[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1016-S1018]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. Domenici, and Mr. Crapo):
  S. 242. A bill to authorize funding for University Nuclear Science 
and Engineering Programs at the Department of Energy for fiscal years 
2002 through 2006; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill 
authorizing the Secretary of Energy to provide for the Office of 
Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology to reverse a serious decline in 
our nation's educational capability to produce future nuclear 
scientists and engineers. This bi-partisan bill which is referred to as 
the ``Department of Energy University Nuclear Science and Engineering 
Act'' is co-sponsored by my colleagues Mr. Domenici and Mr. Crapo. Let 
me outline how serious this decline is, after doing so I will outline 
its impact on our nation and then discuss how this bill attempts to 
remedy this situation.
  As of this year, the supply of four-year trained nuclear scientists 
and engineers is at a 35-year low. The number of four-year programs 
across our nation to train future nuclear scientists has declined to 
approximately 25--a 50 percent reduction since about 1970. Two-thirds 
of the nuclear science and engineering faculty are over age 45 with 
little if any ability to draw new and young talent to replace them. 
Universities across the United States cannot afford to maintain their 
small research reactors forcing their closure at an alarming rate. This 
year there are only 28 operating research and training reactors, over a 
50 percent decline since 1980. Most if not all of these reactors were 
built in the late 1950's and early 60's and were licensed initially for 
30 to 40 years. As a result, within the next five years the majority of 
these 28 reactors will have to be relicensed. Relicensing is a long, 
lengthy process which most universities cannot and will not afford. 
Interestingly, the employment demand for nuclear scientists and 
engineers exceeds our nation's ability to supply them. This year, the 
demand exceeded supply by 350, by 2003 it will be over 400. Our current 
projections are that in five years 76 percent of the nation's nuclear 
workforce can retire, the university pipeline of new scientists and 
engineers is moving in the wrong direction to meet this national 
problem.
  These human resource and educational infrastructure problems are 
serious. The decline in a competently

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trained nuclear workforce affects a broad range of national issues.
  We need nuclear engineers and health physicists to help design, 
safely dispose and monitor nuclear waste, both civilian and military.
  We rely on nuclear physicists and scientists in the field of nuclear 
medicine to develop radio isotopes for the thousands of medical 
procedures performed everyday across our nation--to help save lives.
  We must continue to operate and safely maintain our existing supply 
of fission reactors and respond to any future nuclear crisis 
worldwide--it takes nuclear scientists, engineers and health physicists 
to do that.
  Our national security and treaty commitments rely on nuclear 
scientists to help stem the proliferation of nuclear weapons whether in 
our national laboratories or as part of worldwide inspection teams in 
such places as Iraq. Nuclear scientists are needed to convert existing 
reactors worldwide from highly enriched to low enriched fuels.
  Nuclear engineers and health physicists are needed to design, operate 
and monitor future Naval Reactors. The Navy by itself cannot train 
students for their four year degrees--they only provide advance 
postgraduate training on their reactor's operation.
  Basically, we are looking at the potential loss of a 50 year 
investment in a field which our nation started and leads the world in. 
What is worse, this loss is a downward self-feeding spiral. Poor 
departments cannot attract bright students and bright students will not 
carry on the needed cutting edge research that leads to promising young 
faculty members. Our system of nuclear education and training, in which 
we used to lead the world, is literally imploding upon itself.
  I've laid out in this bill some proposals that I hope will seed a 
national debate in the upcoming 107th Congress on what we as a nation 
need to do to help solve this very serious problem. It is not a perfect 
bill, but I think it should start the ball rolling. I welcome all forms 
of bipartisan input on it. I hope that my colleagues in the House 
Science Committee looks favorably at this worthy effort and I would 
suggest joint hearings so that we as a Congressional body can hear 
together the testimony on the serious decline that we now face. My 
staff has worked from consensus reports from the scientific community 
developed by the Nuclear Energy Advisory Committee to the Department of 
Energy's Office of Nuclear Science and Technology, in particular its 
subcommittee on Education and Training. The report is available on the 
Office's website. I encourage everyone to read and look at these 
startling statistics.
  Here is an outline of what is in the bill.
  First and foremost, we need to concentrate on attracting good 
undergraduate students to the nuclear sciences. I have proposed 
enhancing the current program which provides fellowships to graduate 
students and extends that to undergraduate students.
  Second, we need to attract new and young faculty. I've proposed a 
Junior Faculty Research Initiation Grant Program which is similar to 
the NSF programs targeted only towards supporting new faculty during 
the first 5 years of their career at a university. These first five 
years are critical years that either make or break new faculty.
  Third, I've proposed enhancing the Office's Nuclear Engineering 
Education and Research Program. This program is critical to university 
faculty and graduate students by supporting only the most fundamental 
research in nuclear science and engineering. These fundamental programs 
ultimately will strengthen our industrial base and over all economic 
competitiveness.
  Fourth, I've strengthened the Office's applied nuclear science 
program by ensuring that universities play an important role in 
collaboration with the national labs and industry. This collaboration 
is the most basic form of tech transfer, it is face-to-face contact and 
networking between faculty, students and the applied world of research 
and industry. This program will ensure a transition between the student 
and their future employer.
  Finally, I've strengthened what I consider the most crucial element 
of this program--ensuring that future generations of students and 
professors have well maintained research reactors.
  I've proposed to increase the funding levels for refueling and 
upgrading academic reactor instrumentation.
  I propose to start a new program whereby faculty can apply for 
reactor research and training awards to provide for reactor 
improvements.
  I have proposed a novel program whereby as part of a student's 
undergraduate and graduate thesis project, they help work on the re-
licensing of their own research reactors. This program must be in 
collaboration with industry which already has ample experience in 
relicensing. Such a program will once again provide face-to-face 
networking and training between student, teacher and ultimately their 
employer.
  I have proposed a fellowship program whereby faculty can take their 
sabbatical year at a DOE laboratory. Under this program DOE laboratory 
staff can co-teach university courses and give extended seminars. This 
program also provides for part time employment of students at the DOE 
labs--we are talking about bringing in new and young talent.
  For the research funds allocated, I have permitted portions be used 
to operating the reactor during the investigation. I make this 
allocation provided that the investigator's host institution makes a 
cost sharing commitment in its operation. My intent is clearly not to 
make the program simply fund the operations and maintenance of 
university reactors; it must be tied to the bill's research. The cost 
sharing insures that the host institution does not simply reallocate 
the funds already committed to operating the reactor.
  In making all of these proposals, let me emphasize that each one of 
these programs I have described is intended to be peer reviewed and to 
have awards made strictly on merit of the proposals submitted. This 
program is not a hand out. Each element that I am proposing requires 
that faculty innovate and compete for these funds. Those institutions 
that do not win such competitions will have the choice of funding the 
research reactor activities themselves or consider shutting them down.
  I have outlined a very serious problem that if not corrected now will 
cost far more to correct later on. If the program I have outlined is 
implemented, then it will strengthen our reputation as a leader in the 
nuclear sciences, strengthen our national security and our ability to 
compete in the world market place.
  Mr. President, I ask for unanimous consent that the text of this bill 
be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 242

