[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2795 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 528
114th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2795

                          [Report No. 114-285]

             To modernize the regulation of nuclear energy.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 13, 2016

 Mr. Inhofe (for himself, Mr. Booker, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Crapo, Mrs. 
 Fischer, Ms. Murkowski, Mrs. Capito, and Mr. Manchin) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                      Environment and Public Works

                             June 23, 2016

               Reported by Mr. Inhofe, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
             To modernize the regulation of nuclear energy.

    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 Innovation 
and Modernization Act''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. FINDINGS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Congress finds that--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) the safe and secure operation of nuclear 
        reactors in the United States must remain the paramount focus 
        of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the existing fleet of nuclear reactors in the 
        United States is operating safely and securely;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) nuclear energy is the largest source of 
        affordable, reliable, emissions-free energy in the United 
        States, providing approximately 20 percent of the electricity 
        consumed in the United States and 60 percent of emissions-free 
        electricity generation in the United States;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) a 1,000-megawatt nuclear plant--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) provides approximately 500 permanent 
                jobs;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) pays approximately $40,000,000 
                annually in wages;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) generates approximately $470,000,000 
                annually in goods and services in the local community; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) pays approximately $83,000,000 
                annually in Federal, State, and local taxes;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) nuclear energy is of critical importance to 
        United States energy security and worldwide influence on 
        nonproliferation;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) nuclear energy uses widely available fuel 
        resources to enable scientific progress, emissions-free and 
        reliable electricity generation, heat generation for industrial 
        applications, and power for deep space exploration;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) the private sector, the National Laboratories 
        (as defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
        U.S.C. 15801)), and institutions of higher education are 
        pursuing innovations in nuclear energy technology that will 
        play a crucial role in--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the future global and United States 
                energy supply; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the exports, manufacturing, and 
                economy of the United States;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) eventual deployment of commercial advanced 
        nuclear reactors will require--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) modernizing the regulatory framework; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) making other necessary changes to 
                facilitate the efficient, predictable, and affordable 
                deployment of advanced nuclear reactor 
                technologies;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) 2 impediments to the commercialization of 
        advanced nuclear reactors are the high costs and long durations 
        associated with applying the existing nuclear regulatory 
        framework to advanced nuclear reactors;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) license application reviews should be as 
        predictable and efficient as practicable without compromising 
        safety or security;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (11) the existing nuclear regulatory framework and 
        the requirements of that framework have not adapted to advances 
        in scientific understanding or the features and performance 
        characteristics of advanced nuclear reactor designs;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (12) the existing nuclear reactor licensing 
        process does not provide iterative feedback to manage risk as 
        needed for typical technology development and investment 
        cycles;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (13) a staged licensing structure that provides 
        clear and periodic feedback to applicants on an agreed schedule 
        will help to enable the commercialization of safer and 
        innovative technologies that will benefit the economy, national 
        security, and environment of the United States;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (14) a technology-inclusive Commission regulatory 
        framework will--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) allow greater technological 
                innovation; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) enable inventors, scientists, 
                engineers, and students to pursue licensing advanced 
                reactor concepts;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (15) further preparation by the Commission of the 
        research and test reactor licensing process will enable the 
        Commission to more efficiently process applications for 
        research and test reactors when the applications are 
        received;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (16) it is incumbent on the Commission--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to budget for adequate resources to 
                conduct licensing reviews and other work requested by 
                licensees and applicants; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) to preserve those budgeted funds to 
                ensure responsiveness to licensees and applicants in 
                recognition of the dependence of the licensees and 
                applicants on Commission approval before the benefits 
                of the technology of the licensees and applicants can 
                be realized; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (17) both prospective commercial advanced nuclear 
        reactor applicants and the existing fleet of nuclear reactors 
        in the United States would benefit from modernizing the 
        outdated fee recovery structure of the Commission to better 
        manage fluctuations in workload and the number of licensees in 
        a fair and equitable manner.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. PURPOSE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The purpose of this Act is to provide--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) a program to develop the expertise and 
        regulatory processes necessary to allow innovation and the 
        commercialization of advanced nuclear reactors; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) a revised fee recovery structure to ensure the 
        availability of resources to meet industry needs without 
        burdening existing licensees unfairly for inaccurate workload 
        projections or premature existing reactor closures.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    In this Act:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Advanced nuclear reactor.--The term ``advanced 
        nuclear reactor'' means a nuclear fission or fusion reactor, 
        including a prototype plant (as defined in sections 50.2 and 
        52.1 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations), with 
        significant improvements over existing commercial nuclear 
        reactors, including improvements such as--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) additional inherent safety 
                features;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) lower waste yields;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) greater fuel utilization;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) enhanced reliability;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) increased proliferation 
                resistance;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (F) increased thermal efficiency; 
                or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (G) ability to integrate into electric and 
                nonelectric applications.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Agreement state.--The term ``Agreement State'' 
        means any State with which the Commission has entered into an 
        effective agreement under section 274 b. of the Atomic Energy 
        Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2021(b)).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Applicant.--The term ``applicant'' means an 
        applicant for a license, certification, permit, or other form 
        of approval from the Commission for a commercial advanced 
        nuclear reactor or a research and test reactor.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Appropriate congressional committees.--The 
        term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the 
        Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
        Representatives.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the 
        Nuclear Regulatory Commission.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Corporate support costs.--The term ``corporate 
        support costs'' means expenditures for acquisitions, 
        administrative services, financial management, human resource 
        management, information management, information technology, 
        policy support, outreach, and training, as those categories are 
        described and calculated in Appendix A of the Congressional 
        Budget Justification for Fiscal Year 2017 of the 
        Commission.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (7) Licensing project plan.--The term ``licensing 
        project plan'' means a plan that describes--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the interactions between an applicant 
                and the Commission; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) project schedules and deliverables in 
                specific detail to support long-range resource planning 
                undertaken by the Commission and an 
                applicant.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (8) Regulatory framework.--The term ``regulatory 
        framework'' means the framework for reviewing requests for 
        certifications, permits, approvals, and licenses for nuclear 
        power plants.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (9) Requested activity of the commission.--The 
        term ``requested activity of the Commission'' means--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the processing of applications for--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) design certifications or 
                        approvals;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) licenses;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) permits;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) license amendments;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) license renewals;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) certificates of compliance; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vii) power uprates; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) any other activity requested by a 
                licensee or applicant.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (10) Research and test reactor.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--The term ``research and 
                test reactor'' means a reactor that--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) falls within the licensing and 
                        related regulatory authority of the Commission 
                        under section 202 of the Energy Reorganization 
                        Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5842); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) is useful in the conduct of 
                        research and development activities as licensed 
                        under section 104 c. of the Atomic Energy Act 
                        (42 U.S.C. 2134(c)).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Exclusion.--The term ``research and 
                test reactor'' does not include a commercial advanced 
                nuclear reactor.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (11) Standard design approval.--The term 
        ``standard design approval'' means the approval of a final 
        standard design or a major portion of a final design standard 
        as described in subpart E of part 52 of title 10, Code of 
        Federal Regulations.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (12) Statement of licensing feasibility.--The term 
        ``statement of licensing feasibility'' means an early-stage 
        review by the Commission that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) assesses preliminary design 
                information for consistency with applicable regulatory 
                requirements of the Commission;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) is performed on a set of topic areas 
                agreed to in the licensing project plan; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) is performed at a cost and schedule 
                agreed to in the licensing project plan.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (13) Technology-inclusive regulatory framework.--
        The term ``technology-inclusive regulatory framework'' means a 
        regulatory framework developed using methods of evaluation that 
        are flexible and practicable for application to a variety of 
        reactor technologies, including the use of risk-informed and 
        performance-based techniques and other tools and 
        methods.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (14) Topical report.--The term ``topical report'' 
        means a document submitted to the Commission that addresses a 
        technical topic related to nuclear power plant safety or 
        design.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION USER FEES AND ANNUAL 
              CHARGES THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2018.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 6101(c)(2)(A) of the Omnibus 
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 2214(c)(2)(A)) is 
amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the 
        end;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the 
        end and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) amounts appropriated to the 
                        Commission for the fiscal year for activities 
