanges to
engage industry, stakeholders, and foreign governments
regarding international civil nuclear issues, such as
training, financing, safety, and options for
multinational cooperation on used nuclear fuel
disposal; and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) in coordination with--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(i) the National Security
Council;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(ii) the Secretary of
State;</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iii) the Secretary of Commerce;
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(iv) the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission.</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the
program under this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2029, of which $5,500,000 shall be used each
fiscal year to carry out the subprogram under paragraph
(3).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED> (b) Cost Sharing.--Section 988(b)(2) of the Energy Policy
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352(b)(2)) is amended--</DELETED>
<DELETED> (1) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``Exclusion'' and inserting ``Exclusions'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (2) by striking ``apply to'' and inserting the
following: ``apply--</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(A) to'';</DELETED>
<DELETED> (3) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by
striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or'';
and</DELETED>
<DELETED> (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED> ``(B) to programs under subsections (e)
through (k) of section 952.''.</DELETED>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Nuclear Energy Renewal Act of
2019''.
SEC. 2. LIGHT WATER REACTOR SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM.
Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16272) is
amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
``(b) Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program.--The Secretary
shall carry out a light water reactor sustainability program--
``(1) to ensure the achievement of maximum benefits from
existing nuclear generation;
``(2) to accommodate the increase in applications for
nuclear power plant license renewals expected as of the date of
enactment of this subsection;
``(3) to enable the continued operation of existing nuclear
power plants through technology development;
``(4) to improve the performance and reduce the operation
and maintenance costs of nuclear power plants;
``(5) to promote the use of high-performance computing to
simulate nuclear reactor processes;
``(6) to coordinate with other research and development
programs of the Office of Nuclear Energy to ensure that
developed technologies and capabilities are part of an
integrated investment strategy, the overall focus of which is
improving the safety, security, reliability, and economics of
operating nuclear power plants; and
``(7) to focus on--
``(A) new capabilities relating to nuclear energy
research and development;
``(B) enabling technologies beyond individual
programs;
``(C) coordinating capabilities among the research
and development programs of the Office of Nuclear
Energy;
``(D) examining new classes of materials not
considered for nuclear applications;
``(E) high-risk research, which could potentially
overcome technological limitations; and
``(F) the potential for industry partnerships to
develop technologies relating to storage, hydrogen
production, high-temperature process heat, and other
relevant areas.''.
SEC. 3. NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION.
Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16272) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Advanced Reactor Technologies Development Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program
under which the Secretary shall conduct research relating to
the development of innovative nuclear reactor technologies that
may offer improved safety, functionality, and affordability.
``(2) Requirements.--The program under this subsection
shall--
``(A) support efforts to reduce long-term technical
barriers for advanced nuclear energy systems; and
``(B) be carried out in consultation with the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure identification
of any relevant concerns.''.
SEC. 4. ADVANCED FUELS DEVELOPMENT.
Section 953 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16273) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (d) as
paragraphs (1), (3), (4), and (5), respectively, and indenting
appropriately;
(2) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)--
(A) by striking ``this section'' and inserting
``this subsection'';
(B) by striking ``minimize environmental'' and
inserting ``improve fuel cycle performance while
minimizing the cost and complexity of processing,
environmental impacts,''; and
(C) by striking ``the Generation IV'';
(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(2) Considerations.--In carrying out activities under the
program, the Secretary shall consider the potential benefits of
those activities for civilian nuclear applications,
environmental remediation, and national security.'';
(4) by inserting after paragraph (5) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program
$40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.'';
(5) by inserting before paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(a) Material Recovery and Waste Form Development.--''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Advanced Fuels.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program
to conduct research relating to--
``(A) next-generation light water reactor fuels
that demonstrate improved--
``(i) performance; and
``(ii) accident tolerance; and
``(B) advanced reactor fuels that demonstrate
improved--
``(i) proliferation resistance; and
``(ii) use of resources.
``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the program under this
subsection, the Secretary shall--
``(A) focus on the development of accident-tolerant
fuel and cladding concepts that are capable of
achieving initial commercialization by December 31,
2025;
``(B) conduct studies regarding the means by which
those concepts would impact reactor economics, the fuel
cycle, operations, safety, and the environment;
``(C) subject to paragraph (3), publish the results
of the studies conducted under subparagraph (B); and
``(D) cooperate with institutions of higher
education through the Nuclear Energy University and
Integrated Research Projects programs of the
Department.
