I 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 1534 

To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 

of Staff to jointly carry out a study on the use of thorium-liquid fueled 

nuclear reactors for naval power needs, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 16, 2009 

Mr. SESTAK introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 

Committee on Armed Services 

A BILL 

To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of 

the Joint Chiefs of Staff to jointly carry out a study 

on the use of thorium-liquid fueled nuclear reactors for 

naval power needs, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. STUDY ON THORIUM-LIQUID FUELED REAC4 TORS FOR NAVAL FORCES. 

5 (a) STUDY REQUIRED.—The Secretary of Defense 

6 and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall jointly 

7 carry out a study on the use of thorium-liquid fueled nu8 clear reactors for naval power needs pursuant to section 


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1 1012, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fis2 cal Year 2008 (Public Law 110–181; 122 Stat. 303). 

3 (b) CONTENTS OF STUDY.—In carrying out the study 

4 required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense 

5 and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall, with 

6 respect to naval power requirements for the Navy strike 

7 and amphibious force— 

8 (1) compare and contrast thorium-liquid fueled 

9 reactor concept to the 2005 Quick Look, 2006 Navy 

10 Alternative Propulsion Study, and the Navy CG(X) 

11 Analysis of Alternatives study; 

12 (2) identify the benefits to naval operations 

13 which thorium-liquid fueled nuclear reactors or ura14 nium reactors would provide to major surface com15 batants compared to conventionally fueled ships, in16 cluding such benefits with respect to— 

17 (A) fuel cycle, from mining to waste dis18 posal; 

19 (B) security of fuel supply; 

20 (C) power needs for advanced weapons and 

21 sensors; 

22 (D) safety of operation, waste handling 

23 and disposal, and proliferation issues compared 

24 to uranium reactors; 


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•HR 1534 IH

1 (E) no requirement to refuel and reduced 

2 logistics; 

3 (F) ship upgrades and retrofitting; 

4 (G) reduced manning; 

5 (H) global range at flank speed, greater 

6 forward presence, and extended combat oper7 ations; 

8 (I) power for advanced sensors and weap9 ons, including electromagnetic guns and lasers; 

10 (J) survivability due to increased perform11 ance and reduced signatures; 

12 (K) high power density propulsion; 

13 (L) operational tempo; 

14 (M) operational effectiveness; and 

15 (N) estimated cost-effectiveness; and 

16 (3) conduct a ROM cost-effectiveness compari17 son of nuclear reactors in use by the Navy as of the 

18 date of the enactment of this Act, thorium-liquid 

19 fueled reactors, and conventional fueled major sur20 face combatants, which shall include a comparison 

21 of— 

22 (A) security, safety, and infrastructure 

23 costs of fuel supplies; 

24 (B) nuclear proliferation issues; 

25 (C) reactor safety; 


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1 (D) nuclear fuel safety, waste handling, 

2 and storage; 

3 (E) power requirements and distribution 

4 for sensors, weapons, and propulsion; and 

5 (F) capabilities to fully execute the Navy 

6 Maritime Strategic Concept. 

7 (c) REPORT.—Not later than February 1, 2011, the 

8 Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint 

9 Chiefs of Staff shall jointly submit to the congressional 

10 defense committees a report on the results of the study 

11 required under subsection (a). 

Æ 


rfrederick on PROD1PC67 with BILLS