[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 32 (Monday, February 29, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H1023-H1028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NUCLEAR ENERGY INNOVATION CAPABILITIES ACT
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the
[[Page H1024]]
bill (H.R. 4084) to enable civilian research and development of
advanced nuclear energy technologies by private and public institutions
and to expand theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear physics,
chemistry, and materials science, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4084
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 Innovation
Capabilities Act''.
SEC. 2. NUCLEAR ENERGY.
Section 951 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16271) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 951. NUCLEAR ENERGY.
``(a) Mission.--The Secretary shall conduct programs of
civilian nuclear research, development, demonstration, and
commercial application, including activities in this
subtitle. Such programs shall take into consideration the
following objectives:
``(1) Providing research infrastructure to promote
scientific progress and enable users from academia, the
National Laboratories, and the private sector to make
scientific discoveries relevant for nuclear, chemical, and
materials science engineering.
``(2) Maintaining National Laboratory and university
nuclear energy research and development programs, including
their infrastructure.
``(3) Providing the technical means to reduce the
likelihood of nuclear weapons proliferation and increasing
confidence margins for public safety of nuclear energy
systems.
``(4) Reducing the environmental impact of nuclear energy
related activities.
``(5) Supporting technology transfer from the National
Laboratories to the private sector.
``(6) Enabling the private sector to partner with the
National Laboratories to demonstrate novel reactor concepts
for the purpose of resolving technical uncertainty associated
with the aforementioned objectives in this subsection.
``(b) Definitions.--In this subtitle:
``(1) Advanced fission reactor.--The term `advanced fission
reactor' means a nuclear fission reactor with significant
improvements over the most recent generation of nuclear
reactors, which may include inherent safety features, lower
waste yields, greater fuel utilization, superior reliability,
resistance to proliferation, and increased thermal
efficiency.
``(2) Fast neutron.--The term `fast neutron' means a
neutron with kinetic energy above 100 kiloelectron volts.
``(3) National laboratory.--The term `National Laboratory'
has the meaning given that term in paragraph (3) of section
2, except that with respect to subparagraphs (G), (H), and
(N) of such paragraph, for purposes of this subtitle the term
includes only the civilian activities thereof.
``(4) Neutron flux.--The term `neutron flux' means the
intensity of neutron radiation measured as a rate of flow of
neutrons applied over an area.
``(5) Neutron source.--The term `neutron source' means a
research machine that provides neutron irradiation services
for research on materials sciences and nuclear physics as
well as testing of advanced materials, nuclear fuels, and
other related components for reactor systems.
``(c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress
that nuclear energy, through fission or fusion, represents
the highest energy density of any known attainable source and
yields zero air emissions. This energy source is of national
importance to scientific progress, national security,
electricity generation, heat generation for industrial
applications, and space exploration. Considering the inherent
complexity and regulatory burden associated with this area of
science, the Department should focus its civilian nuclear
research and development activities towards programs that
enable the private sector, National Laboratories, and
universities to carry out such experiments as are necessary
to promote scientific progress and enhance practical
knowledge of nuclear engineering.''.
SEC. 3. NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH PROGRAMS.
Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16272) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (c); and
(2) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections
(c) and (d), respectively.
SEC. 4. ADVANCED FUEL CYCLE INITIATIVE.
Section 953(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16273(a)) is amended by striking ``, acting through the
Director of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and
Technology,''.
SEC. 5. UNIVERSITY NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING SUPPORT.
Section 954(d)(4) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42
U.S.C. 16274(d)(4)) is amended by striking ``as part of a
taking into consideration effort that emphasizes'' and
inserting ``that emphasize''.
SEC. 6. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CIVILIAN NUCLEAR INFRASTRUCTURE
AND FACILITIES.
