[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H8235-H8239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NUCLEAR ENERGY INNOVATION CAPABILITIES ACT OF 2017
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (S. 97) to enable civilian research and development of
advanced nuclear energy technologies by private and public
institutions, to expand theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear
physics, chemistry, and materials science, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 97
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 of 2017''.
SEC. 2. NUCLEAR ENERGY INNOVATION CAPABILITIES.
(a) Nuclear Energy.--Section 951 of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16271) is amended to read as follows:
[[Page H8236]]
``SEC. 951. NUCLEAR ENERGY.
``(a) Mission.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out programs
of civilian nuclear research, development, demonstration, and
commercial application, including activities under this
subtitle.
``(2) Considerations.--The programs carried out under
paragraph (1) shall take into consideration the following
objectives:
``(A) 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.
``(B) Maintaining nuclear energy research and development
programs at the National Laboratories and institutions of
higher education, including infrastructure at the National
Laboratories and institutions of higher education.
``(C) Providing the technical means to reduce the
likelihood of nuclear proliferation.
``(D) Increasing confidence margins for public safety of
nuclear energy systems.
``(E) Reducing the environmental impact of activities
relating to nuclear energy.
``(F) Supporting technology transfer from the National
Laboratories to the private sector.
``(G) 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 objectives described in subparagraphs (A) through
(F).
``(b) Definitions.--In this subtitle:
``(1) Advanced nuclear reactor.--The term `advanced nuclear
reactor' means--
``(A) a nuclear fission reactor with significant
improvements over the most recent generation of nuclear
fission reactors, which may include--
``(i) inherent safety features;
``(ii) lower waste yields;
``(iii) greater fuel utilization;
``(iv) superior reliability;
``(v) resistance to proliferation;
``(vi) increased thermal efficiency; and
``(vii) the ability to integrate into electric and
nonelectric applications; or
``(B) a nuclear fusion reactor.
``(2) Commission.--The term `Commission' means the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.
``(3) Fast neutron.--The term `fast neutron' means a
neutron with kinetic energy above 100 kiloelectron volts.
``(4) National laboratory.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
the term `National Laboratory' has the meaning given the term
in section 2.
``(B) Limitation.--With respect to the Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and
the Sandia National Laboratories, the term `National
Laboratory' means only the civilian activities of the
laboratory.
``(5) Neutron flux.--The term `neutron flux' means the
intensity of neutron radiation measured as a rate of flow of
neutrons applied over an area.
``(6) Neutron source.--The term `neutron source' means a
research machine that provides neutron irradiation services
for--
``(A) research on materials sciences and nuclear physics;
and
``(B) testing of advanced materials, nuclear fuels, and
other related components for reactor systems.''.
(b) Nuclear Energy Research Programs.--
(1) In general.--Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16272) is amended--
(A) by striking subsection (c); and
(B) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections
(c) and (d), respectively.
(2) Conforming amendment.--Section 641(b)(1) of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16021(b)(1)) is amended by
striking ``section 942(d)'' and inserting ``section 952(c)''.
(c) 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,''.
(d) 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''.
(e) 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.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than December 31, 2017, the
Secretary shall determine the mission need for a versatile
reactor-based fast neutron source, which shall operate as a
national user facility.
``(B) Consultations required.--In carrying out subparagraph
(A), the Secretary shall consult with the private sector,
institutions of higher education, the National Laboratories,
and relevant Federal agencies to ensure that the user
facility described in subparagraph (A) will meet the research
needs of the largest practicable majority of prospective
users.
``(2) Establishment.--As soon as practicable after
determining the mission need under paragraph (1)(A), the
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a detailed plan for the establishment of the user
facility.
``(3) Facility requirements.--
``(A) Capabilities.--The Secretary shall ensure that the
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 submitted
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) Deadline for establishment.--The Secretary shall, to
the maximum extent practicable, complete construction of, and
approve the start of operations for, the user facility by not
later than December 31, 2025.
``(5) Reporting.--The Secretary shall include in the annual
budget request of the Department an explanation for any delay
in the progress of the Department in completing the user
facility by the deadline described in paragraph (4).
``(6) Coordination.--The Secretary shall leverage the best
practices for management, construction, and operation of
national user facilities from the Office of Science.''.
(f) 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,''.
(g) 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 capabilities of the United
States to develop new reactor technologies through high-
performance computation modeling and simulation techniques.
``(b) Coordination.--In carrying out the program under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall coordinate with relevant
Federal agencies as described by the National Strategic
Computing Initiative established by Executive Order 13702 (80
Fed. Reg. 46177 (July 29, 2015)), while taking into account
the following objectives:
``(1) Using expertise from the private sector, institutions
of higher education, and the National Laboratories to develop
computational software and capabilities that prospective
users may access to accelerate research and development of
advanced nuclear reactor 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 research infrastructure
of the Department 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,
including private sector entities engaged in nuclear energy
technology development.
