[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2368 Reported in Senate (RS)]

<DOC>





                                                       Calendar No. 353
116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 2368

  To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 to support licensing and relicensing of certain nuclear facilities 
 and nuclear energy research, demonstration, and development, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 31, 2019

Mr. Coons (for himself and Ms. McSally) introduced the following bill; 
   which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and 
                           Natural Resources

                           December 17, 2019

 Reported by Ms. Murkowski, with an amendment and an amendment to the 
                                 title
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 to support licensing and relicensing of certain nuclear facilities 
 and nuclear energy research, demonstration, and development, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Nuclear Energy Renewal Act 
of 2019''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. LIGHT WATER REACTOR SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 621 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 
109-58; 119 Stat. 782) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``Section'' and inserting the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Amendment to Atomic Energy Act of 1954.--Section''; 
and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other 
        provision of law, the Secretary shall expand the light water 
        reactor sustainability program of the Department, to the 
        maximum extent practicable--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) to ensure the achievement of maximum 
                benefits from existing nuclear generation;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) to accommodate the increase in 
                applications for nuclear power plant license renewals 
                expected as of the date of enactment of this 
                subsection;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) to enable the continued operation of 
                existing nuclear power plants through technology 
                development;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) to improve the performance and 
                reduce the operation and maintenance costs of nuclear 
                power plants; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) to promote the use of high-
                performance computing to simulate nuclear reactor 
                processes.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection $60,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2020 through 2029.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. INCREASING SUPPORT FOR ADVANCED NUCLEAR 
              TECHNOLOGIES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Licensing by Nuclear Regulatory Commission.--Section 
103 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2133) is amended--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in subsection d., in the second sentence, by 
        striking ``any any'' and inserting ``any''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by inserting after subsection d. the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``e. Advanced Nuclear Facilities and Technologies.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Definition of advanced nuclear.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--In this subsection, the 
                term `advanced nuclear' means, with respect to a 
                production facility, utilization facility, or 
                technology, the use of a nuclear fission reactor, 
                including a prototype plant (as defined in section 50.2 
                of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
                regulations)), that represents significant improvements 
                compared to the most recent generation of nuclear 
                fission reactors, including improvements such as--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) additional inherent safety 
                        features;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) lower waste 
                        yields;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) improved fuel 
                        performance;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) increased tolerance to loss 
                        of fuel cooling;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) enhanced 
                        reliability;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) increased proliferation 
                        resistance;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) increased thermal 
                        efficiency;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(viii) reduced consumption of 
                        cooling water;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ix) the ability to integrate 
                        into electric applications and nonelectric 
                        applications;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(x) modular sizes to allow for 
                        deployment that corresponds with the demand for 
                        electricity; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(xi) operational flexibility to 
                        respond to changes in demand for electricity 
                        and to complement integration with intermittent 
                        renewable energy.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Inclusion.--In this subsection, the 
                term `advanced nuclear' includes, with respect to a 
                production facility, utilization facility, or 
                technology, the use of a nuclear fusion 
                reactor.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Establishment of program.--The Secretary of 
        Energy, in coordination with the Commission, shall establish 
        and carry out a program--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) to develop certification and 
                licensing criteria with respect to advanced nuclear 
                production facilities and utilization facilities, 
                including for international licensing 
                harmonization;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) to provide assistance to eligible 
                applicants with respect to the certification and 
                licensing of advanced nuclear production facilities and 
                utilization facilities; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) to establish such procedures as the 
                Secretary of Energy and the Commission determine to be 
                appropriate for general public outreach relating to 
                advanced nuclear technologies, production facilities, 
                and utilization facilities.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program under 
        this subsection $15,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2020 
        through 2029.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATION, AND 
              DEVELOPMENT.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) In General.--Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16272) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Advanced Reactor Technologies Development Program.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
        program under which the Secretary shall conduct research 
        relating to the development of innovative nuclear reactor 
        technologies that may offer improved safety, functionality, and 
        affordability by enhancing existing nuclear 
        technologies.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Requirements.--The program under this 
        subsection shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) support efforts to reduce long-term 
                technical barriers for advanced nuclear energy 
                systems;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) identify potential regulatory issues 
                relating to advanced nuclear reactors;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) be carried out in consultation with 
                the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure 
                identification of any relevant concerns;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) support international activities 
                carried out pursuant to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the Generation IV 
                        International Forum; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) any other international 
                        collaborative effort with respect to advanced 
                        nuclear reactor operations and 