Section 955 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16275) is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (c) and (d); and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c) Versatile Neutron Source.--
``(1) Mission need.--Not later than December 31, 2016, the
Secretary shall determine the mission need for a versatile
reactor-based fast neutron source, which shall operate as a
national user facility. During this process, the Secretary
shall consult with the private sector, universities, National
Laboratories, and relevant Federal agencies to ensure that
this user facility will meet the research needs of the
largest possible majority of prospective users.
``(2) Establishment.--Upon the determination of mission
need made under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall, as
expeditiously as possible, provide to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate a detailed plan for the establishment
of the user facility.
``(3) Facility requirements.--
``(A) Capabilities.--The Secretary shall ensure that this
user facility will provide, at a minimum, the following
capabilities:
``(i) Fast neutron spectrum irradiation capability.
``(ii) Capacity for upgrades to accommodate new or expanded
research needs.
``(B) Considerations.--In carrying out the plan provided
under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall consider the
following:
``(i) Capabilities that support experimental high-
temperature testing.
``(ii) Providing a source of fast neutrons at a neutron
flux, higher than that at which current research facilities
operate, sufficient to enable research for an optimal base of
prospective users.
``(iii) Maximizing irradiation flexibility and irradiation
volume to accommodate as many concurrent users as possible.
``(iv) Capabilities for irradiation with neutrons of a
lower energy spectrum.
``(v) Multiple loops for fuels and materials testing in
different coolants.
``(vi) Additional pre-irradiation and post-irradiation
examination capabilities.
``(vii) Lifetime operating costs and lifecycle costs.
``(4) Reporting progress.--The Department shall, in its
annual budget requests, provide an explanation for any delay
in its progress and otherwise make every effort to complete
construction and approve the start of operations for this
facility by December 31, 2025.
``(5) Coordination.--The Secretary shall leverage the best
practices for management, construction, and operation of
national user facilities from the Office of Science.''.
SEC. 7. SECURITY OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES.
Section 956 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16276) is amended by striking ``, acting through the Director
of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology,''.
SEC. 8. HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTATION AND SUPPORTIVE RESEARCH.
Section 957 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C.
16277) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 957. HIGH-PERFORMANCE COMPUTATION AND SUPPORTIVE
RESEARCH.
``(a) Modeling and Simulation.--The Secretary shall carry
out a program to enhance the Nation's capabilities to develop
new reactor technologies through high-performance computation
modeling and simulation techniques. This program shall
coordinate with relevant Federal agencies through the
National Strategic Computing Initiative created under
Executive Order 13702 (July 29, 2015) while taking into
account the following objectives:
``(1) Utilizing expertise from the private sector,
universities, and National Laboratories to develop
computational software and capabilities that prospective
users may access to accelerate research and development of
advanced fission reactor systems, nuclear fusion systems, and
reactor systems for space exploration.
``(2) Developing computational tools to simulate and
predict nuclear phenomena that may be validated through
physical experimentation.
``(3) Increasing the utility of the Department's research
infrastructure by coordinating with the Advanced Scientific
Computing Research program within the Office of Science.
``(4) Leveraging experience from the Energy Innovation Hub
for Modeling and Simulation.
``(5) Ensuring that new experimental and computational
tools are accessible to relevant research communities.
``(b) Supportive Research Activities.--The Secretary shall
consider support for additional research activities to
maximize the utility of its research facilities, including
physical processes to simulate degradation of materials and
behavior of fuel forms and for validation of computational
tools.''.
SEC. 9. ENABLING NUCLEAR ENERGY INNOVATION.
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 end the
following:
``SEC. 958. ENABLING NUCLEAR ENERGY INNOVATION.
``(a) National Reactor Innovation Center.--The Secretary
shall carry out a program to enable the testing and
demonstration of reactor concepts to be proposed and funded
by the private sector. The Secretary shall leverage the
technical expertise of relevant Federal agencies and National
Laboratories in order to minimize the time required
[[Page H1025]]
to enable construction and operation of privately funded
experimental reactors at National Laboratories or other
Department-owned sites while ensuring reasonable safety for
persons working within these sites. Such reactors shall
operate to meet the following objectives:
``(1) Enabling physical validation of novel reactor
concepts.