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as ``Department of Energy University 
     Nuclear Science and Engineering Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds the following:
       (1) U.S. university nuclear science and engineering 
     programs are in a state of serious decline. The supply of 
     bachelor degree nuclear science and engineering personnel in 
     the United States is at a 35-year low. The number of four 
     year degree nuclear engineering programs has declined 50 
     percent to approximately 25 programs nationwide. Over two-
     thirds of the faculty in these programs are 45 years or 
     older.
       (2) Universities cannot afford to support their research 
     and training reactors. Since 1980, the number of small 
     training reactors in the United States have declined by over 
     50 percent to 28 reactors. Most of these reactors were built 
     in the late 1950s and 1960s with 30- to 40-year operating 
     licenses, and will require re-licensing in the next several 
     years.
       (3) The neglect in human investment and training 
     infrastructure is affecting 50 years of national R&D 
     investment. The decline in a competent nuclear workforce, and 
     the lack of adequately trained nuclear scientists and 
     engineers, will affect the ability of the United States to 
     solve future waste storage issues, maintain basic nuclear 
     health physics programs, operate existing and design future 
     fission reactors in the United States, respond to future 
     nuclear events worldwide, help stem the proliferation of 
     nuclear weapons, and design and operate naval nuclear 
     reactors.
       (4) Further neglect in the nation's investment in human 
     resources for the nuclear sciences will lead to a downward 
     spiral. As the number of nuclear science departments shrink, 
     faculties age, and training reactors

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     close, the appeal of nuclear science will be lost to future 
     generations of students.
       (5) Current projections are that 76% of the nation's 
     professional nuclear workforce can retire in 5 years, a new 
     supply of trained scientists and engineers is needed.
       (6) The Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy, 
     Science and Technology is well suited to help maintain 
     tomorrow's human resource and training investment in the 
     nuclear sciences. Through its support of research and 
     development pursuant to the Department's statutory 
     authorities, the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and 
     Technology is the principal federal agent for civilian 
     research in the nuclear sciences for the United States. The 
     Office maintains the Nuclear Engineering and Education 
     Research Program which funds basic nuclear science and 
     engineering. The Office funds the Nuclear Energy and Research 
     Initiative which funds applied collaborative research among 
     universities, industry and national laboratories in the areas 
     of proliferation resistant fuel cycles and future fission 
     power systems. The Office funds Universities to refuel 
     training reactors from highly enriched to low enriched 
     proliferation tolerant fuels, performs instrumentation 
     upgrades and maintains a program of student fellowships for 
     nuclear science, engineering and health physics.