                        safety;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) support research and development 
                relating to enhancing the proliferation resistance of 
                nuclear technologies; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) support research and development 
                projects carried out by National Laboratories, 
                institutions of higher education, and other industry 
                entities relating to nuclear technology, including the 
                development of--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) codes and 
                        standards;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) sensors and 
                        instrumentation;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) probabilistic risk 
                        assessments methods; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) other technologies to 
                        support the development of advanced nuclear 
                        reactor systems.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Areas of focus and inclusions.--The program 
        under this subsection shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) focus on research and development 
                activities relating to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) fast reactors;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) high-temperature, gas-
                        cooled nuclear reactors; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) molten salt reactors; 
                        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) with respect to the activities 
                described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph 
                (A), include research and development relating to 
                advanced fuels.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Supercritical transformational electric 
        power research and development.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the 
                program under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
                develop and implement a public-private cost-shared 
                supercritical carbon dioxide (commonly known as 
                `sCO<INF>2</INF>') Brayton cycle subprogram, including 
                research and development of supercritical carbon 
                dioxide technologies.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Requirement.--In carrying out the 
                subprogram under this paragraph, the Secretary shall 
                solicit and evaluate plans to encourage innovation, 
                support technology advances, and enhance the safety and 
                performance of advanced nuclear reactor 
                systems.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Technical review panel.--The 
                Secretary shall establish a technical review panel for 
                the subprogram under this paragraph, which shall carry 
                out consultation and collaboration with appropriate 
                industry entities--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) to evaluate advanced nuclear 
                        reactor technologies;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) to identify research and 
                        development opportunities; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) to publish information 
                        regarding cost-shared research and development 
                        investment decisions to facilitate 
                        commercialization.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection $120,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Fuel Cycle Research and Development Program.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
        program under which the Secretary shall conduct research 
        relating to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) consent-based interim 
                storage;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) transportation of nuclear 
                waste;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) potential alternative disposal 
                options for Department-managed--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) spent nuclear fuel; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) high-level radioactive 
                        waste; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) disposition alternatives for 
                defense-related nuclear waste.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Areas of focus.--In carrying out this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall focus on activities relating 
        to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) relevant research and development; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) integrated waste management, 
                including by conducting research and development 
                activities relating to the storage, transportation, and 
                disposal of used nuclear fuel and wastes generated by 
                existing and future fuel cycles.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection $200,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Material Recovery and Waste Form Development.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
        program under which the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) conduct research relating to 
                advanced nuclear material recovery and advanced nuclear 
                waste from development technologies to improve fuel 
                cycle performance with reductions in processing, waste 
                generation, and potential for material diversion; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) to the maximum extent practicable, 
                apply the technical expertise achieved through that 
                research to a broad range of programs and activities, 
                including activities relating to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) environmental 
                        remediation;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) national security; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) subject to paragraph (2), 
                        civilian nuclear applications.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Civilian nuclear applications.--Any research 
        carried out under this subsection relating to civilian nuclear 
        applications shall include research relating to improving the 
        economics and nonproliferation attributes of recycling light 
        water reactor fuels and advanced reactor fuels.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Advanced Fuels.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
        program under which the Secretary shall conduct research 
        relating to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) next-generation light water reactor 
                fuels that demonstrate enhanced--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) performance; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) accident tolerance; 
                        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) fuels that demonstrate enhanced--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) proliferation resistance; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) use of resources.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the program 
        under this subsection, the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) focus on the development of 
                accident-tolerant fuel and cladding concepts that are 
                capable of achieving the objective of initiating core 
                reloads by calendar year 2025;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B)(i) develop modeling capabilities for 
                new fuel concepts;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(ii) conduct studies regarding the means 
                by which those concepts would impact reactor economics, 
                the fuel cycle, operations, safety, and the 
                environment; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(iii) subject to paragraph (3), publish 
                the studies conducted under clause (ii); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) cooperate with institutions of 
                higher education through the Nuclear Energy University 
                and Integrated Research Projects programs of the 
                Department.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Sensitive information.--The Secretary shall 
        not publish any information under paragraph (2)(B)(iii) that is 
        detrimental to national security, as determined by the 