``(2) Resolving technical uncertainty and increasing
practical knowledge relevant to safety, resilience, security,
and functionality of first-of-a-kind reactor concepts.
``(3) General research and development to improve nascent
technologies.
``(b) Reporting Requirement.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of the Nuclear Energy Innovation
Capabilities Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the
National Laboratories, relevant Federal agencies, and other
stakeholders, shall transmit to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a
report assessing the Department's capabilities to authorize,
host, and oversee privately funded fusion and advanced
fission experimental reactors as described under subsection
(a). The report shall address the following:
``(1) The Department's safety review and oversight
capabilities, including options to leverage expertise from
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and National Laboratories.
``(2) Potential sites capable of hosting activities
described under subsection (a).
``(3) The efficacy of the Department's available
contractual mechanisms to partner with the private sector and
Federal agencies, including cooperative research and
development agreements, strategic partnership projects, and
agreements for commercializing technology.
``(4) Potential cost structures related to physical
security, decommissioning, liability, and other long-term
project costs.
``(5) Other challenges or considerations identified by the
Secretary.''.
SEC. 10. BUDGET PLAN.
(a) In General.--Subtitle E of title IX of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16271 et seq.) is further
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 959. BUDGET PLAN.
``Not later than 12 months after the date of enactment of
the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, the
Department shall transmit to the Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology of the House of Representatives and the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate 2
alternative 10-year budget plans for civilian nuclear energy
research and development by the Department. The first shall
assume constant annual funding for 10 years at the
appropriated level for the Department's civilian nuclear
energy research and development for fiscal year 2016. The
second shall be an unconstrained budget. The 2 plans shall
include--
``(1) a prioritized list of the Department's programs,
projects, and activities to best support the development of
next generation nuclear energy technology;
``(2) realistic budget requirements for the Department to
implement sections 955(c), 957, and 958 of this Act; and
``(3) the Department's justification for continuing or
terminating existing civilian nuclear energy research and
development programs.''.
(b) Report on Fusion Innovation.--Not later than six months
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the
Department of Energy shall transmit to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate a report that will identify
engineering designs for innovative fusion energy systems that
have the potential to demonstrate net energy production not
later than 15 years after the start of construction. In this
report, the Secretary will identify budgetary requirements
that would be necessary for the Department to carry out a
fusion innovation initiative to accelerate research and
development of these designs.
SEC. 11. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
The table of contents for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is
amended by striking the item relating to section 957 and
inserting the following:
``957. High-performance computation and supportive research.
``958. Enabling nuclear energy innovation.
``959. Budget plan.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Weber) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4084, the Nuclear Energy
Innovation Capabilities Act.
I want to thank Ranking Member Johnson and Chairman Smith for
cosponsoring this important legislation and for their leadership in
advocating for nuclear energy research and development.
I am grateful for the opportunity to work with my fellow Texans to
guide research that will keep America safe, globally competitive, and
support nuclear innovation. I also want to thank my colleagues on the
Science Committee who cosponsored H.R. 4084.
Mr. Speaker, the Science Committee has spent over a year examining
U.S. nuclear energy policy and preparation for this legislation. We
have been holding hearings on supercomputing, advanced nuclear energy
technology, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the DOE Energy
Innovation Hubs.
Witnesses from the national labs, universities, and the private
sector have all testified in support of the various reforms and
policies outlined in this bill.
We took our time developing this legislation. By working together and
listening to all the relevant stakeholders, we have developed broad
bipartisan and bicameral support for this bill.
We have worked with our colleagues in the Senate to develop companion
legislation as well. Last month an amendment with the text of this
legislation passed, Mr. Speaker, with historic overwhelming support in
the Senate.