``(c) Supportive Research Activities.--The Secretary shall
consider support for additional research activities to
maximize the utility of the research facilities of the
Department, including physical processes--
``(1) to simulate degradation of materials and behavior of
fuel forms; and
``(2) for validation of computational tools.''.
(h) 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.--There is
authorized a program to enable the testing and demonstration
of reactor concepts to be proposed and funded, in whole or in
part, by the private sector.
``(b) Technical Expertise.--In carrying out the program
under subsection (a), the Secretary shall leverage the
technical expertise of relevant Federal agencies and the
National Laboratories in order to minimize the time required
to enable construction and operation of privately funded
experimental reactors at National Laboratories or other
Department-owned sites.
``(c) Objectives.--The reactors described in subsection (b)
shall operate to meet the following objectives:
``(1) Enabling physical validation of advanced nuclear
reactor concepts.
``(2) Resolving technical uncertainty and increasing
practical knowledge relevant to
[[Page H8237]]
safety, resilience, security, and functionality of advanced
nuclear reactor concepts.
``(3) General research and development to improve nascent
technologies.
``(d) Sharing Technical Expertise.--In carrying out the
program under subsection (a), the Secretary may enter into a
memorandum of understanding with the Chairman of the
Commission in order to share technical expertise and
knowledge through--
``(1) enabling the testing and demonstration of advanced
nuclear reactor concepts to be proposed and funded, in whole
or in part, by the private sector;
``(2) operating a database to store and share data and
knowledge relevant to nuclear science and engineering between
Federal agencies and the private sector;
``(3) developing and testing electric and nonelectric
integration and energy conversion systems relevant to
advanced nuclear reactors;
``(4) leveraging expertise from the Commission with respect
to safety analysis; and
``(5) enabling technical staff of the Commission to
actively observe and learn about technologies developed under
the program.
``(e) Agency Coordination.--The Chairman of the Commission
and the Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of
understanding regarding the following:
``(1) Ensuring that--
``(A) the Department has sufficient technical expertise to
support the timely research, development, demonstration, and
commercial application by the civilian nuclear industry of
safe and innovative advanced nuclear reactor technology; and
``(B) the Commission has sufficient technical expertise to
support the evaluation of applications for licenses, permits,
and design certifications and other requests for regulatory
approval for advanced nuclear reactors.
``(2) The use of computers and software codes to calculate
the behavior and performance of advanced nuclear reactors
based on mathematical models of the physical behavior of
advanced nuclear reactors.
``(3) Ensuring that--
``(A) the Department maintains and develops the facilities
necessary to enable the timely research, development,
demonstration, and commercial application by the civilian
nuclear industry of safe and innovative reactor technology;
and
``(B) the Commission has access to the facilities described
in subparagraph (A), as needed.
``(f) Reporting Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date
of enactment of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities
Act of 2017, the Secretary, in consultation with the National
Laboratories, relevant Federal agencies, and other
stakeholders, shall submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress a report assessing the capabilities of the
Department to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded
experimental advanced nuclear reactors as described in
subsection (b).
``(2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall address--
``(A) the safety review and oversight capabilities of the
Department, including options to leverage expertise from the
Commission and the National Laboratories;
``(B) options to regulate privately proposed and funded
experimental reactors hosted by the Department;
``(C) potential sites capable of hosting privately funded
experimental advanced nuclear reactors;
``(D) the efficacy of the available contractual mechanisms
of the Department to partner with the private sector and
Federal agencies, including cooperative research and
development agreements, strategic partnership projects, and
agreements for commercializing technology;
``(E) the liability of the Federal Government with respect
to the disposal of low-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear
fuel, or high-level radioactive waste (as those terms are
defined in section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982
(42 U.S.C. 10101));
``(F) the impact on the aggregate inventory in the United
States of low-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, or
high-level radioactive waste (as those terms are defined in
section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 U.S.C.
10101));
``(G) potential cost structures relating to physical
security, decommissioning, liability, and other long-term
project costs; and
``(H) other challenges or considerations identified by the
Secretary.
``(3) Updates.--Once every 2 years, the Secretary shall
update relevant provisions of the report submitted under
paragraph (1) and submit to the appropriate committees of
Congress the update.
``(g) Savings Clauses.--
``(1) Licensing requirement.--Nothing in this section
authorizes the Secretary or any person to construct or
operate a nuclear reactor for the purpose of demonstrating
the suitability for commercial application of the nuclear
reactor unless licensed by the Commission in accordance with
section 202 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (42
U.S.C. 5842).