        Secretary.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection $120,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(i) Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
        program under which the Secretary shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) conduct research relating to 
                modeling and simulation tools;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) provide access to unique nuclear 
                energy research capabilities through the Nuclear 
                Science User Facilities of the Department; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) address workforce needs in critical, 
                focused nuclear energy-related fields.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Support for nuclear initiatives.--The 
        program under this subsection shall support the goals, 
        objectives, and activities of the National Reactor Innovation 
        Center and the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear 
        initiative of the Department to make nuclear energy research 
        capabilities accessible to industry engineers and scientists 
        through a public-private partnership.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Crosscutting technology development 
        subprogram.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the 
                program under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
                establish a crosscutting technology subprogram, under 
                which the Secretary shall provide assistance for high-
                priority research and development activities relating 
                to innovative solutions to nuclear energy challenges 
                carried out by--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) institutions of higher 
                        education;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) National Laboratories; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) industry 
                        entities.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Requirements.--In carrying out the 
                subprogram established under subparagraph (A), the 
                Secretary shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) invest in competitive, 
                        nuclear energy-related infrastructure 
                        enhancement activities carried out at National 
                        Laboratories to ensure researchers have access 
                        to state-of-the-art research and development 
                        resources;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) coordinate with other 
                        research and development programs of the Office 
                        of Nuclear Energy to ensure that developed 
                        technologies and capabilities are part of an 
                        integrated investment strategy, the overall 
                        focus of which is improving safety, security, 
                        reliability, and economics of operating nuclear 
                        power plants; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) focus on--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) new capabilities 
                                relating to nuclear energy research and 
                                development;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) enabling 
                                technologies beyond individual 
                                programs;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) coordinating 
                                capabilities among research and 
                                development programs of the Office of 
                                Nuclear Energy;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) examining new 
                                classes of materials not considered for 
                                nuclear applications;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(V) high-risk research, 
                                which could potentially overcome 
                                technological limitations; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VI) the potential for 
                                industry partnerships to develop 
                                technologies relating to storage, 
                                hydrogen production, high-temperature 
                                process heat, and other relevant 
                                areas.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Nuclear energy advanced modeling and 
        simulation subprogram.--In carrying out the program under this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall establish a nuclear energy 
        advanced modeling and simulation subprogram, under which the 
        Secretary shall develop advanced modeling and simulation tools 
        to support programs carried out by the Office of Nuclear 
        Energy, including multiscale models of physics and chemistry 
        that support advanced computational methods for simulations of 
        nuclear energy systems.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Nuclear science user facilities 
        subprogram.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the 
                program under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
                establish a Nuclear Science User Facilities subprogram 
                under which the Secretary shall provide assistance--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) to promote the use of 
                        nuclear research facilities; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) to encourage engagement 
                        across institutions of higher education, 
                        industry entities, and National Laboratories 
                        relating to relevant nuclear science 
                        research.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Requirements.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The Secretary 
                        shall provide assistance under this paragraph, 
                        and solicit applications under clause (ii), on 
                        an annual basis.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Applications.--To be 
                        eligible to receive assistance under this 
                        paragraph for a fiscal year, an individual or 
                        entity conducting nuclear research shall submit 
                        to the Secretary an application that 
                        describes--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the research project 
                                proposed to be carried out at a nuclear 
                                research facility;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) timelines for the 
                                proposed research; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) the Nuclear 
                                Science User Facility at which the 
                                project is proposed to be carried 
                                out.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) Use of funds.--Assistance 
                        provided under this paragraph may be used--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) for experiment 
                                support and laboratory services costs; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) only at a Nuclear 
                                Science User Facility.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Access.--In carrying out the 
                subprogram under this paragraph, the Secretary shall 
                provide to recipients of assistance under the 
                subprogram no-cost access to--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the advanced test reactor of 
                        the Idaho National Laboratory;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) post-irradiation 
                        examination facilities at the Materials and 
                        Fuels Complex;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) research reactors at--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) Oak Ridge National 
                                Laboratory;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) Massachusetts 
                                Institute of Technology; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) North Carolina 
                                State University;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) beam line capabilities at 
                        the Advanced Photon Source, in coordination 
                        with the Illinois Institute of 
                        Technology;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) irradiation experiment 