For the first time in many years, the Nuclear Energy Innovation
Capabilities Act will provide updated statutory direction to the
Department of Energy's nuclear research activities to ensure that
fundamental research is prioritized and precious resources are not
wasted.
This bill requires DOE to leverage its supercomputing infrastructure
and use modeling and simulation capabilities to develop advanced
fission and fusion reactors.
The bill lays out a clear timeline and parameters for DOE to complete
a research reactor. A research reactor is a crucial part of ensuring
materials and nuclear fuels R&D can take place in the United States.
This type of research requires access to fast neutrons, which,
unfortunately, are currently only available for civilian research in
Russia, Mr. Speaker.
While modeling and simulation can accelerate R&D, nuclear energy must
be validated through a physical source. The versatile neutron source
under section 6 of H.R. 4084 will provide the United States with that
vital capability.
{time} 1745
This legislation also directs DOE to partner with the private sector
to construct and operate reactor prototypes at DOE National Labs.
Nuclear reactors are expensive and highly regulated. Designing a
first-of-a-kind reactor requires a blend of creative freedom for
engineers to test new designs while ensuring safety throughout the
entire process.
DOE sites, particularly the DOE National Labs, can provide a unique
environment that safely allows for this kind of creative testing and
development for advanced nuclear technology, without a burdensome
regulatory process which slows progress to a crawl.
DOE has fundamental authority to enter into these innovative research
partnerships, but won't have the confidence to act without direction
from Congress, which is provided in this legislation, Mr. Speaker.
America must maintain our nuclear capabilities and continue to
develop cutting-edge technology right here at home. Without the
direction provided in this bill, we will continue to fall further and
further behind, lose the ability to develop innovative nuclear
technology, and be left importing reactor designs from overseas.
Today, we have the best nuclear engineers and manufacturing capacity
in the world right here at home. We can't put that expertise at risk,
Mr. Speaker.
Even more importantly, this bill will maintain America's capability
to influence security and proliferation standards around the world, as
more developing nations look to nuclear energy to grow their economies.
As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I am constantly
reminded of the need for American leadership in a dangerous world. H.R.
4084 reaffirms the United States' commitment to safely advancing
nuclear technology.
I encourage my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
[[Page H1026]]
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4084, the Nuclear
Energy Innovation Capabilities Act.
Currently in the United States, nuclear power produces about 20
percent of our Nation's electrical supply, and that makes nuclear power
the single largest carbon-free power source in the country.
However, our current nuclear fleet is growing older. Many of the
plants across our country are many decades old and rely upon nuclear
technology that is even older.
There have been substantial efforts in the past decade to move
towards constructing new nuclear generating units with more modern
designs. However, these efforts have had mixed results.
There have been construction difficulties, regulatory hurdles, and
financing issues, all of which have conspired to delay the construction
of new nuclear plants in America.
Some of these hurdles, though, are unlikely to go away with our
current technologies. The Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima
nuclear accidents have repeatedly highlighted the necessity of ensuring
our nuclear fleet runs as safely as possible. This has led to much of
the cost and difficulty of building the new plants.
I think the answer to these problems can be found in innovative new
nuclear technologies. The Department of Energy and many different
companies in the private sector are working on new forms of nuclear
energy generation that hold the promise of much more effective and much
safer nuclear generation stations.
Some of these technologies also address the extremely important issue
of the radioactive waste streams that plague our current generation of
nuclear plants.
H.R. 4084 takes several positive steps to help spur this innovation
and deliver these very promising nuclear technologies to market.
I also want to highlight one additional reason to support H.R. 4084.
As the world makes commitments to move toward a lower carbon future, as
evidenced by the Paris climate agreement, it presents an opportunity to
American Industry to supply low-carbon power platforms like nuclear
power.
This bill will keep our country on the forefront of nuclear power
technology, and it is my hope it will empower American Industry to be
the suppliers of the next generation of nuclear plants throughout the
entire world.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Congressman Weber for sponsoring
this legislation, and thank Science, Space, and Technology Committee
Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson for bringing
this bill to the floor in such a bipartisan manner.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve balance of my time.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. I appreciate the gentleman's kind remarks.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr.