                        related to the development of a regulatory 
                        framework for advanced nuclear reactor 
                        technologies, including activities required 
                        under section 7 of the Nuclear Energy 
                        Innovation and Modernization Act.''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Repeal.--Effective October 1, 2018, section 6101 of 
the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 2214) is 
repealed.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION USER FEES AND ANNUAL 
              CHARGES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2019 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR 
              THEREAFTER.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Annual Budget Justification.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--In the annual budget 
        justification submitted by the Commission to Congress, the 
        Commission shall expressly identify anticipated expenditures 
        necessary for completion of the requested activities of the 
        Commission anticipated to occur during the applicable fiscal 
        year.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Restriction.--Budget authority granted to the 
        Commission for purposes of the requested activities of the 
        Commission shall be used solely for conducting requested 
        activities of the Commission.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Limitation on corporate support costs.--With 
        respect to the annual budget justification submitted to 
        Congress, corporate support costs, to the maximum extent 
        practicable, shall not exceed the following percentages of the 
        total budget authority of the Commission requested in the 
        annual budget justification:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) 30 percent for each of fiscal years 
                2019 and 2020.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) 29 percent for each of fiscal years 
                2021 and 2022.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) 28 percent for fiscal year 2023 and 
                each fiscal year thereafter.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Fees and Charges.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Annual assessment.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Each fiscal year, the 
                Commission shall assess and collect fees and charges in 
                accordance with paragraphs (2) and (3) in a manner that 
                ensures that, to the maximum extent practicable, the 
                amount collected is equal to an amount that 
                approximates--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) the total budget authority of 
                        the Commission for that fiscal year; 
                        less</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) the budget authority of the 
                        Commission for the activities described in 
                        subparagraph (B).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Excluded activities described.--The 
                activities referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) are the 
                following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) An activity not attributable 
                        to an existing NRC licensee or class of 
                        licensee, including those activities identified 
                        by the Commission in Table III of the final 
                        rule of the Commission entitled ``Revision of 
                        Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal Year 
                        2015'' (80 Fed. Reg. 37432 (June 30, 
                        2015)).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) Amounts appropriated for a 
                        fiscal year to the Commission--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) from the Nuclear Waste 
                                Fund established under section 302(c) 
                                of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 
                                (42 U.S.C. 10222(c));</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) for implementation of 
                                section 3116 of the Ronald W. Reagan 
                                National Defense Authorization Act for 
                                Fiscal Year 2005 (50 U.S.C. 2601 note; 
                                Public Law 108-375);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) for the homeland 
                                security activities of the Commission 
                                (other than for the costs of 
                                fingerprinting and background checks 
                                required under section 149 of the 
                                Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 
                                2169) and the costs of conducting 
                                security inspections);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (IV) for the Inspector 
                                General services of the Commission 
                                provided to the Defense Nuclear 
                                Facilities Safety Board; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (V) for any other fee-
                                relief activity described in the final 
                                rule of the Commission entitled 
                                ``Revision of Fee Schedules; Fee 
                                Recovery for Fiscal Year 2015'' (80 
                                Fed. Reg. 37432 (June 30, 
                                2015)).</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) Costs for activities related 
                        to the development of regulatory infrastructure 
                        for advanced nuclear reactor technologies, 
                        including activities required under section 
                        7.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Exception.--The exclusion described in 
                subparagraph (B)(iii) shall cease to be effective on 
                January 1, 2030.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) Report.--Not later than December 31, 
                2028, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on 
                Appropriations and the Committee on Environment and 
                Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on 
                Appropriations and the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
                of the House of Representatives a report describing the 
                views of the Commission on the continued 
                appropriateness and necessity of the funding described 
                in subparagraph (B)(iii).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Fees for service or thing of value.--In 
        accordance with section 9701 of title 31, United States Code, 
        the Commission shall charge fees to any person who receives a 
        service or thing of value from the Commission to cover the 
        costs to the Commission of providing the service or thing of 
        value.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Annual fees.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                (B) and except as provided in subparagraph (D), the 
                Commission may charge to any licensee or certificate 
                holder of the Commission an annual fee.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) Cap on annual fees of certain 
                licensees.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) In general.--The annual fee 
                        under subparagraph (A) charged to an operating 
                        reactor licensee shall not exceed the annual 
                        fee amount per operating reactor licensee 
                        established in the final rule of the Commission 
                        entitled ``Revision of Fee Schedules; Fee 
                        Recovery for Fiscal Year 2015'' (80 Fed. Reg. 
                        37432 (June 30, 2015)), as may be adjusted 
                        annually by the Commission to reflect changes 
                        in the Consumer Price Index published by the 
                        Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of 
                        Labor.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) Waiver.--If the Commission 
                        determines that the annual fee cap described in 
                        clause (i) may compromise the safety and 
                        security missions of the Commission, the 
                        Commission shall--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) notify the Committee 
                                on Appropriations and the Committee on 
                                Environment and Public Works of the 
                                Senate and the Committee on 
                                Appropriations and the Committee on 
                                Energy and Commerce of the House of 
                                Representatives of the determination, 
                                including a detailed explanation of the 
                                cause and circumstances; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) request from Congress 
                                a 1-year waiver of the cap.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) Amount per licensee.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) In general.--The Commission 
                        shall establish by rule a schedule of fees 
                        fairly and equitably allocating the aggregate 
                        amount of charges described in subparagraph (A) 
                        among licensees and certificate 
                        holders.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) Requirement.--The schedule of 
                        fees under clause (i)--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) to the maximum extent 
                                practicable, shall be based on the cost 
                                of providing regulatory services; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) may be based on the 
                                allocation of the resources of the 
                                Commission among licensees or 
                                certificate holders or classes of 
                                licensees or certificate 
                                holders.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) Exemption.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) Definition of research 
                        reactor.--In this subparagraph, the term 
                        ``research reactor'' means a nuclear reactor 
                        that--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) is licensed by the 
                                Commission under section 104 c. of the 
                                Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 
                                2134(c)) for operation at a thermal 
                                power level of not more than 10 
                                megawatts; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) if licensed under 
                                subclause (I) for operation at a 
                                thermal power level of more than 1 
                                megawatt, does not contain--</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    (aa) a circulating 
                                        loop through the core in which 
                                        the licensee conducts fuel 
                                        experiments;</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    (bb) a liquid fuel 
                                        loading; or</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    (cc) an 
                                        experimental facility in the 
                                        core in excess of 16 square 
                                        inches in cross-
                                        section.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) Exemption.--Subparagraph (A) 
                        shall not apply to the holder of any license 
                        for a federally owned research reactor used 
                        primarily for educational training and academic 
                        research purposes.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Performance and Reporting.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) In general.--The Commission shall develop for 
        the requested activities of the Commission--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) performance metrics; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) on each request, milestone 
                schedules.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Delays in issuance of final safety 
        evaluation.--The Executive Director for Operations of the 
        Commission shall inform the Commission of a delay in issuance 
        of the final safety evaluation for a requested activity of the 
        Commission by the completion date required by the performance 
        metrics or milestone schedule under paragraph (1) by not later 
        than 30 days after the completion date.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Delays in issuance of final safety evaluation 
        exceeding 180 days.--If the final safety evaluation for the 
        requested activity of the Commission described in paragraph (2) 
        is not completed by the date that is 180 days after the 
        completion date required by the performance metrics or 
        milestone schedule under paragraph (1), the Commission shall 
        submit to the appropriate congressional committees a timely 
        report describing the delay, including a detailed explanation 
        accounting for the delay and a plan for timely completion of 
        the final safety evaluation.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Accurate Invoicing.--With respect to invoices for fees 
and charges described in subsection (b)(2), the Commission shall--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) ensure appropriate management review and 
        concurrence prior to the issuance of invoices;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) develop and implement processes to audit 
        invoices to ensure accuracy, transparency, and fairness; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) modify regulations to ensure fair and 
        appropriate processes to provide licensees and applicants an 
        opportunity to efficiently dispute or otherwise seek review and 
        correction of errors in invoices for fees and 
        charges.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2020, the 
Commission shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the 
Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the 
Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives a report describing the implementation of 
this section, including any impacts and recommendations for 
improvement.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Effective Date.--This section takes effect on October 
1, 2018.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTOR PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Licensing of Commercial Advanced Nuclear Reactors.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Staged licensing.--For the purpose of 
        predictable, efficient, and timely reviews, not later than 2 
        years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission 
        shall develop and implement, within the existing regulatory 
        framework, strategies for--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) establishing stages in the licensing 
                process for commercial advanced nuclear reactors; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) developing procedures and processes 
                for--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) using a licensing project 
                        plan; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) optional use of a statement 
                        of licensing feasibility.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Risk-informed licensing.--Not later than 2 
        years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission 
        shall develop and implement strategies for the increased use of 
        risk-informed, performance-based licensing evaluation 
        techniques and guidance for commercial advanced nuclear 
        reactors within existing regulatory frameworks, including 
        evaluation techniques and guidance for the resolution of the 
        following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) Applicable policy issues identified 
                during the course of review by the Commission of a 
                commercial advanced nuclear reactor licensing 
                application.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) The issues described in SECY-93-092 
                and SECY-15-077, including--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) licensing basis event 
                        selection and evaluation;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) source terms;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) containment performance; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) emergency 
                        preparedness.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Research and test reactor licensing.--For the 
        purpose of predictable, efficient, and timely reviews, not 
        later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Commission shall develop and implement strategies to prepare an 
        appropriate regulatory framework for licensing research and 
        test reactors, including the issuance of guidance.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Technology-inclusive regulatory framework.--
        Not later than December 31, 2023, the Commission shall complete 
        a rulemaking to establish a technology-inclusive, regulatory 
        framework for optional use by commercial advanced nuclear 
        reactor applicants for new reactor license 
        applications.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) Training and expertise.--As soon as 
        practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
        Commission shall provide for staff training or the hiring of 
        experts, as necessary--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) to support the activities described in 
                paragraphs (1) through (4); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) to support preparations--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) to conduct pre-application 
                        interactions; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) to review commercial advanced 
                        nuclear reactor license applications.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Commission to carry out 
        this subsection such sums as are necessary.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Plan To Establish Stages in the Commercial Advanced 
Nuclear Reactor Licensing Process.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Plan required.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit 
        to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for 
        expediting and establishing stages in the licensing process for 
        commercial advanced nuclear reactors that will allow 
        implementation of the licensing process by not later than 2 
        years after the date of enactment of this Act (referred to in 
        this subsection as the ``plan'').</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Coordination and stakeholder input.--In 
        developing the plan, the Commission shall seek input from the 
        Secretary of Energy, the nuclear energy industry, a diverse set 
        of technology developers, and other public 
        stakeholders.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Cost and schedule estimates.--The plan shall 
        include proposed cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes for 
        implementing strategies to establish stages in the licensing 
        process for commercial advanced nuclear reactor 
        technologies.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Required evaluations.--Consistent with the 
        role of the Commission in protecting public health and safety 
        and common defense and security, the plan shall evaluate--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A)(i) the unique aspects of commercial 
                advanced nuclear reactor licensing, including the use 
                of alternative coolants or alternative fuels, operation 
                at or near atmospheric pressure, and the use of passive 
                safety strategies; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (ii) for the purposes of predictable, 
                efficient, and timely reviews, any associated legal, 
                regulatory, and policy issues the Commission should 
                address with regard to the licensing of commercial 
                advanced nuclear reactor technologies;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) options for licensing commercial 
                advanced nuclear reactors under the regulations of the 
                Commission contained in title 10, Code of Federal 
                Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of 
                this Act), including--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) the development and use under 
                        the regulatory framework of the Commission in 
                        effect on the date of enactment of this Act of 
                        a licensing project plan that could establish--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) milestones that--
                                </DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    (aa) correspond to 
                                        stages of a licensing process 
                                        for the specific situation of a 
                                        commercial advanced nuclear 
                                        reactor project; and</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    (bb) use knowledge 
                                        of the ability of the 
                                        Commission to review certain 
                                        design aspects; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) guidelines defining 
                                the roles and responsibilities between 
                                the Commission and the applicant at the 
                                onset of the interaction--</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    (aa) to provide 
                                        the foundation for effective 
                                        communication and effective 
                                        project management; 
                                        and</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    (bb) to ensure 
                                        efficient progress and rapid 
                                        resolution of 
                                        conflicts;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) the use of topical reports, 
                        standard design approval, and other appropriate 
                        mechanisms as tools to introduce stages into 
                        the commercial advanced nuclear reactor 
                        licensing process, including how the licensing 
                        project plan might structure the use of those 
                        mechanisms;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) collaboration with 
                        standards-setting organizations to identify 
                        specific technical areas for which new or 
                        updated standards are needed and providing 
                        assistance if appropriate to ensure the new or 
                        updated standards are developed and finalized 
                        in a timely fashion;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iv) the incorporation of 
                        consensus-based codes and standards developed 
                        under clause (iii) into the regulatory 
                        framework--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) to provide 
                                predictability for the regulatory 
                                processes of the Commission; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) to ensure timely 
                                completion of specific licensing 
                                actions;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (v) the development of a process 
                        for, and the use of, statements of licensing 
                        feasibility; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (vi) identification of any 
                        policies and guidance for staff that will be 
                        needed to implement clauses (i) and 
                        (ii);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) options for improving the efficiency, 
                timeliness, and cost-effectiveness of licensing reviews 
                of commercial advanced nuclear reactors, including 
                opportunities to minimize the delays that may result 
                from any necessary amendment or supplement to an 
                application;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) options for improving the 
                predictability of the commercial advanced nuclear 
                reactor licensing process, including the evaluation of 
                opportunities to improve the process by which 
                application review milestones are established and met; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (E) the extent to which Commission action 
                or modification of policy is needed to implement any 
                part of the plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Plan To Increase the Use of Risk-Informed and 
Performance-Based Evaluation Techniques and Regulatory Guidance.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Plan required.--Not later than 180 days after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit 
        to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for 
        increasing the use of risk-informed and performance-based 
        evaluation techniques and regulatory guidance in licensing 
        commercial advanced nuclear reactors within the existing 
        regulatory framework (referred to in this subsection as the 
        ``plan'').</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Coordination and stakeholder input.--In 
        developing the plan, the Commission shall seek input from the 
        Secretary of Energy, the nuclear energy industry, technology 
        developers, and other public stakeholders.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Cost and schedule estimate.--The plan shall 
        include proposed cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes for 
        implementing a strategy to increase the use of risk-informed 
        and performance-based evaluation techniques and regulatory 
        guidance in licensing commercial advanced nuclear 
        reactors.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Required evaluations.--Consistent with the 
        role of the Commission in protecting public health and safety 
        and common defense and security, the plan shall evaluate--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the ability of the Commission to 
                develop and implement risk-informed and performance-
                based licensing evaluation techniques and guidance for 
                commercial advanced nuclear reactors within existing 
                regulatory frameworks not later than 2 years after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, including policies and 
                guidance for the resolution of--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) issues relating to--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (I) licensing basis event 
                                selection and evaluation;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (II) use of mechanistic 
                                source terms;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (III) containment 
                                performance; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    (IV) emergency 
                                preparedness; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) other policy issues 
                        previously identified; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the extent to which Commission action 
                is needed to implement any part of the plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Plan To Complete a Rulemaking To Establish a 
Technology-Inclusive Regulatory Framework for Optional Use by 
Commercial Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies in New Reactor License 
Applications.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Plan required.--Not later than 18 months after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit 
        to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for 
        completing a rulemaking to establish a technology-inclusive 
        regulatory framework for optional use by applicants in 
        licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactor technologies in 
        new reactor license applications (referred to in this 
        subsection as the ``plan'').</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Coordination and stakeholder input.--In 
        developing the plan, the Commission shall seek input from the 
        Secretary of Energy, the nuclear energy industry, a diverse set 
        of technology developers, and other public 