     SEC. 3. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Energy, through the 
     Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, shall 
     support a program to maintain the nation's human resource 
     investment and infrastructure in the nuclear sciences and 
     engineering consistent with the Department's statutory 
     authorities related to civilian nuclear research and 
     development.
       (b) Duties of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and 
     Technology.--In carrying out the program under this Act, the 
     Director of the Office of Nuclear Science and Technology 
     shall--
       (1) develop a robust graduate and undergraduate fellowship 
     program to attract new and talented students;
       (2) assist universities in recruiting and retaining new 
     faculty in the nuclear sciences and engineering through a 
     Junior Faculty Research Initiation Grant Program;
       (3) maintain a robust investment in the fundamental nuclear 
     sciences and engineering through the Nuclear Engineering 
     Education Research Program;
       (4) encourage collaborative nuclear research between 
     industry, national laboratories and universities through the 
     Nuclear Energy Research Initiative; and
       (5) support communication and outreach related to nuclear 
     science and engineering.
       (c) Maintaining University Research and Training Reactors 
     and Associated Infrastructure.--Within the funds authorized 
     to be appropriated pursuant to this Act, the amounts 
     specified under section 4(b) shall, subject to 
     appropriations, be available for the following research and 
     training reactor infrastructure maintenance and research:
       (1) Refueling of research reactors with low enriched fuels, 
     upgrade of operational instrumentation, and sharing of 
     reactors among universities.
       (2) In collaboration with the U.S. nuclear industry, 
     assistance, where necessary, in re-licensing and upgrading 
     training reactors as part of a student training program.
       (3) A reactor research and training award program that 
     provides for reactor improvements as part of a focused effort 
     that emphasizes research, training, and education.
       (d) University--DOE Laboratory Interactions.--The Secretary 
     of Energy, through the Office of Nuclear Science and 
     Technology, shall develop--
       (1) a sabbatical fellowship program for university 
     professors to spend extended periods of time at Department of 
     Energy laboratories in the areas of nuclear science and 
     technology; and
       (2) a visiting scientist program in which laboratory staff 
     can spend time in academic nuclear science and engineering 
     departments.

     The Secretary may under section 3(b)(1) provide for 
     fellowships for students to spend time at Department of 
     Energy laboratories in the area of nuclear science under the 
     mentorship of laboratory staff.
       (3) Operations and Maintenance.--For the research programs 
     described, portions thereof may be used to supplement 
     operation of the research reactor during investigator's 
     proposed effort provided the host institution provides cost 
     sharing in the reactor's operation.
       (f) Merit Review Required.--All grants, contracts, 
     cooperative agreements, or other financial assistance awards 
     under this Act shall be made only after independent merit 
     review.

     SEC. 4. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Total Authorization.--The following sums are authorized 
     to be appropriate to the Secretary of Energy, to remain 
     available until expended, for the purposes of carrying out 
     this Act:
       (1) $30,200,000 for fiscal year 2002.
       (2) $41,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
       (3) $47,900,000 for fiscal year 2004.
       (4) $55,600,000 for fiscal year 2005.
       (5) $64,100,000 for fiscal year 2006.
       (b) Graduate and Undergraduate Fellowships.--Of the funds 
     under subsection (a), the following sums are authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out section 3(b)(1):
       (1) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
       (2) $3,100,000 for fiscal year 2003.
       (3) $3,200,000 for fiscal year 2004.
       (4) $3,200,000 for fiscal year 2005.
       (5) $3,200,000 for fiscal year 2006.
       (c) Junior Faculty Research Initiation Grant Program.--Of 
     the funds under subsection (a), the following sums are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 3(b)(2):
       (1) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
       (2) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
       (3) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
       (4) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
       (5) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
       (d) Nuclear Engineering and Education Research Program.--Of 
     the funds under subsection (a), the following sums are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 3(b)(3):
       (1) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
       (2) $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
       (3) $13,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
       (4) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
       (5) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
       (e) Communication and Outreach Related to Nuclear Science 
     and Engineering.--Of the funds under subsection (a), the 
     following sums are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
     section 3(b)(5):
       (1) $200,000 for fiscal year 2002.
       (2) $200,000 for fiscal year 2003.
       (3) $300,000 for fiscal year 2004.
       (4) $300,000 for fiscal year 2005.
       (5) $300,000 for fiscal year 2006.
       (f) Refueling of Research Reactors and Instrumentation 
     Upgrades.--Of the funds under subsection (a), the following 
     sums are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 
     3(c)(1):
       (1) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
       (2) $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2003.
       (3) $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
       (4) $7,500,000 for fiscal year 2005.
       (5) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
       (g) Re-Licensing Assistance.--Of the funds under subsection 
     (a), the following sums are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out section 3(c)(2):
       (1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
       (2) $1,100,000 for fiscal year 2003.
       (3) $1,200,000 for fiscal year 2004.
       (4) $1,300,000 for fiscal year 2005.
       (5) $1,300,000 for fiscal year 2006.
       (h) Reactor Research and Training Award Program.--Of the 
     funds under subsection (a), the following sums are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out section 3(c)(3):
       (1) $6,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
       (2) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
       (3) $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
       (4) $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
       (5) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
       (i) University--DOE Laboratory Interactions.--Of the funds 
     under subsection (a), the following sums are authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out section 3(d):
       (1) $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2002.
       (2) $1,100,000 for fiscal year 2003.
       (3) $1,200,000 for fiscal year 2004.
       (4) $1,300,000 for fiscal year 2005.
       (5) $1,300,000 for fiscal year 2006.
                                 ______