Loudermilk).
Mr. LOUDERMILK. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Texas, Mr.
Weber, for his leadership on this important issue and for allowing me a
few moments to speak on it.
H.R. 4084 is a critical piece of legislation that will improve our
Nation's nuclear energy research and foster the development of our next
generation of nuclear reactors.
Throughout our history, the United States has led the world in
developing new nuclear technologies, and this bill provides the tools
to help us to continue this leadership into the future.
One of the many important provisions of this bill is that it directs
the Department of Energy, through its National Laboratories, to develop
new nuclear reactor concepts by partnering with the private sector.
With a national population of 320 million, and growing, we must be
aggressive in our pursuit of new nuclear breakthroughs in order to
power our Nation's future.
As a Member of Congress from Georgia, I understand the challenges of
providing power to a rapidly growing population. Georgia's population
is expected to increase by almost 2 million over the next 10 years, and
without clean, affordable, reliable nuclear power, the task of bringing
electricity to these new residents would be daunting.
The United States has not added any nuclear power generation for over
30 years. However, today, new power units are being built at Plant
Vogtle in Georgia. These nuclear power generators will add the capacity
to power 1 million homes and businesses once they are completed.
After visiting Plant Vogtle last year, I am confident that these new
generators will reassure the country that nuclear power is safe,
secure, and reliable, and will encourage the pursuit of future nuclear
technology breakthroughs.
This bill is vital to the future of our Nation because it enables the
private sector to utilize the research tools and resources at the DOE
National Labs so scientists and engineers in the private sector can
assist in the development of new nuclear technologies. Nuclear power
generation that is clean, sustainable, and safe, is what will power
America's homes and businesses for years to come.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman
from California (Mr. Knight).
Mr. KNIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Weber and Mr. Beyer for their
congenial work on this issue.
I do rise today in support of H.R. 4084, the Nuclear Energy
Innovation Capabilities Act, as I am a cosponsor. Some of us believe a
nuclear energy policy is important to the State of California, which is
home to private companies and universities pursuing advanced nuclear
technologies.
I am proud to support this legislation because it would provide
capabilities for our technology innovators to develop new reactors that
will yield amazing benefits to society through increased resistance to
proliferation, minimizing waste, and perhaps even consuming existing
waste stockpiles.
The possibilities are endless when we allow our engineers to
creatively tackle the world's challenges, and this is no different for
nuclear energy.
This is important because in my district we have recently seen the
issues that can arise when an area is dependent on a single energy
source.
California is home to many of the companies seeking to partner with
the DOE and benefit from our Nation's unparalleled supercomputer
capabilities. Leveraging the Department's assets will help our domestic
industry capture a significant share of a growing, multibillion-dollar
industry.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of support from Tri
Alpha, a California-based fusion company, and UPower, a California-
based advanced fission reactor company.
Tri Alpha Energy,
February 24, 2016.
Hon. Lamar Smith,
Chairman, House Science, Space & Technology Committee,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson,
Ranking Member, House Science, Space & Technology Committee,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Randy Weber,
Chairman, Energy Subcommittee, House Science, Space &
Technology Committee, Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Johnson, and
Representative Weber: Tri Alpha Energy is a fusion energy
science research company headquartered in Foothill Ranch,
California. Our purpose is to deliver world-changing clean
fusion energy for economical, commercial power generation as
fast as possible. Tri Alpha started as a research project at
the University of California-Irvine in 1990. Today we have
150 employees, over 350 patents issued or pending, and are
conducting experiments on a state of the art plasma
generation device.
We are writing to express support for your bill H.R. 4084,
the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act. Global market
and environmental conditions demand that new sources of
clean, baseload electricity be developed. New nuclear designs
hold tremendous promise as a sustainable and cost-competitive
power solution, but the United States government must provide
a favorable policy environment for the necessary technology
developments to take place.