        stakeholders.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Cost and schedule estimate.--The plan shall 
        include proposed cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes for 
        developing and implementing a technology-inclusive regulatory 
        framework for licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactor 
        technologies, including completion of a rulemaking.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Required evaluations.--Consistent with the 
        role of the Commission in protecting public health and safety 
        and common defense and security, the plan shall evaluate--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the ability of the Commission to 
                complete a rulemaking to establish a technology-
                inclusive regulatory framework for licensing commercial 
                advanced nuclear reactor technologies by December 31, 
                2023; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the extent to which additional 
                legislation, or Commission action or modification of 
                policy, is needed to implement any part of the 
                plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Plan To Prepare the Research and Test Reactor 
Licensing Process.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Plan required.--Not later than 1 year after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit 
        to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for 
        preparing the licensing process for research and test reactors 
        (referred to in this subsection as the ``plan'').</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Coordination and stakeholder input.--In 
        developing the plan, the Commission shall seek input from the 
        Secretary of Energy, the nuclear energy industry, a diverse set 
        of technology developers, and other public 
        stakeholders.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Cost and schedule estimates.--The plan shall 
        include proposed cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes for 
        preparing the licensing process for research and test 
        reactors.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) Required evaluations.--Consistent with the 
        role of the Commission in protecting public health and safety 
        and common defense and security, the plan shall evaluate--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) the unique aspects of research and 
                test reactor licensing and any associated legal, 
                regulatory, and policy issues the Commission should 
                address to prepare the licensing process for research 
                and test reactors;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) the feasibility of developing 
                guidelines for advanced reactor demonstrations to 
                support the review process for advanced reactor 
                designs, including designs that use alternative 
                coolants or alternative fuels, operate at or near 
                atmospheric pressure, and use passive safety 
                strategies; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) the extent to which Commission action 
                or modification of policy is needed to implement any 
                part of the plan.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (f) Plan To Enhance Commission Expertise Relating to 
Advanced Nuclear Reactor Technologies.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Plan required.--Not later than 1 year after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit 
        to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for ensuring 
        that the Commission has adequate expertise, modeling, and 
        simulation capabilities, or access to those capabilities, to 
        support the evaluation of licensing applications for commercial 
        advanced nuclear reactors and research and test reactors, 
        including applications that use alternative coolants or 
        alternative fuels, operate at or near atmospheric pressure, and 
        use passive safety strategies (referred to in this subsection 
        as the ``plan'').</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Cost and schedule estimates.--The plan shall 
        include proposed cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes for 
        acquiring or accessing the necessary expertise to support the 
        evaluation of license applications for commercial advanced 
        nuclear reactors and research and test reactors.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) Annual updates to plan.--The Commission 
        shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) update the plan on an annual basis; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) submit for review to the appropriate 
                congressional committees the updated plan.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. HEARINGS UNDER ATOMIC ENERGY ACT OF 1954.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 189 of the Atomic Energy Act of 
1954 (42 U.S.C. 2239) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection a.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking the 
                second and third sentences and inserting the following: 
                ``On each application under section 103 or 104 b. for a 
                construction permit or an operating license, on 
                application under section 104 c. for a construction 
                permit or an operating license for a testing facility, 
                and on application for an amendment to a construction 
                permit or an operating license under those sections, 
                the Commission may, in the absence of a request for a 
                hearing by any person whose interest may be affected 
                and after 30-day notice and publication of notice in 
                the Federal Register, issue a construction permit, an 
                operating license, or an amendment to a construction 
                permit or an operating license without a hearing.''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), in the second 
                sentence, by striking ``required hearing'' and 
                inserting ``hearing held by the Commission under this 
                section''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in subsection b. (2), by striking ``to begin 
        operating'' and inserting ``to operate''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Conforming Amendments.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) Section 185 b. of the Atomic Energy Act of 
        1954 (42 U.S.C. 2235(b)) is amended in the first sentence by 
        striking ``After holding a public hearing under section 189 a. 
        (1)(A),'' and inserting ``After holding a hearing under section 
        189 a. (1)(A), or as soon as practicable if the Commission has 
        determined that no hearing is required to be held under that 
        section,''.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) Section 193(b) of the Atomic Energy Act of 
        1954 (42 U.S.C. 2243(b)) is amended--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) by striking paragraph (1) and 
                inserting the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Commission shall conduct a 
        single adjudicatory hearing if a person whose interest may be 
        affected by the construction and operation of a facility under 
        sections 53 and 63 has requested a hearing regarding the 
        licensing of the construction and operation of the facility.''; 
        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``Such 
                hearing'' and inserting ``If a hearing is held under 
                paragraph (1), the hearing''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Effect.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to all applications and proceedings pending before the Commission 
on or after the date of enactment of this Act.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 9. ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY LICENSING COST-SHARE GRANT 
              PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Energy (referred to 
in this section as the ``Secretary'') shall establish a grant program 
to be known as the ``Advanced Nuclear Energy Cost-Share Grant Program'' 
(referred to in this section as the ``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 and application review activities.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Requirement.--The Secretary shall seek out technology 
diversity in making grants under the program.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Cost-Share Amount.--The Secretary shall determine the 
cost-share amount for each grant.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (d) Use of Funds.--Recipients of grants under the program 
may use the grant funds to cover Commission fees, including those fees 
associated with--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) developing a licensing project plan;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) obtaining a statement of licensing 
        feasibility;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) reviewing topical reports; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) other pre-application and application review 
        activities and interactions with the Commission.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section such sums 
as are necessary.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Nuclear Energy Innovation and 
Modernization Act''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress finds that--
            (1) the safe and secure operation of nuclear reactors in 
        the United States must remain the paramount focus of the 
        Nuclear Regulatory Commission;
            (2) the existing fleet of nuclear reactors in the United 
        States is operating safely and securely;
            (3) nuclear energy is the largest source of affordable, 
        reliable, emissions-free energy in the United States, providing 
        approximately 20 percent of the electricity consumed in the 
        United States and 60 percent of emissions-free electricity 
        generation in the United States;
            (4) a 1,000-megawatt nuclear plant--
                    (A) provides approximately 500 permanent jobs;
                    (B) pays approximately $40,000,000 annually in 
                wages;
                    (C) generates approximately $470,000,000 annually 
                in goods and services in the local community; and
                    (D) pays approximately $83,000,000 annually in 
                Federal, State, and local taxes;
            (5) nuclear energy is of critical importance to United 
        States energy security and worldwide influence on 
        nonproliferation;
            (6) nuclear energy uses widely available fuel resources to 
        enable scientific progress, emissions-free and reliable 
        electricity generation, heat generation for industrial 
        applications, and power for deep space exploration;
            (7) the private sector, the National Laboratories (as 
        defined in section 2 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
        U.S.C. 15801)), and institutions of higher education are 
        pursuing innovations in nuclear energy technology that will 
        play a crucial role in--
                    (A) the future global and United States energy 
                supply; and
                    (B) the exports, manufacturing, and economy of the 
                United States;
            (8) eventual deployment of commercial advanced nuclear 
        reactors will require--
                    (A) modernizing the regulatory framework; and
                    (B) making other necessary changes to facilitate 
                the efficient, predictable, and affordable deployment 
                of advanced nuclear reactor technologies;
            (9) 2 impediments to the commercialization of advanced 
        nuclear reactors are the high costs and long durations 
        associated with applying the existing nuclear regulatory 
        framework to advanced nuclear reactors;
            (10) license application reviews should be as predictable 
        and efficient as practicable without compromising safety or 
        security;
            (11) the development of advanced nuclear reactors would 
        benefit from the early identification of policy issues for 
        timely consideration and resolution by the Commission to 
        improve the efficient development of designs as well as 
        preparing for design review and licensing;
            (12) the existing nuclear regulatory framework and the 
        requirements of that framework have not adapted to advances in 
        scientific understanding or the features and performance 
        characteristics of advanced nuclear reactor designs;
            (13) the existing nuclear reactor licensing process does 
        not provide iterative feedback to manage risk as needed for 
        typical technology development and investment cycles;
            (14) a staged licensing structure that provides clear and 
        periodic feedback to applicants on an agreed schedule will help 
        to enable the commercialization of safer and innovative 
        technologies that will benefit the economy, national security, 
        and environment of the United States;
            (15) a technology-inclusive Commission regulatory framework 
        will--
                    (A) allow greater technological innovation; and
                    (B) enable inventors, scientists, engineers, and 
                students to pursue licensing advanced reactor concepts;
            (16) further preparation by the Commission of the research 
        and test reactor licensing process will enable the Commission 
        to more efficiently process applications for research and test 
        reactors when the applications are received;
            (17) it is incumbent on the Commission--
                    (A) to budget appropriate resources to undertake an 
                active role in design familiarization activities with 
                potential applicants with advanced reactor designs;
                    (B) to budget for adequate resources to conduct 
                licensing reviews and other work requested by licensees 
                and applicants; and
                    (C) to preserve those budgeted funds to ensure 
                responsiveness to licensees and applicants in 
                recognition of the dependence of the licensees and 
                applicants on Commission approval before the benefits 
                of the technology of the licensees and applicants can 
                be realized; and
            (18) both prospective advanced nuclear reactor applicants 
        and the existing fleet of nuclear reactors in the United States 
        would benefit from modernizing the outdated fee recovery 
        structure of the Commission to better manage fluctuations in 
        workload and the number of licensees in a fair and equitable 
        manner.

