[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 154 (Tuesday, November 30, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H7730-H7734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2010
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 5866) to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005
requiring the Secretary of Energy to carry out initiatives to advance
innovation in nuclear energy technologies, to make nuclear energy
systems more competitive, to increase efficiency and safety of civilian
nuclear power, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 5866
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 the ``Nuclear Energy Research and
Development Act of 2010''.
SEC. 2. OBJECTIVES.
Section 951(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16271(a)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2) through (8) as
paragraphs (5) through (11), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new
paragraphs:
``(2) Reducing the costs of nuclear reactor systems.
``(3) Reducing used nuclear fuel and nuclear waste products
generated by civilian nuclear energy.
``(4) Supporting technological advances in areas that
industry by itself is not likely to undertake because of
technical and financial uncertainty.''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (11), as so redesignated,
the following new paragraph:
``(12) Researching and developing technologies and
processes so as to improve and streamline the process by
which nuclear power systems meet Federal and State
requirements and standards.''.
SEC. 3. FUNDING.
Section 951 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16271) is further amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraphs (1) through
(3) and inserting the following:
``(1) $419,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(2) $429,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
``(3) $439,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.''; and
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking ``under subsection (a)'' and inserting
``under subsection (b)'';
(B) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
``(1) For activities under section 953--
``(A) $201,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(B) $201,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
``(C) $201,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.''; and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new
paragraphs:
``(4) For activities under section 952, other than those
described in section 952(d)--
``(A) $64,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(B) $64,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
``(C) $64,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
``(5) For activities under section 952(d)--
``(A) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(B) $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
``(C) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
``(6) For activities under section 958--
``(A) $99,000,000 for fiscal year 2011;
``(B) $99,000,000 for fiscal year 2012; and
``(C) $99,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.''.
SEC. 4. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES STUDY.
Section 951 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16271) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(f) Program Objectives Study.--In furtherance of the
program objectives listed in subsection (a) of this section,
the Secretary shall, within one year after the date of
enactment of this subsection, transmit to the Congress a
report on the results of a study on the scientific and
technical merit of major State requirements and standards,
including moratoria, that delay or impede the further
development and commercialization of nuclear power, and how
the Department in implementing the programs can assist in
overcoming such delays or impediments.''.
SEC. 5. NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.
Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16272) is amended by striking subsections (c) through (e) and
inserting the following:
``(c) Reactor Concepts.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program
of research, development, demonstration, and commercial
application to advance nuclear power systems as well as
technologies to sustain currently deployed systems.
``(2) Designs and technologies.--In conducting the program
under this subsection, the Secretary shall examine advanced
reactor designs and nuclear technologies, including those
that--
``(A) are economically competitive with other electric
power generation plants;
``(B) have higher efficiency, lower cost, and improved
safety compared to reactors in operation as of the date of
enactment of the Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act
of 2010;
``(C) utilize passive safety features;
``(D) minimize proliferation risks;
``(E) substantially reduce production of high-level waste
per unit of output;
``(F) increase the life and sustainability of reactor
systems currently deployed;
``(G) use improved instrumentation;
``(H) are capable of producing large-scale quantities of
hydrogen or process heat; or
``(I) minimize water usage or use alternatives to water as
a cooling mechanism.
``(3) International cooperation.--In carrying out the
program under this subsection, the Secretary shall seek
opportunities to enhance the progress of the program through
international cooperation through such organizations as the
Generation IV International Forum, or any other international
collaboration the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(4) Exceptions.--No funds authorized to be appropriated
to carry out the activities described in this subsection
shall be used to fund the activities authorized under
sections 641 through 645.''.
SEC. 6. SMALL MODULAR REACTOR PROGRAM.
Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16272) is further amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(d) Small Modular Reactor Program.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) The Secretary shall carry out a small modular reactor
program to promote research, development, demonstration, and
commercial application of small modular reactors, including
through cost-shared projects for commercial application of
reactor systems designs.
``(B) The Secretary shall consult with and utilize the
expertise of the Secretary of the Navy in establishing and
carrying out such program.
``(C) Activities may also include development of advanced
computer modeling and simulation tools, by Federal and non-
Federal entities, which demonstrate and validate new design
capabilities of innovative small modular reactor designs.