H.R. 4084 would make several improvements at the Department
of Energy to help move advanced nuclear technology concepts,
including fusion, out of the laboratory and toward
commercialization. The Nuclear Innovation Center, for
example, would enable shorter development and permitting
timelines by allowing private companies to work hand-in-hand
with federal researchers and regulators on design validation.
We commend you and your staff for recognizing the enormous
positive potential that advanced nuclear, including fusion,
holds in
[[Page H1027]]
the United States and for offering thoughtful, bipartisan
legislation to move the industry forward. We hope that H.R.
4084 will be offered for floor consideration soon and offer
our support to help move the bill to final passage. We also
look forward to working with your Committee on other fusion
energy issues in the future. Please contact me with any
questions.
Sincerely,
Richard C. Barth, Ph.D.,
Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Tri Alpha
Energy.
____
January 22, 2016.
Hon. Lamar Smith, Chairman,
Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Ranking Member,
Hon. Randy Weber, Chairman,
Subcommittee on Energy and the House Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology.
Dear Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Johnson, Chairman
Weber, and Senator Whitehouse, Senator Booker, and Senator
Risch: On behalf of UPower Technologies, I am writing to
commend your bipartisan leadership and foresight regarding
the creation and passage of H.R. 4084 and the Senate
companion which compose the Nuclear Energy Innovation
Capabilities Act (the Act).
UPower Technologies, Inc., soon to become Oklo, Inc., is a
funded advanced reactor startup based in Silicon Valley. We
believe that what is good for all advanced nuclear is what's
best for the individual companies as well, and in turn what
is best for the industry is best for the nation. Each entity
in the advanced nuclear industry requires a high-functioning
network of a diversity of companies, manufacturers, labs,
suppliers, regulators, investors, and other expertise in
order to thrive. And the United States will require this
home-grown industry to be an international leader in clean
energy, to provide high-paying, long-term jobs, and to
provide clean power in a safe and reliable manner. Your
commendable work on the Nuclear Innovation Capabilities Act
will support these important U.S. goals.
The Act is a start to look critically at potential ways
that the U.S. government can be more efficient both in
utilizing its vast, existing investments in infrastructure
and expertise, and in removing unreasonable blocks to
American innovation.
The Act begins to lay out an important framework and focus
for the Department of Energy (DOE) regarding advanced
nuclear, especially regarding its relationship to industry.
While the DOE has many resources in place, such as a wealth
of valuable advanced codes and computational resources, a
congressional mandate to focus on making these resources more
accessible, cost effective, and utilized could make both the
DOE complex and the advanced reactor industry more vibrant.
The Act also requires the DOE to consider locations for
nuclear fueled advanced reactor testing. It will be critical
as this process proceeds to ensure that locations for
implementations are not limited among the various potential
DOE sites and that fees and contracting are in line with
reasonable costs and not compensating for irrelevant or
excessive overhead.
The Act institutes a focus on having a fast reactor
resource within the DOE complex. It will be a valuable asset
to both the DOE and the industry.
The laudable goal of the Act is to streamline U.S.
technology development to commercialization. As such, it will
be critically important that the DOE work as seamlessly as
possible with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) as far
as providing data and allowing for the licensing activities
required for commercialization, so that there need not be a
duplication of nuclear-fueled implementations--possibly an
exorbitant cost for any startup to survive.
The Act also asks the NRC for a report on timeline
expectations for advanced reactor licensing. From the
perspective of current or future advanced nuclear startup
companies, an official report on timelines creates better
certainty for private investment. This is potentially a very
valuable provision to encourage private investment to further
this relatively new U.S. industry. We also encourage
continued dialog between the NRC, industry, and other
stakeholders regarding how the regulatory process can benefit
from significant advances in safety, further reducing
uncertainty and accelerating deployment of safe, clean
energy.