SEC. 3. PURPOSE.

    The purpose of this Act is to provide--
            (1) a program to develop the expertise and regulatory 
        processes necessary to allow innovation and the 
        commercialization of advanced nuclear reactors; and
            (2) a revised fee recovery structure to ensure the 
        availability of resources to meet industry needs without 
        burdening existing licensees unfairly for inaccurate workload 
        projections or premature existing reactor closures.

SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Advanced nuclear reactor.--The term ``advanced nuclear 
        reactor'' means a nuclear fission or fusion reactor, including 
        a prototype plant (as defined in sections 50.2 and 52.1 of 
        title 10, Code of Federal Regulations), with significant 
        improvements compared to commercial nuclear reactors under 
        construction as of the date of enactment of this Act, including 
        improvements such as--
                    (A) additional inherent safety features;
                    (B) significantly lower levelized cost of 
                electricity;
                    (C) lower waste yields;
                    (D) greater fuel utilization;
                    (E) enhanced reliability;
                    (F) increased proliferation resistance;
                    (G) increased thermal efficiency; or
                    (H) ability to integrate into electric and 
                nonelectric applications.
            (2) Agreement state.--The term ``Agreement State'' means 
        any State with which the Commission has entered into an 
        effective agreement under section 274 b. of the Atomic Energy 
        Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2021(b)).
            (3) Applicant.--The term ``applicant'' means an applicant 
        for a license, certification, permit, or other form of approval 
        from the Commission for a commercial advanced nuclear reactor 
        or a research and test reactor.
            (4) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
        ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on 
        Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on 
        Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
            (5) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Nuclear 
        Regulatory Commission.
            (6) Corporate support costs.--The term ``corporate support 
        costs'' means expenditures for acquisitions, administrative 
        services, financial management, human resource management, 
        information management, information technology, policy support, 
        outreach, and training, as those categories are described and 
        calculated in Appendix A of the Congressional Budget 
        Justification for Fiscal Year 2017 of the Commission.
            (7) Licensing project plan.--The term ``licensing project 
        plan'' means a plan that describes--
                    (A) the interactions between an applicant and the 
                Commission; and
                    (B) project schedules and deliverables in specific 
                detail to support long-range resource planning 
                undertaken by the Commission and an applicant.
            (8) Regulatory framework.--The term ``regulatory 
        framework'' means the framework for reviewing requests for 
        certifications, permits, approvals, and licenses for nuclear 
        power plants.
            (9) Requested activity of the commission.--The term 
        ``requested activity of the Commission'' means--
                    (A) the processing of applications for--
                            (i) design certifications or approvals;
                            (ii) licenses;
                            (iii) permits;
                            (iv) license amendments;
                            (v) license renewals;
                            (vi) certificates of compliance; and
                            (vii) power uprates; and
                    (B) any other activity requested by a licensee or 
                applicant.
            (10) Research and test reactor.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``research and test 
                reactor'' means a reactor that--
                            (i) falls within the licensing and related 
                        regulatory authority of the Commission under 
                        section 202 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 
                        1974 (42 U.S.C. 5842); and
                            (ii) is useful in the conduct of research 
                        and development activities as licensed under 
                        section 104 c. of the Atomic Energy Act (42 
                        U.S.C. 2134(c)).
                    (B) Exclusion.--The term ``research and test 
                reactor'' does not include a commercial advanced 
                nuclear reactor.
            (11) Standard design approval.--The term ``standard design 
        approval'' means the approval of a final standard design or a 
        major portion of a final design standard as described in 
        subpart E of part 52 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations.
            (12) Statement of licensing feasibility.--The term 
        ``statement of licensing feasibility'' means an early-stage 
        review by the Commission that--
                    (A) assesses preliminary design information for 
                consistency with applicable regulatory requirements of 
                the Commission;
                    (B) is performed on a set of topic areas agreed to 
                in the licensing project plan; and
                    (C) is performed at a cost and schedule agreed to 
                in the licensing project plan.
            (13) Technology-inclusive regulatory framework.--The term 
        ``technology-inclusive regulatory framework'' means a 
        regulatory framework developed using methods of evaluation that 
        are flexible and practicable for application to a variety of 
        reactor technologies, including, where appropriate, the use of 
        risk-informed and performance-based techniques and other tools 
        and methods.
            (14) Topical report.--The term ``topical report'' means a 
        document submitted to the Commission that addresses a technical 
        topic related to nuclear power plant safety or design.