[[Page H7731]]
``(2) Definition.--For the purposes of this subsection, the
term `small modular reactor' means a nuclear reactor--
``(A) with a rated capacity of less than 300 electrical
megawatts;
``(B) with respect to which most parts can be factory
assembled and shipped as modules to a reactor plant site for
assembly; and
``(C) that can be constructed and operated in combination
with similar reactors at a single site.
``(3) Limitation.--Demonstration activities carried out
under this section shall be limited to individual
technologies and systems, and shall not include demonstration
of full reactor systems or full plant operations.
``(4) Administration.--In conducting the small modular
reactor program, the Secretary may enter into cooperative
agreements to support small modular reactor designs that
enable--
``(A) lower capital costs or increased access to private
financing in comparison to current large reactor designs;
``(B) reduced long-term radiotoxicity, mass, or decay heat
of the nuclear waste produced by generation;
``(C) increased operating safety of nuclear facilities;
``(D) reduced dependence of reactor systems on water
resources;
``(E) increased seismic resistance of nuclear generation;
``(F) reduced proliferation risks through integrated
safeguards and security proliferation controls; and
``(G) increased efficiency in reactor manufacturing and
construction.
``(5) Application.--To be eligible to enter into a
cooperative agreement with the Secretary under this
subsection, an applicant shall submit to the Secretary a
proposal for the small modular reactor project to be
undertaken. The proposal shall document--
``(A) all partners and suppliers that will be active in the
small modular reactor project, including a description of
each partner or supplier's anticipated domestic and
international activities;
``(B) measures to be undertaken to enable cost-effective
implementation of the small modular reactor project;
``(C) an accounting structure approved by the Secretary;
``(D) all known assets that shall be contributed to satisfy
the cost-sharing requirement under paragraph (6); and
``(E) the extent to which the proposal will increase
domestic manufacturing activity, exports, or employment.
``(6) Cost sharing.--Notwithstanding section 988, the
Secretary shall require the parties to a cooperative
agreement under this subsection to be responsible for not
less than 50 percent of the costs of the small modular
reactor project.
``(7) Calculation of cost sharing amount.--A recipient of
financial assistance under this section may not satisfy the
cost sharing requirement under paragraph (6) by using funds
received from the Federal Government through appropriation
Acts.
``(8) Project selection criteria.--The Secretary shall
consider the following factors in entering into a cooperative
agreement under this subsection:
``(A) The domestic manufacturing capabilities of the
parties to the cooperative agreement and their partners and
suppliers.
``(B) The viability of the reactor design and the business
plan or plans of the parties to the cooperative agreement.
``(C) The parties to the cooperative agreement's potential
to continue the development of small modular reactors without
Federal subsidies or loan guarantees.
``(D) The cost share to be provided.
``(E) The degree to which the following goals will be
advanced:
``(i) Lower capital costs or increased access to private
financing in comparison to current large reactor designs.
``(ii) Reduced long-term radiotoxicity, mass, or decay heat
of the nuclear waste produced by generation.
``(iii) Increased operating safety of nuclear facilities.
``(iv) Reduced dependence of reactor systems on water
resources.
``(v) Increased seismic resistance of nuclear generation.
``(vi) Reduced proliferation risks through integrated
safeguards and security proliferation controls.
``(vii) Increased efficiency in reactor manufacturing and
construction.''.
SEC. 7. CONVENTIONAL IMPROVEMENTS TO NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS.
Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16272) is further amended by adding at the end the following
new subsection:
``(e) Conventional Improvements to Nuclear Power Plants.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may carry out a Nuclear
Energy Research Initiative for research and development
related to steam-side improvements to nuclear power plants to
promote the research, development, demonstration, and
commercial application of--
``(A) cooling systems;
``(B) turbine technologies;
``(C) heat exchangers and pump design;
``(D) special coatings to improve lifetime of components
and performance of heat exchangers; and
``(E) advanced power conversion systems for advanced
reactor technologies.
``(2) Administration.--The Secretary may undertake
initiatives under this subsection only when the goals are
relevant and proper to enhance the performance of
technologies developed under subsection (c). Not more than
$10,000,000 of funds authorized for this section may be used
for carrying out this subsection.''.