``(3) Sensitive information.--The Secretary shall not
publish any information under paragraph (2)(C) that is
detrimental to national security, as determined by the
Secretary.
``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program
under this subsection $120,000,000 for each of fiscal years
2020 through 2024.''.
SEC. 5. NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT.
(a) In General.--Section 954 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 16274) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``University
nuclear'' and inserting ``Nuclear'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``this section'' and inserting ``this
subsection''; and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as
subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and
indenting appropriately;
(3) in subsection (c), by redesignating paragraphs (1) and
(2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting
appropriately;
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``this section'' and inserting ``this
subsection''; and
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as
subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively, and
indenting appropriately;
(5) in subsection (e), by striking ``this section'' and
inserting ``this subsection'';
(6) in subsection (f)--
(A) by striking ``this section'' and inserting
``this subsection''; and
(B) by striking ``subsection (b)(2)'' and inserting
``paragraph (2)(B)'';
(7) by redesignating subsections (a) through (f) as
paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (6), and (7), respectively, and
indenting appropriately;
(8) by inserting after paragraph (4) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(5) 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 support to research
reactors located at universities.
``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition
to any amounts appropriated to carry out the program
under this subsection, there is authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program
under this paragraph $15,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2020 through 2024.'';
(9) by inserting before paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(a) University Nuclear Science and Engineering Support.--''; and
(10) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship Subprogram.--
``(1) Establishment.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a nuclear energy
apprenticeship subprogram under which the Secretary shall
establish competitively awarded traineeships and
apprenticeships in industries that are represented by skilled
labor unions and with universities to provide focused,
graduate-level training to meet highly focused needs through a
tailored academic graduate program that delivers a curriculum
with a rigorous thesis or dissertation research requirement
aligned with the critical needs of the Department with respect
to mission-driven workforce.
``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the subprogram under
this subsection, the Secretary shall--
``(A) encourage appropriate partnerships among
National Laboratories, affected universities, 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.
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the subprogram
under this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020
through 2024.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 600) is amended by
striking the item relating to section 954 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 954. Nuclear science and engineering support.''.
SEC. 6. INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION.
(a) In General.--Subtitle H of Title IX of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16341 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 986B. INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION. --
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a program to
develop bilateral collaboration initiatives with a variety of countries
through--
``(1) research and development agreements;
``(2) other relevant arrangements and action plan updates;
and
``(3) maintaining existing multilateral cooperation
commitments of--
``(A) the International Framework for Nuclear
Energy Cooperation;
``(B) the Generation IV International Forum;
``(C) the International Atomic Energy Agency; and
``(D) any other international collaborative effort
with respect to advanced nuclear reactor operations and
safety.
``(b) Subprogram.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a subprogram that
shall--
``(A) support diplomatic, nonproliferation,
climate, and international economic objectives for the
safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technology in
countries developing nuclear energy programs, with a
focus on countries that have increased civil nuclear
cooperation with Russia and China; and
``(B) be modeled after the International Military
Education and Training program of the Department of
State.
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the subprogram
under this subsection $5,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2020
through 2024.
``(c) Requirements.--The program under subsection (a) shall be
carried out--
``(1) to facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable,
workshops and expert-based exchanges to engage industry,
stakeholders, and foreign governments regarding international
civil nuclear issues, such as training, financing, safety, and
options for multinational cooperation on used nuclear fuel
disposal; and
``(2) in coordination with--
``(A) the National Security Council;
``(B) the Secretary of State;
``(C) the Secretary of Commerce; and
``(D) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 600) is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 986A the following:
``Sec. 986B. International nuclear energy cooperation.''.
Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to amend the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 to support nuclear energy research,
development, and demonstration, and for other purposes.''.
Calendar No. 353
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2368
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Policy Act of
2005 to support licensing and relicensing of certain nuclear facilities
and nuclear energy research, demonstration, and development, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
December 17, 2019
Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title
Nuclear Energy Renewal Act of 2019
#2368 | S Congress #116
Policy Area: Energy
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovationsArms control and nonproliferationChemistryElectric power generation and transmissionEmployment and training programsEnergy efficiency and conservationEnergy researchHigher educationInternational organizations and cooperationLicensing and registrationsNuclear powerRadioactive wastes and releasesResearch administration and fundingResearch and developmentStudent aid and college costsTechnology assessment
Last Action: By Senator Murkowski from Committee on Energy and Natural Resources filed written report. Report No. 116-203. (1/9/2020)
Bill Text Source: Congress.gov
Summary and Impacts
Original Text