SEC. 5. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION USER FEES AND ANNUAL CHARGES 
              THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2018.

    (a) In General.--Section 6101(c)(2)(A) of the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 2214(c)(2)(A)) is amended--
            (1) in clause (iii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(v) amounts appropriated to the 
                        Commission for the fiscal year for activities 
                        related to the development of a regulatory 
                        framework for advanced nuclear reactor 
                        technologies, including activities required 
                        under section 7 of the Nuclear Energy 
                        Innovation and Modernization Act.''.
    (b) Repeal.--Effective October 1, 2018, section 6101 of the Omnibus 
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 2214) is repealed.

SEC. 6. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION USER FEES AND ANNUAL CHARGES FOR 
              FISCAL YEAR 2019 AND EACH FISCAL YEAR THEREAFTER.

    (a) Annual Budget Justification.--
            (1) In general.--In the annual budget justification 
        submitted by the Commission to Congress, the Commission shall 
        expressly identify anticipated expenditures necessary for 
        completion of the requested activities of the Commission 
        anticipated to occur during the applicable fiscal year.
            (2) Restriction.--Budget authority granted to the 
        Commission for purposes of the requested activities of the 
        Commission shall be used, to the maximum extent practicable, 
        solely for conducting requested activities of the Commission.
            (3) Limitation on corporate support costs.--With respect to 
        the annual budget justification submitted to Congress, 
        corporate support costs, to the maximum extent practicable, 
        shall not exceed the following percentages of the total budget 
        authority of the Commission requested in the annual budget 
        justification:
                    (A) 30 percent for each of fiscal years 2019 and 
                2020.
                    (B) 29 percent for each of fiscal years 2021 and 
                2022.
                    (C) 28 percent for fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal 
                year thereafter.
    (b) Fees and Charges.--
            (1) Annual assessment.--
                    (A) In general.--Each fiscal year, the Commission 
                shall assess and collect fees and charges in accordance 
                with paragraphs (2) and (3) in a manner that ensures 
                that, to the maximum extent practicable, the amount 
                collected is equal to an amount that approximates--
                            (i) the total budget authority of the 
                        Commission for that fiscal year; less
                            (ii) the budget authority of the Commission 
                        for the activities described in subparagraph 
                        (B).
                    (B) Excluded activities described.--The activities 
                referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) are the following:
                            (i) An activity not attributable to an 
                        existing NRC licensee or class of licensee as 
                        identified by the Commission in Table III of 
                        the final rule of the Commission entitled 
                        ``Revision of Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for 
                        Fiscal Year 2015'' (80 Fed. Reg. 37432 (June 
                        30, 2015)).
                            (ii) Amounts appropriated for a fiscal year 
                        to the Commission--
                                    (I) from the Nuclear Waste Fund 
                                established under section 302(c) of the 
                                Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 
                                U.S.C. 10222(c));
                                    (II) for implementation of section 
                                3116 of the Ronald W. Reagan National 
                                Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
                                Year 2005 (50 U.S.C. 2601 note; Public 
                                Law 108-375);
                                    (III) for the homeland security 
                                activities of the Commission (other 
                                than for the costs of fingerprinting 
                                and background checks required under 
                                section 149 of the Atomic Energy Act of 
                                1954 (42 U.S.C. 2169) and the costs of 
                                conducting security inspections);
                                    (IV) for the Inspector General 
                                services of the Commission provided to 
                                the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety 
                                Board;
                                    (V) for research and development at 
                                universities in areas relevant to the 
                                mission of the applicable university;
                                    (VI) for a nuclear science and 
                                engineering grant program that will 
                                support multiyear projects that do not 
                                align with programmatic missions but 
                                are critical to maintaining the 
                                discipline of nuclear science and 
                                engineering; and
                                    (VII) for any other fee-relief 
                                activity described in the final rule of 
                                the Commission entitled ``Revision of 
                                Fee Schedules; Fee Recovery for Fiscal 
                                Year 2015'' (80 Fed. Reg. 37432 (June 
                                30, 2015)).
                            (iii) Costs for activities related to the 
                        development of regulatory infrastructure for 
                        advanced nuclear reactor technologies, 
                        including activities required under section 7.
                    (C) Exception.--The exclusion described in 
                subparagraph (B)(iii) shall cease to be effective on 
                January 1, 2030.
                    (D) Report.--Not later than December 31, 2028, the 
                Commission shall submit to the Committee on 
                Appropriations and the Committee on Environment and 
                Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on 
                Appropriations and the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
                of the House of Representatives a report describing the 
                views of the Commission on the continued 
                appropriateness and necessity of the funding described 
                in subparagraph (B)(iii).
            (2) Fees for service or thing of value.--In accordance with 
        section 9701 of title 31, United States Code, the Commission 
        shall charge fees to any person who receives a service or thing 
        of value from the Commission to cover the costs to the 
        Commission of providing the service or thing of value.
            (3) Annual fees.--
                    (A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B) and 
                except as provided in subparagraph (D), the Commission 
                may charge to any licensee or certificate holder of the 
                Commission an annual fee.
                    (B) Cap on annual fees of certain licensees.--
                            (i) In general.--The annual fee under 
                        subparagraph (A) charged to an operating 
                        reactor licensee, to the maximum extent 
                        practicable, shall not exceed the annual fee 
                        amount per operating reactor licensee 
                        established in the final rule of the Commission 
                        entitled ``Revision of Fee Schedules; Fee 
                        Recovery for Fiscal Year 2015'' (80 Fed. Reg. 
                        37432 (June 30, 2015)), as may be adjusted 
                        annually by the Commission to reflect changes 
                        in the Consumer Price Index published by the 
                        Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of 
                        Labor.
                            (ii) Waiver.--The Commission may waive, for 
                        a period of 1 year, the cap on annual fees 
                        described in clause (i) if the Commission 
                        submits to the Committee on Appropriations and 
                        the Committee on Environment and Public Works 
                        of the Senate and the Committee on 
                        Appropriations and the Committee on Energy and 
                        Commerce of the House of Representatives a 
                        written determination that the cap on annual 
                        fees may compromise the safety and security 
                        mission of the Commission.
                    (C) Amount per licensee.--
                            (i) In general.--The Commission shall 
                        establish by rule a schedule of fees fairly and 
                        equitably allocating the aggregate amount of 
                        charges described in subparagraph (A) among 
                        licensees and certificate holders.
                            (ii) Requirement.--The schedule of fees 
                        under clause (i)--
                                    (I) to the maximum extent 
                                practicable, shall be based on the cost 
                                of providing regulatory services; and
                                    (II) may be based on the allocation 
                                of the resources of the Commission 
                                among licensees or certificate holders 
                                or classes of licensees or certificate 
                                holders.
                    (D) Exemption.--
                            (i) Definition of research reactor.--In 
                        this subparagraph, the term ``research 
                        reactor'' means a nuclear reactor that--
                                    (I) is licensed by the Commission 
                                under section 104 c. of the Atomic 
                                Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2134(c)) 
                                for operation at a thermal power level 
                                of not more than 10 megawatts; and
                                    (II) if licensed under subclause 
                                (I) for operation at a thermal power 
                                level of more than 1 megawatt, does not 
                                contain--
                                            (aa) a circulating loop 
                                        through the core in which the 
                                        licensee conducts fuel 
                                        experiments;
                                            (bb) a liquid fuel loading; 
                                        or
                                            (cc) an experimental 
                                        facility in the core in excess 
                                        of 16 square inches in cross-
                                        section.
                            (ii) Exemption.--Subparagraph (A) shall not 
                        apply to the holder of any license for a 
                        federally owned research reactor used primarily 
                        for educational training and academic research 
                        purposes.
    (c) Performance and Reporting.--
            (1) In general.--The Commission shall develop for the 
        requested activities of the Commission--
                    (A) performance metrics; and
                    (B) on each request, milestone schedules.
            (2) Delays in issuance of final safety evaluation.--The 
        Executive Director for Operations of the Commission shall 
        inform the Commission of a delay in issuance of the final 
        safety evaluation for a requested activity of the Commission by 
        the completion date required by the performance metrics or 
        milestone schedule under paragraph (1) by not later than 30 
        days after the completion date.
            (3) Delays in issuance of final safety evaluation exceeding 
        180 days.--If the final safety evaluation for the requested 
        activity of the Commission described in paragraph (2) is not 
        completed by the date that is 180 days after the completion 
        date required by the performance metrics or milestone schedule 
        under paragraph (1), the Commission shall submit to the 
        appropriate congressional committees a timely report describing 
        the delay, including a detailed explanation accounting for the 
        delay and a plan for timely completion of the final safety 
        evaluation.
    (d) Accurate Invoicing.--With respect to invoices for fees and 
charges described in subsection (b)(2), the Commission shall--
            (1) ensure appropriate management review and concurrence 
        prior to the issuance of invoices;
            (2) develop and implement processes to audit invoices to 
        ensure accuracy, transparency, and fairness; and
            (3) modify regulations to ensure fair and appropriate 
        processes to provide licensees and applicants an opportunity to 
        efficiently dispute or otherwise seek review and correction of 
        errors in invoices for fees and charges.
    (e) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2020, the Commission 
shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on 
Appropriations and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives a report describing the implementation of this section, 
including any impacts and recommendations for improvement.
    (f) Effective Date.--This section takes effect on October 1, 2018.