SEC. 8. FUEL CYCLE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) Amendments.--Section 953 of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16273) is amended--
(1) in the section heading by striking ``ADVANCED FUEL
CYCLE INITIATIVE'' and inserting ``FUEL CYCLE RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT'';
(2) by striking subsection (a);
(3) by redesignating subsections (b) through (d) as
subsections (e) through (g), respectively; and
(4) by inserting before subsection (e), as so redesignated
by paragraph (3) of this subsection, the following new
subsections:
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a fuel cycle
research, development, demonstration, and commercial
application program (referred to in this section as the
`program') on fuel cycle options that improve uranium
resource utilization, maximize energy generation, minimize
nuclear waste creation, improve safety, mitigate risk of
proliferation, and improve waste management in support of a
national strategy for spent nuclear fuel and the reactor
concepts research, development, demonstration, and commercial
application program under section 952(c).
``(b) Fuel Cycle Options.--Under this section the Secretary
may consider implementing the following initiatives:
``(1) Open cycle.--Developing fuels, including the use of
nonuranium materials, for use in reactors that increase
energy generation and minimize the amount of nuclear waste
produced in an open fuel cycle.
``(2) Modified open cycle.--Developing fuel forms,
reactors, and limited separation and transmutation methods
that increase fuel utilization and reduce nuclear waste in a
modified open fuel cycle.
``(3) Full recycle.--Developing advanced recycling
technologies, including Generation IV Reactors, to reduce the
risk of proliferation, radiotoxicity, mass, and decay heat to
the greatest extent possible.
``(4) Advanced storage methods.--Developing advanced
storage technologies for both onsite and long-term storage
that substantially prolong the effective life of current
storage devices or that substantially improve upon existing
nuclear waste storage technologies and methods, including
repositories.
``(5) Alternative and deep borehole storage methods.--
Developing alternative storage methods for long-term storage,
including deep boreholes into stable crystalline rock
formations and mined repositories in a range of geologic
media.
``(6) Other technologies.--Developing any other technology
or initiative that the Secretary determines is likely to
advance the objectives of the program established under
subsection (a).
``(c) Additional Advanced Recycling and Crosscutting
Activities.--In addition to and in support of the specific
initiatives described in paragraphs (1) through (6), the
Secretary may support the following activities:
``(1) Development and testing of integrated process flow
sheets for advanced nuclear fuel recycling processes.
``(2) Research to characterize the byproducts and waste
streams resulting from fuel recycling processes.
``(3) Research and development on reactor concepts or
transmutation technologies that improve resource utilization
or reduce the radiotoxicity of waste streams.
``(4) Research and development on waste treatment processes
and separations technologies, advanced waste forms, and
quantification of proliferation risks.
``(5) Identification and evaluation of test and
experimental facilities necessary to successfully implement
the advanced fuel cycle initiative.
``(6) Advancement of fuel cycle-related modeling and
simulation capabilities.
``(d) Blue Ribbon Commission Report.--
``(1) In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall
give consideration to the final report on a long-term nuclear
waste solution produced by the Blue Ribbon Commission on
America's Nuclear Future.
``(2) Not later than 180 days after the release of the Blue
Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future final report,
the Secretary shall transmit to Congress a report, which
shall include--
``(A) any plans the Department may have to incorporate any
relevant recommendations from this report into the program;
and
``(B) how those recommendations for long-term nuclear waste
solutions that will be incorporated into the plan compare
with plans for a long-term nuclear waste solution of a
repository at Yucca Mountain, that may or may not be
incorporated into the plan, with regard to the safety,
security, legal, cost, and technological and site readiness
factors associated with any recommendations related to final
disposition pathways for spent nuclear fuel and high-level
radioactive waste to the same factors associated with
permanent deep geological disposal at the Yucca Mountain
waste repository.
``(3) The analysis described in paragraph (2)(B) shall be
conducted using scientific and technical materials and
information used to support policy actions related to the
Yucca Mountain project.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The item relating to section 953
in the table of contents of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is
amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 953. Fuel cycle research and development.''.
SEC. 9. NUCLEAR ENERGY ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM.
(a) Amendment.--Subtitle E of title IX of the Energy Policy
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16271 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the following new section:
[[Page H7732]]
``SEC. 958. NUCLEAR ENERGY ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a program to
support the integration of activities undertaken through the
reactor concepts research, development, demonstration, and
commercial application program under section 952(c) and the
fuel cycle research and development program under section
953, and support crosscutting nuclear energy concepts.