In summary, we support H.R. 4084 and the accompanying
Senate bill. We appreciate the focus it brings to key areas
to utilize U.S. investments and infrastructure to enhance
U.S. innovation in clean energy. We also look forward to
future legislation which may add appropriation and
clarification of public-private contracting to further enable
American innovation. UPower Technologies stands ready to
support these important advances in U.S. energy leadership.
Sincerely,
Jacob DeWitte,
CEO and founder, UPower Technologies, Inc. (changing to
Oklo, Inc.), Sunnyvale, CA.
Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, having no further requests for time, I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, how much time do I have left?
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas has 12 minutes
remaining.
General Leave
Mr. WEBER of Texas. 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. 4084, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
H.R. 4084 is vital to ensuring America's leadership in nuclear
innovation. By harnessing the expertise of our Nation's National Labs,
some of which we heard about today, its universities and entrepreneurs,
the private sector can take the lead in developing groundbreaking
advanced nuclear technology.
I especially want to thank my colleagues on the Science, Space, and
Technology Committee; of course, Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson;
those who have also cosponsored the bill, including Dan Lipinski, Barry
Loudermilk, Ed Perlmutter, Barbara Comstock, Paul Tonko, Jim
Bridenstine, Brian Babin, Dana Rohrabacher, Randy Hultgren, Bruce
Westerman, Steve Knight, Bill Posey, Frank Lucas, Randy Neugebauer, and
the gentleman from Virginia for his kind remarks. I also want to thank
the dozens and dozens of researchers and stakeholders who came in and
provided feedback as we developed this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter exchange between the
Energy and Commerce Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology
Committee on H.R. 4084.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Energy and Commerce,
Washington, DC, February 29, 2016.
Hon. Lamar Smith,
Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Smith: I write in regard to H.R. 4084, the
``Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act.'' As you are
aware, the bill was referred to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology, but the Committee on Energy and
Commerce has a jurisdictional interest in the bill. I wanted
to notify you that the Committee on Energy and Commerce will
forgo action on H.R. 4084 so that it may proceed
expeditiously to the House floor for consideration.
This is done with the understanding that the Committee on
Energy and Commerce's jurisdictional interests over this and
similar legislation are in no way diminished or altered. In
addition, the Committee reserves the right to seek conferees
on H.R. 4084 and requests your support when such a request is
made.
I would appreciate your response confirming this
understanding with respect to H.R. 4084 and ask that a copy
of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in the
Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the
House floor.
Sincerely,
Fred Upton,
Chairman.
____
House of Representatives, Committee on Science, Space,
and Technology,
Washington, DC, February 29, 2016.
Hon. Fred Upton,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter regarding H.R.
4084, the ``Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act.''
Your support for this legislation and your assistance in
ensuring its timely consideration are greatly appreciated.
I agree that a provision in the bill is within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. I
acknowledge that by waiving rights to further consideration
of H.R. 4084, your Committee is not relinquishing its
jurisdiction. A copy of our letters will be placed in the
Congressional Record during consideration of the bill on the
House floor.
I value your cooperation and look forward to working with
you as we move ahead with this legislation.
Sincerely,
Lamar Smith,
Chairman.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of this commonsense,
bipartisan legislation. I appreciate my colleagues' help.
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4084, the ``Nuclear Energy
Innovation Capabilities Act,'' directs civilian nuclear energy research
and development to contribute to American nuclear power.
[[Page H1028]]
I thank the Energy Subcommittee Chairman, Randy Weber, and Science
Committee Ranking Member, Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, for their
leadership on this issue.
I also want to thank many bipartisan cosponsors of the bill, which
include Science Committee Vice Chairman Frank Lucas, Research and
Technology Subcommittee Chairwoman Barbara Comstock and Subcommittee
Ranking Member Dan Lipinski, Environment Subcommittee Chairman Jim
Bridenstine, Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Barry Loudermilk, Space
Subcommittee Chairman Brian Babin, and full committee members Dana
Rohrabacher, Ed Perlmutter, Randy Hultgren, Paul Tonko, Bruce
Westerman, Steve Knight, Bill Posey, and Randy Neugebauer.