SEC. 7. ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTOR PROGRAM.

    (a) Licensing of Commercial Advanced Nuclear Reactors.--
            (1) Staged licensing.--For the purpose of predictable, 
        efficient, and timely reviews, not later than 2 years after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall develop and 
        implement, within the existing regulatory framework, strategies 
        for--
                    (A) establishing stages in the licensing process 
                for commercial advanced nuclear reactors; and
                    (B) developing procedures and processes for--
                            (i) using a licensing project plan; and
                            (ii) optional use of a statement of 
                        licensing feasibility.
            (2) Risk-informed licensing.--Not later than 2 years after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall develop 
        and implement, where appropriate, strategies for the increased 
        use of risk-informed, performance-based licensing evaluation 
        techniques and guidance for commercial advanced nuclear 
        reactors within existing regulatory frameworks, including 
        evaluation techniques and guidance for the resolution of the 
        following:
                    (A) Applicable policy issues identified during the 
                course of review by the Commission of a commercial 
                advanced nuclear reactor licensing application.
                    (B) The issues described in SECY-93-092 and SECY-
                15-077, including--
                            (i) licensing basis event selection and 
                        evaluation;
                            (ii) source terms;
                            (iii) containment performance; and
                            (iv) emergency preparedness.
            (3) Research and test reactor licensing.--For the purpose 
        of predictable, efficient, and timely reviews, not later than 2 
        years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission 
        shall develop and implement strategies within the existing 
        regulatory framework for licensing research and test reactors, 
        including the issuance of guidance.
            (4) Technology-inclusive regulatory framework.--Not later 
        than December 31, 2023, the Commission shall complete a 
        rulemaking to establish a technology-inclusive, regulatory 
        framework for optional use by commercial advanced nuclear 
        reactor applicants for new reactor license applications.
            (5) Training and expertise.--As soon as practicable after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall provide 
        for staff training or the hiring of experts, as necessary--
                    (A) to support the activities described in 
                paragraphs (1) through (4); and
                    (B) to support preparations--
                            (i) to conduct pre-application 
                        interactions; and
                            (ii) to review commercial advanced nuclear 
                        reactor license applications.
            (6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated to the Commission to carry out this 
        subsection such sums as are necessary.
    (b) Report to Establish Stages in the Commercial Advanced Nuclear 
Reactor Licensing Process.--
            (1) Report required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to 
        the appropriate congressional committees a report for 
        expediting and establishing stages in the licensing process for 
        commercial advanced nuclear reactors that will allow 
        implementation of the licensing process by not later than 2 
        years after the date of enactment of this Act (referred to in 
        this subsection as the ``report'').
            (2) Coordination and stakeholder input.--In developing the 
        report, the Commission shall seek input from the Secretary of 
        Energy, the nuclear energy industry, a diverse set of 
        technology developers, and other public stakeholders.
            (3) Cost and schedule estimates.--The report shall include 
        proposed cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes for 
        implementing strategies to establish stages in the licensing 
        process for commercial advanced nuclear reactor technologies.
            (4) Required evaluations.--Consistent with the role of the 
        Commission in protecting public health and safety and common 
        defense and security, the report shall evaluate--
                    (A)(i) the unique aspects of commercial advanced 
                nuclear reactor licensing, including the use of 
                alternative coolants or alternative fuels, operation at 
                or near atmospheric pressure, and the use of passive 
                safety strategies; and
                    (ii) for the purposes of predictable, efficient, 
                and timely reviews, any associated legal, regulatory, 
                and policy issues the Commission should address with 
                regard to the licensing of commercial advanced nuclear 
                reactor technologies;
                    (B) options for licensing commercial advanced 
                nuclear reactors under the regulations of the 
                Commission contained in title 10, Code of Federal 
                Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of 
                this Act), including--
                            (i) the development and use under the 
                        regulatory framework of the Commission in 
                        effect on the date of enactment of this Act of 
                        a licensing project plan that could establish--
                                    (I) milestones that--
                                            (aa) correspond to stages 
                                        of a licensing process for the 
                                        specific situation of a 
                                        commercial advanced nuclear 
                                        reactor project; and
                                            (bb) use knowledge of the 
                                        ability of the Commission to 
                                        review certain design aspects; 
                                        and
                                    (II) guidelines defining the roles 
                                and responsibilities between the 
                                Commission and the applicant at the 
                                onset of the interaction--
                                            (aa) to provide the 
                                        foundation for effective 
                                        communication and effective 
                                        project management; and
                                            (bb) to ensure efficient 
                                        progress;
                            (ii) the use of topical reports, standard 
                        design approval, and other appropriate 
                        mechanisms as tools to introduce stages into 
                        the commercial advanced nuclear reactor 
                        licensing process, including how the licensing 
                        project plan might structure the use of those 
                        mechanisms;
                            (iii) collaboration with standards-setting 
                        organizations to identify specific technical 
                        areas for which new or updated standards are 
                        needed and providing assistance if appropriate 
                        to ensure the new or updated standards are 
                        developed and finalized in a timely fashion;
                            (iv) the incorporation of consensus-based 
                        codes and standards developed under clause 
                        (iii) into the regulatory framework--
                                    (I) to provide predictability for 
                                the regulatory processes of the 
                                Commission; and
                                    (II) to ensure timely completion of 
                                specific licensing actions;
                            (v) the development of a process for, and 
                        the use of, statements of licensing 
                        feasibility; and
                            (vi) identification of any policies and 
                        guidance for staff that will be needed to 
                        implement clauses (i) and (ii);
                    (C) options for improving the efficiency, 
                timeliness, and cost-effectiveness of licensing reviews 
                of commercial advanced nuclear reactors, including 
                opportunities to minimize the delays that may result 
                from any necessary amendment or supplement to an 
                application;
                    (D) options for improving the predictability of the 
                commercial advanced nuclear reactor licensing process, 
                including the evaluation of opportunities to improve 
                the process by which application review milestones are 
                established and met; and