Activities commenced under this section shall be concentrated
on broadly applicable research and development focus areas.
``(b) Activities.--Activities conducted under this section
may include research involving--
``(1) advanced reactor materials;
``(2) advanced radiation mitigation methods;
``(3) advanced proliferation and security risk assessment
methods;
``(4) advanced sensors and instrumentation;
``(5) advanced nuclear manufacturing methods; or
``(6) any crosscutting technology or transformative concept
aimed at establishing substantial and revolutionary
enhancements in the performance of future nuclear energy
systems that the Secretary considers relevant and appropriate
to the purpose of this section.
``(c) Report.--The Secretary shall submit, as part of the
annual budget submission of the Department, a report on the
activities of the program conducted under this section, which
shall include a brief evaluation of each activity's
progress.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended by adding at the end of
the items for subtitle E of title IX the following new item:
``Sec. 958. Nuclear energy enabling technologies.''.
SEC. 10. EMERGENCY RISK ASSESSMENT AND PREPAREDNESS REPORT.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the Congress a report
summarizing quantitative risks associated with the potential
of a severe accident arising from the use of civilian nuclear
energy technology, including reactor technology deployed or
likely to be deployed as of the date of enactment of this
Act, and outlining the technologies currently available to
mitigate the consequences of such an accident. The report
shall include recommendations of areas of technological
development that should be pursued to reduce the potential
public harm arising from such an incident.
SEC. 11. NEXT GENERATION NUCLEAR PLANT.
(a) Prototype Plant Location.--Section 642(b)(3) of the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16022(b)(3)) is amended
to read as follows:
``(3) Prototype plant location.--The prototype nuclear
reactor and associated plant shall be constructed at a
location determined by the consortium through an open and
transparent competitive selection process.''.
(b) Report.--
(1) Requirement.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall transmit
to the Congress a report providing a status update of the
Next Generation Nuclear Plant program that provides analysis
of--
(A) its progress;
(B) how Federal funds appropriated for the project have
been distributed and spent; and
(C) the current and expected participation by non-Federal
entities.
(2) Contents.--The report shall include--
(A) an analysis of the proposed facility's technical
capabilities and remaining technological development
challenges, and a cost estimate and construction schedule;
(B) an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of
funding a pilot-scale research reactor project in lieu of a
full-scale commercial power reactor;
(C) an assessment of alternative construction sites
proposed by private industry;
(D) an assessment of the extent to which the Department of
Energy is working with industry and the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission to ensure that the Next Generation Nuclear Plant
program meets industry expectations for long-term application
of technologies and addresses potential licensing procedures
for deployment;
(E) an assessment of the known or anticipated challenges to
securing private non-Federal cost share funds and any
measures to overcome these challenges, including any
alternative funding approaches such as front loading the
Federal share;
(F) an assessment of project risks, including those related
to--
(i) project scope, schedule, and resources;
(ii) the formation of partnerships or agreements between
the Department and the private sector necessary for the
project's success; and
(iii) the Department's capabilities to identify and manage
such risks; and
(G) an assessment of what is known about the potential
impact of natural gas and other fossil fuel prices on private
entity participation in the project.
SEC. 12. TECHNICAL STANDARDS COLLABORATION.
(a) In General.--The Director of the National Institute of
Standards and Technology shall establish a nuclear energy
standards committee (in this section referred to as the
``technical standards committee'') to facilitate and support,
consistent with the National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act of 1995, the development or revision of
technical standards for new and existing nuclear power plants
and advanced nuclear technologies.
(b) Membership.--
(1) In general.--The technical standards committee shall
include representatives from appropriate Federal agencies and
the private sector, and be open to materially affected
organizations involved in the development or application of
nuclear energy-related standards.
(2) Co-chairs.--The technical standards committee shall be
co-chaired by a representative from the National Institute of
Standards and Technology and a representative from a private
sector standards organization.