                        design and fabrication capabilities at Pacific 
                        Northwest National Laboratory;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) hot cells and fabrication 
                        capabilities at Westinghouse Electric Company; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) examination facilities 
                        at--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the University of 
                                California-Berkeley;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) the University of 
                                Michigan;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) the University of 
                                Nevada-Las Vegas;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) Purdue 
                                University;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(V) the University at 
                                Wisconsin; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VI) to the maximum 
                                extent practicable, any other 
                                facilities needed to support the 
                                Nuclear Science User 
                                Facility.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Nuclear energy traineeships subprogram.--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Establishment.--In carrying out the 
                program under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
                establish a nuclear energy traineeships subprogram 
                under which the Secretary shall establish competitively 
                awarded traineeships and apprenticeships in industries 
                that are represented by skilled labor unions and with 
                institutions of higher education to provide focused, 
                graduate-level training to meet highly focused needs 
                through a tailored academic graduate program that 
                delivers a curriculum with a rigorous thesis or 
                dissertation research requirement aligned with the 
                critical needs of the Department with respect to 
                mission-driven workforce.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Requirements.--In carrying out the 
                subprogram under this paragraph, the Secretary shall--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) encourage appropriate 
                        partnerships among National Laboratories, 
                        affected institutions of higher education, and 
                        industry; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) on an annual basis, 
                        evaluate the needs of the nuclear energy 
                        community to implement traineeships for focused 
                        topical areas addressing mission-specific 
                        workforce needs.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection $150,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(j) Radiological Facilities Management.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
        program under which the Secretary shall provide project 
        management, technical support, quality engineering and 
        inspection, and nuclear material support to 25 research 
        reactors located at 24 institutions of higher 
        education.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Elements.--The program under this subsection 
        shall include--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) delivery of plate fuel elements as 
                required annually by the recipient research reactors, 
                as determined based on--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) need; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) fuel 
                        availability;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) delivery of Training, Research, 
                Isotopes, General Atomics (commonly known as `TRIGA') 
                reactor fuel elements from recipient institutions of 
                higher education to used fuel receipt facilities of the 
                Department; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) funding for required safety upgrades 
                to allow resumption of research reactor fuel 
                fabrication operations at TRIGA International in 
                Romans, France.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection $30,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2020 through 2029.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(k) International Nuclear Energy Cooperation.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
        program under which the Secretary shall develop bilateral 
        collaboration initiatives with a variety of countries through--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) research and development 
                agreements;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) other relevant arrangements and 
                action plan updates; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) maintaining existing multilateral 
                cooperation commitments of--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the International Framework 
                        for Nuclear Energy Cooperation; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the International Atomic 
                        Energy Agency.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Treatment.--The program under this 
        subsection shall be considered to be the lead program of the 
        Department with respect to international activities relating to 
        civil nuclear energy, including--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) analysis, development, coordination, 
                and implementation of international civil nuclear 
                energy policy; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) integration of international nuclear 
                technical activities.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Subprogram.--In carrying out the program 
        under this subsection, the Secretary shall establish a 
        subprogram that shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) support diplomatic, 
                nonproliferation, climate, and international economic 
                objectives for the safe, secure, and peaceful use of 
                nuclear technology in countries developing nuclear 
                energy programs; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) shall be modeled after the 
                International Military Education and Training program 
                of the Department of State.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Requirements.--The program under this 
        subsection shall be carried out--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) to facilitate, to the maximum extent 
                practicable, workshops and expert-based exchanges to 
                engage industry, stakeholders, and foreign governments 
                regarding international civil nuclear issues, such as 
                training, financing, safety, and options for 
                multinational cooperation on used nuclear fuel 
                disposal; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) in coordination with--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the National Security 
                        Council;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) the Secretary of 
                        State;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) the Secretary of Commerce; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) the Nuclear Regulatory 
                        Commission.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There is 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2020 through 2029, of which $5,500,000 shall be used each 
        fiscal year to carry out the subprogram under paragraph 
        (3).''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Cost Sharing.--Section 988(b)(2) of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16352(b)(2)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in the paragraph heading, by striking 
        ``Exclusion'' and inserting ``Exclusions'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking ``apply to'' and inserting the 
        following: ``apply--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) to'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in subparagraph (A) (as so designated), by 
        striking the period at the end and inserting ``; or''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) to programs under subsections (e) 
                through (k) of section 952.''.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Nuclear Energy Renewal Act of 
2019''.