``(2) Financial protection.--Any activity carried out under
this section that involves the risk of public liability shall
be subject to the financial protection or indemnification
requirements of section 170 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954
(42 U.S.C. 2210) (commonly known as the `Price-Anderson
Act').''.
(i) Budget Plan.--Subtitle E of title IX of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16271 et seq.) (as amended by
subsection (h)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 959. BUDGET PLAN.
``(a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act
of 2017, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee
on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives 2 alternative 10-year budget plans for
civilian nuclear energy research and development by the
Secretary, as described in subsections (b) through (d).
``(b) Budget Plan Alternative 1.--One of the budget plans
submitted under subsection (a) shall assume constant annual
funding for 10 years at the appropriated level for the
civilian nuclear energy research and development of the
Department for fiscal year 2016.
``(c) Budget Plan Alternative 2.--One of the budget plans
submitted under subsection (a) shall be an unconstrained
budget.
``(d) Inclusions.--Each alternative budget plan submitted
under subsection (a) shall include--
``(1) a prioritized list of the programs, projects, and
activities of the Department to best support the development
of advanced nuclear reactor technologies;
``(2) realistic budget requirements for the Department to
implement sections 955(c), 957, and 958; and
``(3) the justification of the Department for continuing or
terminating existing civilian nuclear energy research and
development programs.''.
(j) Report on Fusion Innovation.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall submit
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of
the House of Representatives a report identifying 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.
(2) Inclusions.--The report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall identify budgetary requirements that would be necessary
for the Department of Energy to carry out a fusion innovation
initiative to accelerate research and development of the
engineering designs identified in the report.
(k) 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.''.
SEC. 3. ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY LICENSING COST-SHARE GRANT
PROGRAM.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.
(2) Program.--The term ``program'' means the Advanced
Nuclear Energy Cost-Share Grant Program established under
subsection (b).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Energy.
(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a grant
program, to be known as the ``Advanced Nuclear Energy Cost-
Share Grant Program'', under which the Secretary shall make
cost-share grants to applicants for the purpose of funding a
portion of the Commission fees of the applicant for pre-
application review activities and application review
activities.
(c) Requirement.--The Secretary shall seek out technology
diversity in making grants under the program.
(d) Cost-Share Amount.--The Secretary shall determine the
cost-share amount for each grant under the program in
accordance with section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005
(42 U.S.C. 16352).
(e) Use of Funds.--A recipient of a grant under the program
may use the grant funds to cover Commission fees, including
those fees associated with--
(1) developing a licensing project plan;
(2) obtaining a statement of licensing feasibility;
(3) reviewing topical reports; and
(4) other--
(A) pre-application review activities;
(B) application review activities; and
(C) interactions with the Commission.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Weber) and the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice
Johnson) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on S. 97, 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.
I rise today, Mr. Speaker, in support of S. 97, the Nuclear Energy
Innovation Capabilities Act. I want to thank Senator Crapo, Senator
Whitehouse, Senator Murkowski, and Senator Booker,
[[Page H8238]]
as well as Ranking Member Johnson and Chairman Smith for cosponsoring
this important legislation, and for their years of leadership in
advocating for nuclear energy research and development.
Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside my
Senate counterparts to prioritize fundamental research that will
support nuclear innovation and keep America safe, independent, and most
importantly, globally competitive.
I also want to thank my colleagues on the Science, Space, and
Technology Committee who have worked alongside of me with advancing
this legislation.
The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, which I introduced in
the 114th Congress and the 115th Congress, provides 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.
Mr. Speaker, this bill lays out a clear set of parameters and a
definite timeline for DOE to complete an advanced research reactor
facility, which is a crucial part of ensuring innovative materials and
nuclear fuels R&D can take place right here in the United States
instead of overseas.
While modeling and simulation can accelerate R&D, nuclear energy
research must be validated through direct experimentation in the lab.
This type of research requires access to a source of fast neutrons, and
today, these are only available for civilian research in Russia.
The versatile neutron source authorized in this bill will provide the
United States with this vital capability. S. 97 also directs DOE to
partner with industry to construct and operate reactor prototypes at
DOE national labs.
Mr. Speaker, our national labs provide a very unique environment that
safely allows for creative testing and development for advanced nuclear
technology without a burdensome regulatory process that can slow
progress to a crawl. In order to maintain our nuclear capabilities, the
United States must continue developing cutting-edge technology right
here at home.
Without the direction provided in this bill, Mr. Speaker, we will
continue to rely on foreign research. We will fall further and further
behind. We will lose the ability to develop innovative nuclear
technology and be left importing next-generation reactor designs from
overseas. This is unacceptable.
S. 97 will maintain America's ability to influence security and
proliferation standards around the world as more developing nations
look to nuclear energy to grow their economies.
The language in this bill is the product of many Science, Space, and
Technology Committee engagements with relevant stakeholders and nuclear
research and development.