(c) Duties.--The technical standards committee shall, in
cooperation with appropriate Federal agencies--
(1) perform a needs assessment to identify and evaluate the
technical standards that are needed to support nuclear
energy, including those needed to support new and existing
nuclear power plants and advanced nuclear technologies;
(2) formulate, coordinate, and recommend priorities for the
development of new technical standards and the revision of
existing technical standards to address the needs identified
under paragraph (1);
(3) facilitate and support collaboration and cooperation
among standards developers to address the needs and
priorities identified under paragraphs (1) and (2);
(4) as appropriate, coordinate with other national,
regional, or international efforts on nuclear energy-related
technical standards in order to avoid conflict and
duplication and to ensure global compatibility; and
(5) promote the establishment and maintenance of a database
of nuclear energy-related technical standards.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized
to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011
through 2013 to the Director of the National Institute for
Standards and Technology for activities under this section.
SEC. 13. EVALUATION OF LONG-TERM OPERATING NEEDS.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall enter into
an arrangement with the National Academies to conduct an
evaluation of the scientific and technological challenges to
the long-term maintenance and safe operation of currently
deployed nuclear power reactors up to and beyond the
specified design-life of reactor systems.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall transmit to the
Congress, and make publically available, the results of the
evaluation undertaken by the Academies pursuant to subsection
(a).
SEC. 14. AVAILABLE FACILITIES DATABASE.
The Secretary of Energy shall prepare a database of non-
Federal user facilities receiving Federal funds that may be
used for unclassified nuclear energy research. The
Secretary shall make this database accessible on the
Department of Energy's website.
SEC. 15. NUCLEAR WASTE DISPOSAL.
To the extent consistent with the requirements of current
law, the Department of Energy shall be responsible for
disposal of high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear
fuel generated by reactors under the programs authorized in
this Act, or the amendments made by this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
General Leave
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their
remarks and to include extraneous material on H.R. 5866, the bill now
under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Tennessee?
There was no objection.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
The ongoing national discussion on our path forward towards a
comprehensive energy strategy necessarily raises questions about
climate change, national security, and economic stability. In having
this discussion, most experts have come to agree that any realistic
strategy will require a diverse portfolio of energy sources.
Renewables, clean coal and gas, and nuclear power must all play a role
in moving our Nation towards energy independence while balancing our
Nation's economic interests.
Before us today is H.R. 5866, which amends the Energy Policy Act of
2005 to modernize and improve our Federal nuclear energy R&D programs.
I introduced this legislation after close collaboration with my friend
from Texas, Ralph Hall, Mrs. Biggert, and many others on the committee
on a bipartisan basis who share my belief that we must continue to seek
the answers to the challenges of high capital costs for nuclear power
systems and management and recycling of nuclear waste. Our Nation's 104
commercial reactors today produce 20 percent of our electricity, 70
percent of our emissions-free energy. Clearly, if we are to increase
our energy independence, nuclear must
[[Page H7733]]
continue to be a large part of our Nation's energy mix.
Once the world's leader in nuclear energy technologies, the U.S. is
losing its competitive edge after decades of being dormant. Of the
nearly 60 reactors currently under construction worldwide, most are in
Asia, with China making up the bulk of that using its own CPR-1000
reactor technology. This trend will represent billions of dollars in
foregone opportunities for the U.S.
As I mentioned, this bill is the result of a truly bipartisan effort
over the past 8 months that has won the support of the nuclear
industry, nuclear suppliers, and numerous trade associations. I would
like to take a moment to thank the committee staff who worked on this
bill, specifically Rob Walther and Chris King of the majority side and
Dan Byers on the minority side. And I would like to thank Energy
Subcommittee Ranking Member Mr. Inglis and Subcommittee Chair Dr. Baird
for their effort to bring this bill before us today. I call on my
colleagues to support H.R. 5866.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am pleased to be a cosponsor of H.R. 5866, and I thank Chairman
Gordon and Ranking Member Hall for their leadership on this
legislation.
Due to population and estimated economic growth over the next 25
years, the United States' demand for electricity is expected to rise by
30 percent. To meet rising demand for power for our homes and
businesses, we need to expand our domestic and electricity production
and create affordable, reliable electricity production in an
environmentally responsible way. Nuclear power is the only way to do
this.
My home State of Illinois already leads the way, deriving half of its
electricity from nuclear energy, but we need to do more to expand
nuclear here and across the country. That is why I cosponsored this
legislation which supports the development and deployment of small
modular nuclear reactors and reauthorizes nuclear R&D activities at the
Department of Energy.
{time} 1950
A complement to existing large-scale reactors, small modular reactors
create less time and money to construct and are based on current
reactor designs, thereby reducing the burdensome licensing process.