I am encouraged by the strong bipartisan support for the subsequently
introduced Senate version of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities
Act, which passed as an amendment to the Energy Policy Modernization
Act by a vote of 87-4 on the Senate floor in January.
Advanced nuclear energy technology is the best opportunity to make
reliable, emission-free electricity available throughout the modern and
developing world.
America must maintain a strong nuclear technology sector in order to
influence global nonproliferation standards. This will help us prevent
civilian nuclear energy technology from being misused for weapons
development overseas.
H.R. 4084 harnesses the strengths of the Department of Energy (DOE)
National Labs, universities, and the private sector. It ensures that
America's best and brightest minds advance this groundbreaking science
and technology.
This legislation provides DOE with the direction and certainty it
needs to develop plans for long term research and infrastructure
development within the Office of Nuclear Energy.
H.R. 4084 authorizes DOE to take advantage of the National Labs'
supercomputers in order to accelerate research for advanced fission and
fusion experimental reactors. This program will leverage expertise from
the private sector, universities, and National Labs.
The bill provides a clear timeline for DOE to complete a research
reactor user facility within ten years. This research reactor will
enable proprietary and academic research to develop supercomputing
models and also design next generation nuclear energy technology.
Finally, H.R. 4084 creates a reliable mechanism for the private
sector to partner with DOE labs to build fission and fusion prototype
reactors at DOE sites.
Nuclear power has been a proven source of safe and emission-free
electricity for over half a century. Now, America's strategic
investments in advanced nuclear reactor technology can play a more
meaningful role to reduce global emissions. Unfortunately, the ability
to move innovative technology to the market has been stalled by
government red tape.
By working around these bureaucratic barriers, H.R. 4084 will spur
American competitiveness and keep us on the forefront of nuclear energy
technology.
This legislation enables our talented engineers in the private
sector, academia, and at the National Labs to develop the next
generation of nuclear technology here in the United States.
Nuclear energy can be a clean, cheap answer to an energy independent,
pro-growth, secure future.
I thank Chairman Weber and Ranking Member Johnson of Texas for their
work on this bill and encourage my colleagues to support it.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to
support H.R. 4084, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act,
which I am very pleased to co-sponsor.
Today, nuclear power plays a vital role in providing our country with
clean, reliable energy. Nuclear power is currently the single largest
carbon-free component of our electrical supply. One of my top
priorities as a Member of Congress is preventing and mitigating the
potentially devastating impacts of climate change. I believe that
nuclear power can and should play a key role in our efforts to reduce
the carbon footprint of our electricity sector.
But there currently are technical, economic, and policy challenges
that prevent nuclear energy from playing a larger role in enabling our
clean energy future. The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act
takes several positive steps to address these challenges. Implementing
the provisions in this bill will help accelerate the development of
advanced nuclear energy technologies that are safer, less expensive,
more efficient, and produce less waste than the current generation of
nuclear reactors.
While the results of this research will clearly benefit the American
consumers, it is my hope that it will also help spur American industry.
As the world collectively moves towards greenhouse gas reductions, we
need to make sure that American industry is ready to supply the
technologies to fuel the world's low carbon future. This bill will help
ensure that American industry will lead the world in supplying next
generation nuclear power.
I would like to express my appreciation for the process we followed
to put this bill together. Majority and Minority staff worked closely
together, from engaging stakeholders through crafting and incorporating
suggested changes to bill language. This is a great example of what we
can achieve when we leave politics at the door and look for common
ground to address the challenges facing our nation's research
enterprise. Specifically, I'd like to thank my Texas colleague Mr.
Weber for sponsoring this legislation, and my other Texas colleague
Chairman Smith for working with the Minority to advance this bill.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Weber) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 4084, 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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