SEC. 2. LIGHT WATER REACTOR SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM.

    Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16272) is 
amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Light Water Reactor Sustainability Program.--The Secretary 
shall carry out a light water reactor sustainability program--
            ``(1) to ensure the achievement of maximum benefits from 
        existing nuclear generation;
            ``(2) to accommodate the increase in applications for 
        nuclear power plant license renewals expected as of the date of 
        enactment of this subsection;
            ``(3) to enable the continued operation of existing nuclear 
        power plants through technology development;
            ``(4) to improve the performance and reduce the operation 
        and maintenance costs of nuclear power plants;
            ``(5) to promote the use of high-performance computing to 
        simulate nuclear reactor processes;
            ``(6) to coordinate with other research and development 
        programs of the Office of Nuclear Energy to ensure that 
        developed technologies and capabilities are part of an 
        integrated investment strategy, the overall focus of which is 
        improving the safety, security, reliability, and economics of 
        operating nuclear power plants; and
            ``(7) to focus on--
                    ``(A) new capabilities relating to nuclear energy 
                research and development;
                    ``(B) enabling technologies beyond individual 
                programs;
                    ``(C) coordinating capabilities among the research 
                and development programs of the Office of Nuclear 
                Energy;
                    ``(D) examining new classes of materials not 
                considered for nuclear applications;
                    ``(E) high-risk research, which could potentially 
                overcome technological limitations; and
                    ``(F) the potential for industry partnerships to 
                develop technologies relating to storage, hydrogen 
                production, high-temperature process heat, and other 
                relevant areas.''.

SEC. 3. NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION.

    Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16272) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e) Advanced Reactor Technologies Development Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
        under which the Secretary shall conduct research relating to 
        the development of innovative nuclear reactor technologies that 
        may offer improved safety, functionality, and affordability.
            ``(2) Requirements.--The program under this subsection 
        shall--
                    ``(A) support efforts to reduce long-term technical 
                barriers for advanced nuclear energy systems; and
                    ``(B) be carried out in consultation with the 
                Nuclear Regulatory Commission to ensure identification 
                of any relevant concerns.''.

SEC. 4. ADVANCED FUELS DEVELOPMENT.

    Section 953 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16273) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsections (a) through (d) as 
        paragraphs (1), (3), (4), and (5), respectively, and indenting 
        appropriately;
            (2) in paragraph (1) (as so redesignated)--
                    (A) by striking ``this section'' and inserting 
                ``this subsection'';
                    (B) by striking ``minimize environmental'' and 
                inserting ``improve fuel cycle performance while 
                minimizing the cost and complexity of processing, 
                environmental impacts,''; and
                    (C) by striking ``the Generation IV'';
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
            ``(2) Considerations.--In carrying out activities under the 
        program, the Secretary shall consider the potential benefits of 
        those activities for civilian nuclear applications, 
        environmental remediation, and national security.'';
            (4) by inserting after paragraph (5) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
            ``(6) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program 
        $40,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024.'';
            (5) by inserting before paragraph (1) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
    ``(a) Material Recovery and Waste Form Development.--''; and
            (6) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Advanced Fuels.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
        to conduct research relating to--
                    ``(A) next-generation light water reactor fuels 
                that demonstrate improved--
                            ``(i) performance; and
                            ``(ii) accident tolerance; and
                    ``(B) advanced reactor fuels that demonstrate 
                improved--
                            ``(i) proliferation resistance; and
                            ``(ii) use of resources.
            ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the program under this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) focus on the development of accident-tolerant 
                fuel and cladding concepts that are capable of 
                achieving initial commercialization by December 31, 
                2025;
                    ``(B) conduct studies regarding the means by which 
                those concepts would impact reactor economics, the fuel 
                cycle, operations, safety, and the environment;
                    ``(C) subject to paragraph (3), publish the results 
                of the studies conducted under subparagraph (B); and
                    ``(D) cooperate with institutions of higher 
                education through the Nuclear Energy University and 
                Integrated Research Projects programs of the 
                Department.
            ``(3) Sensitive information.--The Secretary shall not 
        publish any information under paragraph (2)(C) that is 
        detrimental to national security, as determined by the 
        Secretary.
            ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program 
        under this subsection $120,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
        2020 through 2024.''.

SEC. 5. NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT.