                    (E) the extent to which Commission action or 
                modification of policy is needed to implement any part 
                of the report.
    (c) Report To Increase the Use of Risk-Informed and Performance-
Based Evaluation Techniques and Regulatory Guidance.--
            (1) Report required.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to 
        the appropriate congressional committees a report for 
        increasing, where appropriate, the use of risk-informed and 
        performance-based evaluation techniques and regulatory guidance 
        in licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactors within the 
        existing regulatory framework (referred to in this subsection 
        as the ``report'').
            (2) Coordination and stakeholder input.--In developing the 
        report, the Commission shall seek input from the Secretary of 
        Energy, the nuclear energy industry, technology developers, and 
        other public stakeholders.
            (3) Cost and schedule estimate.--The report shall include 
        proposed cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes for 
        implementing a strategy to increase the use of risk-informed 
        and performance-based evaluation techniques and regulatory 
        guidance in licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactors.
            (4) Required evaluations.--Consistent with the role of the 
        Commission in protecting public health and safety and common 
        defense and security, the report shall evaluate--
                    (A) the ability of the Commission to develop and 
                implement, where appropriate, risk-informed and 
                performance-based licensing evaluation techniques and 
                guidance for commercial advanced nuclear reactors 
                within existing regulatory frameworks not later than 2 
                years after the date of enactment of this Act, 
                including policies and guidance for the resolution of--
                            (i) issues relating to--
                                    (I) licensing basis event selection 
                                and evaluation;
                                    (II) use of mechanistic source 
                                terms;
                                    (III) containment performance; and
                                    (IV) emergency preparedness; and
                            (ii) other policy issues previously 
                        identified; and
                    (B) the extent to which Commission action is needed 
                to implement any part of the report.
    (d) Report to Prepare the Research and Test Reactor Licensing 
Process.--
            (1) Report required.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the 
        appropriate congressional committees a report for preparing the 
        licensing process for research and test reactors within the 
        existing regulatory framework (referred to in this subsection 
        as the ``report'').
            (2) Coordination and stakeholder input.--In developing the 
        report, the Commission shall seek input from the Secretary of 
        Energy, the nuclear energy industry, a diverse set of 
        technology developers, and other public stakeholders.
            (3) Cost and schedule estimates.--The report shall include 
        proposed cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes for preparing 
        the licensing process for research and test reactors.
            (4) Required evaluations.--Consistent with the role of the 
        Commission in protecting public health and safety and common 
        defense and security, the report shall evaluate--
                    (A) the unique aspects of research and test reactor 
                licensing and any associated legal, regulatory, and 
                policy issues the Commission should address to prepare 
                the licensing process for research and test reactors;
                    (B) the feasibility of developing guidelines for 
                advanced reactor demonstrations to support the review 
                process for advanced reactors designs, including 
                designs that use alternative coolants or alternative 
                fuels, operate at or near atmospheric pressure, and use 
                passive safety strategies; and
                    (C) the extent to which Commission action or 
                modification of policy is needed to implement any part 
                of the report.
    (e) Report to Complete a Rulemaking to Establish a Technology-
inclusive Regulatory Framework for Optional Use by Commercial Advanced 
Nuclear Reactor Technologies in New Reactor License Applications and to 
Enhance Commission Expertise Relating to Advanced Nuclear Reactor 
Technologies.--
            (1) Report required.--Not later than 30 months after the 
        date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to 
        the appropriate congressional committees a report (referred to 
        in this subsection as the ``report'') for--
                    (A) completing a rulemaking to establish a 
                technology-inclusive regulatory framework for optional 
                use by applicants in licensing commercial advanced 
                nuclear reactor technologies in new reactor license 
                applications; and
                    (B) ensuring that the Commission has adequate 
                expertise, modeling, and simulation capabilities, or 
                access to those capabilities, to support the evaluation 
                of advanced reactor license applications.
            (2) Coordination and stakeholder input.--In developing the 
        report, the Commission shall seek input from the Secretary of 
        Energy, the nuclear energy industry, a diverse set of 
        technology developers, and other public stakeholders.
            (3) Cost and schedule estimate.--The report shall include 
        proposed cost estimates, budgets, and timeframes for developing 
        and implementing a technology-inclusive regulatory framework 
        for licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactor technologies, 
        including completion of a rulemaking.
            (4) Required evaluations.--Consistent with the role of the 
        Commission in protecting public health and safety and common 
        defense and security, the report shall evaluate--
                    (A) the ability of the Commission to complete a 
                rulemaking to establish a technology-inclusive 
                regulatory framework for licensing commercial advanced 
                nuclear reactor technologies by December 31, 2023;
                    (B) the extent to which additional legislation, or 
                Commission action or modification of policy, is needed 
                to implement any part of the new regulatory framework;
                    (C) the need for additional Commission expertise, 
                modeling, and simulation capabilities, or access to 
                those capabilities, to support the evaluation of 
                licensing applications for commercial advanced nuclear 
                reactors and research and test reactors, including 
                applications that use alternative coolants or 
                alternative fuels, operate at or near atmospheric 
                pressure, and use passive safety strategies; and
                    (D) the budgets and timeframes for acquiring or 
                accessing the necessary expertise to support the 
                evaluation of license applications for commercial 
                advanced nuclear reactors and research and test 
                reactors.

SEC. 8. ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY LICENSING COST-SHARE GRANT PROGRAM.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Energy (referred to in this 
section as the ``Secretary'') shall establish a grant program to be 
known as the ``Advanced Nuclear Energy Cost-Share Grant Program'' 
(referred to in this section as the ``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 and application review activities.
    (b) Requirement.--The Secretary shall seek out technology diversity 
in making grants under the program.
    (c) Cost-Share Amount.--The Secretary shall determine the cost-
share amount for each grant.
    (d) Use of Funds.--Recipients of grants 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 pre-application and application review activities 
        and interactions with the Commission.
    (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section such sums as 
are necessary.

SEC. 9. URANIUM RECOVERY REPORT.

    Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Commission shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a 
report regarding the safety and feasibility of extending the duration 
of uranium recovery licenses from 10 to 20 years, including any 
potential benefits of the extension.
                                                       Calendar No. 528

114th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 2795

                          [Report No. 114-285]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

             To modernize the regulation of nuclear energy.

_______________________________________________________________________

                             June 23, 2016

                       Reported with an amendment