[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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