    (a) In General.--Section 954 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 16274) is amended--
            (1) in the section heading, by striking ``University 
        nuclear'' and inserting ``Nuclear'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``this section'' and inserting ``this 
                subsection''; and
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (5) as 
                subparagraphs (A) through (E), respectively, and 
                indenting appropriately;
            (3) in subsection (c), by redesignating paragraphs (1) and 
        (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, and indenting 
        appropriately;
            (4) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by 
                striking ``this section'' and inserting ``this 
                subsection''; and
                    (B) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as 
                subparagraphs (A) through (D), respectively, and 
                indenting appropriately;
            (5) in subsection (e), by striking ``this section'' and 
        inserting ``this subsection'';
            (6) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) by striking ``this section'' and inserting 
                ``this subsection''; and
                    (B) by striking ``subsection (b)(2)'' and inserting 
                ``paragraph (2)(B)'';
            (7) by redesignating subsections (a) through (f) as 
        paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (4), (6), and (7), respectively, and 
        indenting appropriately;
            (8) by inserting after paragraph (4) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
            ``(5) Radiological facilities management.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
                program under which the Secretary shall provide project 
                management, technical support, quality engineering and 
                inspection, and nuclear material support to research 
                reactors located at universities.
                    ``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--In addition 
                to any amounts appropriated to carry out the program 
                under this subsection, there is authorized to be 
                appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program 
                under this paragraph $15,000,000 for each of fiscal 
                years 2020 through 2024.'';
            (9) by inserting before paragraph (1) (as so redesignated) 
        the following:
    ``(a) University Nuclear Science and Engineering Support.--''; and
            (10) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship Subprogram.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--In carrying out the program under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a nuclear energy 
        apprenticeship subprogram under which the Secretary shall 
        establish competitively awarded traineeships and 
        apprenticeships in industries that are represented by skilled 
        labor unions and with universities to provide focused, 
        graduate-level training to meet highly focused needs through a 
        tailored academic graduate program that delivers a curriculum 
        with a rigorous thesis or dissertation research requirement 
        aligned with the critical needs of the Department with respect 
        to mission-driven workforce.
            ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the subprogram under 
        this subsection, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) encourage appropriate partnerships among 
                National Laboratories, affected universities, and 
                industry; and
                    ``(B) on an annual basis, evaluate the needs of the 
                nuclear energy community to implement traineeships for 
                focused topical areas addressing mission-specific 
                workforce needs.
            ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the subprogram 
        under this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 
        through 2024.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 600) is amended by 
striking the item relating to section 954 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 954. Nuclear science and engineering support.''.

SEC. 6. INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle H of Title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16341 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``SEC. 986B. INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION. --

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a program to 
develop bilateral collaboration initiatives with a variety of countries 
through--
            ``(1) research and development agreements;
            ``(2) other relevant arrangements and action plan updates; 
        and
            ``(3) maintaining existing multilateral cooperation 
        commitments of--
                    ``(A) the International Framework for Nuclear 
                Energy Cooperation;
                    ``(B) the Generation IV International Forum;
                    ``(C) the International Atomic Energy Agency; and
                    ``(D) any other international collaborative effort 
                with respect to advanced nuclear reactor operations and 
                safety.
    ``(b) Subprogram.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the program under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a subprogram that 
        shall--
                    ``(A) support diplomatic, nonproliferation, 
                climate, and international economic objectives for the 
                safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technology in 
                countries developing nuclear energy programs, with a 
                focus on countries that have increased civil nuclear 
                cooperation with Russia and China; and
                    ``(B) be modeled after the International Military 
                Education and Training program of the Department of 
                State.
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the subprogram 
        under this subsection $5,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 
        through 2024.
    ``(c) Requirements.--The program under subsection (a) shall be 
carried out--
            ``(1) to facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable, 
        workshops and expert-based exchanges to engage industry, 
        stakeholders, and foreign governments regarding international 
        civil nuclear issues, such as training, financing, safety, and 
        options for multinational cooperation on used nuclear fuel 
        disposal; and
            ``(2) in coordination with--
                    ``(A) the National Security Council;
                    ``(B) the Secretary of State;
                    ``(C) the Secretary of Commerce; and
                    ``(D) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 600) is amended by 
inserting after the item relating to section 986A the following:

``Sec. 986B. International nuclear energy cooperation.''.
            Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill to amend the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005 to support nuclear energy research, 
        development, and demonstration, and for other purposes.''.
                                                       Calendar No. 353

116th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                S. 2368

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  To amend the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 to support licensing and relicensing of certain nuclear facilities 
 and nuclear energy research, demonstration, and development, and for 
                            other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           December 17, 2019

        Reported with an amendment and an amendment to the title