IB 

Union Calendar No. 419 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 4378 

[Report No. 115–557] 

To direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out the construction of a versatile 

reactor-based fast neutron source, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 13, 2017 

Mr. WEBER of Texas (for himself, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, 

Mr. SMITH of Texas, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. KNIGHT, and Mr. HULTGREN) 

introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on 

Science, Space, and Technology 

FEBRUARY 13, 2018 

Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union 

and ordered to be printed 


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2 

•HR 4378 RH

A BILL 

To direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out the construction of a versatile reactor-based fast neutron source, 

and for other purposes. 


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•HR 4378 RH

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

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Nuclear Energy Re5 search Infrastructure Act of 2017’’. 

6 SEC. 2. VERSATILE NEUTRON SOURCE. 

7 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Energy shall 

8 provide for a versatile reactor-based fast neutron source, 

9 which shall operate as a national user facility. The Sec10 retary shall consult with the private sector, universities, 

11 National Laboratories, and relevant Federal agencies to 

12 ensure that the versatile neutron source is capable of 

13 meeting Federal research needs for neutron irradiation 

14 services. 

15 (b) FACILITY CAPABILITIES.— 

16 (1) CAPABILITIES.—The Secretary shall ensure 

17 that the facility described in subsection (a) will pro18 vide, at a minimum, the following capabilities: 

19 (A) Fast neutron spectrum irradiation ca20 pability. 

21 (B) Capacity for upgrades to accommodate 

22 new or expanded research needs. 

23 (2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out para24 graph (1), the Secretary shall consider the following: 


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1 (A) Capabilities that support experimental 

2 high-temperature testing. 

3 (B) Providing a source of fast neutrons at 

4 a neutron flux higher than that at which exist5 ing research facilities operate, sufficient to en6 able research for an optimal base of prospective 

7 users. 

8 (C) Maximizing irradiation flexibility and 

9 irradiation volume to accommodate as many 

10 concurrent users as possible. 

11 (D) Capabilities for irradiation with neu12 trons of a lower energy spectrum. 

13 (E) Multiple loops for fuels and materials 

14 testing of different coolants. 

15 (F) Capabilities that support irradiating 

16 and processing targets for isotope production. 

17 (G) Additional pre-irradiation and post-ir18 radiation examination capabilities. 

19 (H) Lifetime operating costs and lifecycle 

20 costs. 

21 (c) START OF OPERATIONS.—The Secretary shall, to 

22 the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the start of 

23 full operations of the facility under this section occurs be24 fore December 31, 2025. 


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1 (d) FUNDING.—Out of funds appropriated to the Of2 fice of Nuclear Energy, there shall be made available to 

3 the Secretary to carry out activities, including design and 

4 construction of the facility, under this section— 

5 (1) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; 

6 (2) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 

7 (3) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 

8 (4) $260,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 

9 (5) $340,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; 

10 (6) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; 

11 (7) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and 

12 (8) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2025. 


lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS
Union Calendar No. 419 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 4378 

[Report No. 115–557] 

A BILL 

To direct the Secretary of Energy to carry out the 

tron source, and for other purposes. construction of a versatile reactor-based fast neuFEBRUARY 13, 2018 

Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 

State of the Union and ordered to be printed 


lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with BILLS