I 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. R. 4378 

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 

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. 

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 SecVerDate Sep 11 2014 23:23 Nov 17, 2017 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H4378.IH H4378

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1 retary shall consult with the private sector, universities, 

2 National Laboratories, and relevant Federal agencies to 

3 ensure that the versatile neutron source is capable of 

4 meeting Federal research needs for neutron irradiation 

5 services. 

6 (b) FACILITY CAPABILITIES.— 

7 (1) CAPABILITIES.—The Secretary shall ensure 

8 that the facility described in subsection (a) will pro9 vide, at a minimum, the following capabilities: 

10 (A) Fast neutron spectrum irradiation ca11 pability. 

12 (B) Capacity for upgrades to accommodate 

13 new or expanded research needs. 

14 (2) CONSIDERATIONS.—In carrying out para15 graph (1), the Secretary shall consider the following: 

16 (A) Capabilities that support experimental 

17 high-temperature testing. 

18 (B) Providing a source of fast neutrons at 

19 a neutron flux higher than that at which exist20 ing research facilities operate, sufficient to en21 able research for an optimal base of prospective 

22 users. 

23 (C) Maximizing irradiation flexibility and 

24 irradiation volume to accommodate as many 

25 concurrent users as possible. 


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1 (D) Capabilities for irradiation with neu2 trons of a lower energy spectrum. 

3 (E) Multiple loops for fuels and materials 

4 testing of different coolants. 

5 (F) Capabilities that support irradiating 

6 and processing targets for isotope production. 

7 (G) Additional pre-irradiation and post-ir8 radiation examination capabilities. 

9 (H) Lifetime operating costs and lifecycle 

10 costs. 

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

12 the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the start of 

13 full operations of the facility under this section occurs be14 fore December 31, 2025. 

15 (d) FUNDING.—Out of funds appropriated to the Of16 fice of Nuclear Energy, there shall be made available to 

17 the Secretary to carry out activities, including design and 

18 construction of the facility, under this section— 

19 (1) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; 

20 (2) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 

21 (3) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2020; 

22 (4) $260,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; 

23 (5) $340,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; 

24 (6) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; 

25 (7) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and 


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1 (8) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2025. 

Æ 


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