Regulatory issues for nuclear facilities at brownfield sites and retired fossil fuel sites

(a)

Definitions

In this section:(1)

Brownfield site

The term brownfield site has the meaning given the term in section 101 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601).(2)

Commission

The term Commission means the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.(3)

Covered site

The term covered site means a brownfield site, a retired fossil fuel site, or a site that is both a retired fossil fuel site and a brownfield site. (4)

Production facility

The term production facility has the meaning given the term in section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014).(5)

Retired fossil fuel site

The term retired fossil fuel site means the site of 1 or more fossil fuel electric generation facilities that are retired or scheduled to retire, including multiunit facilities that are partially shut down.(6)

Utilization facility

The term utilization facility has the meaning given the term in section 11 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2014).(b)

Identification of regulatory issues

(1)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall evaluate the extent to which modification of regulations, guidance, or policy is needed to enable timely licensing reviews for, and to support the oversight of, production facilities or utilization facilities at covered sites.(2)

Requirement

In carrying out paragraph (1), the Commission shall consider how licensing reviews for production facilities or utilization facilities at covered sites may be expedited by—(A)siting and operating a production facility or a utilization facility at or near existing site infrastructure to support the reuse of such infrastructure, including—(i)electric switchyard components and transmission infrastructure;(ii)heat-sink components;(iii)steam cycle components;(iv)roads;(v)railroad access; and(vi)water availability; (B)using early site permits;(C)using plant parameter envelopes or similar standardized site parameters on a portion of a larger site; and(D)using a standardized application for similar sites.(3)

Report

Not later than 14 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report describing any regulations, guidance, and policies evaluated under paragraph (1).(c)

Licensing

(1)

In general

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall, based on the evaluation under subsection (b)—(A)develop and implement strategies to enable timely licensing reviews for, and to support the oversight of, production facilities or utilization facilities at covered sites; and(B)initiate a rulemaking to enable timely licensing reviews for, and to support the oversight of, production facilities or utilization facilities at covered sites.(2)

Requirements

In carrying out paragraph (1), consistent with the mission of the Commission, the Commission shall consider matters relating to—(A)the use of existing site infrastructure;(B)existing emergency preparedness organizations and planning;(C)the availability of historical site-specific environmental data;(D)previously completed environmental reviews required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.);(E)activities associated with the potential decommissioning of facilities or decontamination and remediation at covered sites; and(F)community engagement and historical experience with energy production.(d)

Report

Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report describing the actions taken by the Commission under subsection (c)(1).