Mr. Speaker, last Congress this language passed the House three times
as a standalone bill, with the House amendment to S. 2012 and in the
NDAA, each with overwhelming bipartisan support.
This language also has a history of strong support in the Senate. It
passed as an amendment in the Senate during the 114th Congress and
again as a standalone bill this Congress.
S. 97 is vital to ensure that this important research and development
is carried out. We cannot afford to miss the economic opportunity
provided by next-generation nuclear technology.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting S.
97, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support S. 97, the Nuclear Energy
Innovation Capabilities Act.
It is the Senate companion to H.R. 431, which I am very pleased to
cosponsor. Today, nuclear power plays a vital role in providing our
country with clean, reliable energy. I happen to be one of those who
live in an area where we have nuclear energy.
Looking toward the future, one of my top priorities is preventing and
mitigating the potentially devastating impacts of climate change. I
believe that this clean energy resource 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 of 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.
I hope it will also help ensure a brighter future for the U.S.
nuclear energy industry. I would like to express my appreciation for
the process we followed to put this bill together. Majority and
minority staff in both the House and Senate worked closely together,
from engaging stakeholders, through crafting and incorporating
suggested changes to the 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 challenges facing our
Nation's research enterprise.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the great
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas
(Mr. Weber) for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, S. 97, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act,
directs the Department of Energy to enable the American nuclear power
industry to conduct civilian nuclear energy research and development
that will advance our leadership in nuclear technology.
While we are considering the Senate version of this bill today, I
would like to credit the author of the original legislation, Energy
Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber, his primary cosponsors, and Science,
Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson
for their years of leadership on this issue.
The originating Science, Space, and Technology Committee legislation
was developed over 4 years of collaboration, including hearings,
coordination with DOE and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and
countless meetings with stakeholders. Every effort has been made to
ensure this legislation will provide the resources necessary to more
effectively and efficiently develop the next generation of nuclear
power.
Advanced nuclear energy technology is the best way to make reliable,
safe, and emission-free electricity available throughout the modern and
developing world. The legislation authorizes the research facilities
and infrastructure necessary to help development of new, advanced
nuclear reactors here at home, maintaining American leadership in the
global nuclear technology sector.
This technological edge allows us to better influence global
nonproliferation standards and prevent civilian nuclear energy
technology from being misused for weapons development overseas. S. 97
directs DOE to develop plans for long-term research and authorizes
critical infrastructure at the DOE national labs. This includes
leveraging DOE state-of-the-art super computers to accelerate the
theoretical development of advanced reactors.
The bill also authorizes construction of a research reactor at a DOE
site. This research reactor will provide access to the fast neutrons
necessary to develop advanced nuclear reactors. By investing in
research infrastructure, DOE can maximize the impact of Federal
research dollars and facilitate the development of a wide variety of
nuclear technologies.
Finally, S. 97 creates a reliable mechanism for the private sector to
partner with DOE labs to build DOE-certified prototype reactors at DOE
sites. While the Science, Space, and Technology Committee has heard
from dozens of companies with innovative reactor designs, the ability
to move new nuclear technology to the market has been stalled by
government approval and licensing red tape.
S. 97 provides an alternative pathway for these nuclear
entrepreneurs. The safe development of advanced nuclear technology at
DOE sites will provide access to DOE resources and expertise, and fast
track the commercial regulatory process by involving nuclear reactors
at the earliest stages of prototype design and construction.
[[Page H8239]]
Nuclear power has been a proven source of safe and emission-free
electricity for over half a century. By enacting this legislation and
investing in the capabilities needed by the private sector to develop
advanced reactors, we can build on the history of American leadership
in nuclear power and reduce emissions around the world.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Weber and Ranking Member
Johnson for their work on this bill, as well as our Senate colleagues,
including Senator Mike Crapo, Senator Jim Risch, Senator Lisa
Murkowski, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, and Senator Cory Booker for
leading the effort to pass this bill through the Senate.
Mr. Speaker, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support and clear
this legislation for President Trump's approval.
{time} 1445
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
S. 97 is vital to ensuring America's leadership in nuclear research
and development. By harnessing the expertise and unique capabilities of
our Nation's national labs, universities, and entrepreneurs, American
industry can take the lead in developing groundbreaking advanced
nuclear technology for the next generation.
I especially thank my colleagues in the Senate and on the Science,
Space, and Technology Committee who have worked hard to get this
legislation passed: Senators Crapo, Whitehouse, Murkowski, and Booker,
and, of course, Ranking Member Johnson and Chairman Smith, as well as
my other colleagues. I also thank the dozens of researchers and
stakeholders who provided critical feedback over the past several years
as we have been developing this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the adoption of this commonsense, bipartisan
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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, S. 97.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________