This is an ideal solution for growing communities and cash-strapped
utilities that need extra generation capacity at a fraction of the
cost.
More importantly, H.R. 5866 extends and modifies R&D activities that
promote advanced research to close the nuclear fuel cycle and recycle
spent nuclear fuel. My district's scientists and engineers at Argonne
National Laboratory lead the Nation in research and development for
nuclear fuel or recycling.
Recycling is not just important for the reduction of waste created
but also for the conservation of worldwide uranium resources. It will
also encourage the deployment of expanded nuclear power for industry
and States that want to provide affordable electricity without
unnecessary liabilities.
In summary, H.R. 5866 is a strong bipartisan bill. It will complement
the current revival of the nuclear industry by extending DOE's research
and development activities to pursue longer term advances in three
ways: reactor designs, fuel cycle R&D, and in crosscutting areas such
as materials and computer modeling and simulation.
I do want to note that there are a few minor changes made to the bill
that was reported by the committee in section 4 and section 15. These
changes should in no way be interpreted to change the intent or purpose
of the language.
This bill is endorsed by a comprehensive group of key stakeholders,
including the Nuclear Energy Institute, the Next Generation Nuclear
Plant Industry Alliance, the American Chemical Society, Toshiba-
Westinghouse, and GE-Hitachi.
I urge Members to support H.R. 5866.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to my friend from California (Mr. Rohrabacher).
Mr. ROHRABACHER. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and I would like
to express my deep appreciation of the ranking member as well as the
chairman now of the full committee. And again, you have heard these
accolades many times, but you will be missed in the next Congress. We
have worked together in a very bipartisan way to accomplish things
through technology for our country and our people and the people of the
world.
I rise today in support of H.R. 5866. Nuclear power has been a
cornerstone of American domestic energy policy for decades, and it
could have had a greater positive impact had we not succumbed to
irrational attacks by environmental radicals who seem to oppose any
type of energy. They ended up costing us hundreds of billions of
dollars for imports that we otherwise would not have needed.
We now, however, have a tremendous opportunity to use the latest
nuclear technology developments to produce safe, clean, cost-effective
energy for our country and for the world. This bill updates America's
nuclear energy research and funds those technologies that show the
greatest possibilities. We are on the cusp of a new era, a new era of
nuclear energy. Small modular reactors will provide safe, cost-
effective electricity without the significant risks evident in the
current, large-scale reactor system.
The next generation of reactors will be using as fuel the waste of
today's reactors. Thus America's waste storage needs will be
drastically cut. Advanced, gas-cooled nuclear systems will meet
industrial needs without relying on a lot of water sources, eliminating
conflict over water use and leftover waste and other environmental
concerns. New high-temperature, gas-cooled reactor systems will leave
behind less waste, and it will be impossible for them to melt down;
this, based on their pebble bed design.
Investments in such innovations now will provide long-term benefits
of energy production, waste disposal, and environmental stewardship;
all of these enhanced by this legislation and the use of these
reactors.
The security implications, of course, of weaning ourselves off of
foreign oil is evident to all Americans. Obviously, a sustainable long-
term, domestically produced clean energy future is in the best
interests of all Americans. Investing in new nuclear technologies can
accomplish this and will put our country back on the path to energy
self-sufficiency.
One admonition, however. Powerful interests would have us waste money
on old technologies like light water reactors or on nuclear fusion,
which has had little demonstrable progress after decades of massive
investment. So it is time for us to start building what is possible for
us to build, especially when it has come so far already and is ready to
go.
It is for these reasons that I strongly endorse the American nuclear
energy industry, and I ask all of my colleagues to join me in support
of H.R. 5866.
Mrs. BIGGERT. In closing, I would like to thank the chairman for all
of the work he has done as chairman of the Science Committee, and this
bill shows what you've been able to accomplish in the research and
development, the basic science, and how this will benefit so much our
country, and we really thank you for all the work that you put into
this.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. I will conclude by saying it's a ``we,'' not
``you.'' Mrs. Biggert and Mr. Rohrabacher have been a strong part and,
again, a bipartisan effort in an effort to bring forth good
legislation. I'm proud of the fact this is the 151st bill and
resolution that we have been able to bring forth here in a bipartisan
way in the last 4 years. I think that's a record. And I thank you for
being a part of that.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 5866, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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