Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019

To amend the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Title I—Monitored Retrievable Storage Sec. 101. Monitored retrievable storage. Sec. 102. Authorization and priority. Sec. 103. Conditions for MRS agreements. Sec. 104. Survey. Sec. 105. Site selection. Sec. 106. Benefits agreement. Sec. 107. Licensing. Sec. 108. Financial assistance. Title II—Permanent Repository Sec. 201. Land withdrawal, jurisdiction, and reservation. Sec. 202. Application procedures and infrastructure activities. Sec. 203. Pending repository license application. Sec. 204. Limitation on planning, development, or construction of defense waste repository. Sec. 205. Sense of Congress regarding transportation routes. Title III—DOE Contract Performance Sec. 301. Title to material. Title IV—Benefits To Host Community Sec. 401. Consent. Sec. 402. Content of agreements. Sec. 403. Covered units of local government. Sec. 404. Termination. Sec. 405. Priority funding for certain institutions of higher education. Sec. 406. Disposal of spent nuclear fuel. Sec. 407. Updated report. Title V—Funding Sec. 501. Assessment and collection of fees. Sec. 502. Use of Waste Fund. Sec. 503. Annual multiyear budget proposal. Sec. 504. Availability of certain amounts. Title VI—Miscellaneous Sec. 601. Certain standards and criteria. Sec. 602. Application. Sec. 603. Transportation safety assistance. Sec. 604. Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel. Sec. 605. Subseabed or ocean water disposal. Sec. 606. Budgetary effects. Sec. 607. Requirement for financial statements summary. Sec. 608. Stranded nuclear waste. I Monitored Retrievable Storage 101. Monitored retrievable storage (a) Proposal Section 141(b) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10161(b) (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by striking 1985 2019 (B) by striking the construction of (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by amending subparagraph (C) to read as follows: (C) designs, specifications, and cost estimates sufficient to— (i) solicit bids for the construction of one or more such facilities; and (ii) enable completion and operation of such a facility as soon as practicable; ; (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking this Act. this Act; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (E) options to enter into MRS agreements with respect to one or more monitored retrievable storage facilities. ; and (3) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows: (4) The Secretary shall, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019 . (b) Additional amendments (1) In general Section 141 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10161 (A) in subsection (c)(2)— (i) by striking If the Congress monitored retrievable storage facility, the The (ii) by striking construction of such facility construction of a monitored retrievable storage facility (B) by striking subsections (d) through (h). (2) Definitions Section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10101 (A) in paragraph (34), by striking the storage facility a storage facility (B) by adding at the end the following: (35) The term MRS agreement (36) The term Department-owned civilian waste . (3) Technical amendments Section 146 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10166 (A) in subsection (a), by striking such subsection subsection (f) of such section (B) in subsection (b), by striking this subsection this section 102. Authorization and priority Section 142 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10162 (b) Authorization Subject to the requirements of this subtitle, the Secretary is authorized to— (1) site, construct, and operate one or more monitored retrievable storage facilities; and (2) store, pursuant to an MRS agreement, Department-owned civilian waste at a monitored retrievable storage facility for which a non-Federal entity holds a license described in section 143(1). (c) Priority (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Secretary shall prioritize storage of Department-owned civilian waste at a monitored retrievable storage facility authorized under subsection (b)(2). (2) Exception (A) Determination Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the Secretary determines that it will be faster and less expensive to site, construct, and operate a facility authorized under subsection (b)(1), in comparison to a facility authorized under subsection (b)(2). (B) Notification Not later than 30 days after the Secretary makes a determination described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall submit to Congress written notification of such determination. . 103. Conditions for MRS agreements (a) Amendment Section 143 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10163 143. Conditions for MRS agreements (a) In general The Secretary may not enter into an MRS agreement under section 142(b)(2) unless— (1) the monitored retrievable storage facility with respect to which the MRS agreement applies has been licensed by the Commission under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 ( 42 U.S.C. 2011 (2) the non-Federal entity that is a party to the MRS agreement has approval to store Department-owned civilian waste at such facility from each of— (A) the Governor of the State in which the facility is located; (B) any unit of general local government with jurisdiction over the area in which the facility is located; and (C) any affected Indian tribe; (3) except as provided in subsection (b), the Commission has issued a final repository decision; and (4) the MRS agreement provides that the quantity of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel at the site of the facility at any one time will not exceed the limits described in section 148(d)(3) and (4). (b) Initial agreement (1) Authorization The Secretary may enter into one MRS agreement under section 142(b)(2) before the Commission has issued a final repository decision. (2) Funding There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection— (A) for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2022, the greater of— (i) $50,000,000; or (ii) the amount that is equal to 10 percent of the amounts appropriated from the Waste Fund in that fiscal year; and (B) for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2025, the amount that is equal to 10 percent of the amounts appropriated from the Waste Fund in that fiscal year. (3) Priority (A) In general An MRS agreement entered into pursuant to paragraph (1) shall, to the extent allowable under this Act (including under the terms of the standard contract established in section 961.11 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations), provide for prioritization of the storage of Department-owned civilian waste that originated from any facility that— (i) has ceased commercial operation; and (ii) is located in— (I) an area that is of high seismicity; and (II) close proximity to a major body of water. (B) No effect on standard contract Nothing in subparagraph (A) shall be construed to amend or otherwise alter the standard contract established in section 961.11 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations. (4) Conditions (A) No storage Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary may not store any Department-owned civilian waste at the initial MRS facility until the Commission has issued a final repository decision. (B) Exception (i) Finding The Secretary may make a finding that a final repository decision is imminent, which finding shall be updated not less often than quarterly until the date on which the Commission issues a final repository decision. (ii) Storage If the Secretary makes a finding under clause (i), the Secretary may store Department-owned civilian waste at the initial MRS facility in accordance with this section. (iii) Notice Not later than 7 days after the Secretary makes or updates a finding under clause (i), the Secretary shall submit to Congress written notification of such finding. (iv) Reporting In addition to the requirements of section 114(c), if the Secretary makes a finding under clause (i), the Secretary shall submit to Congress the report described in such section 114(c) not later than 1 month after the Secretary makes such finding and monthly thereafter until the date on which the Commission issues a final repository decision. (C) No effect on Federal disposal policy Nothing in this subsection affects the Federal responsibility for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, or the definite Federal policy with regard to the disposal of such waste and spent fuel, established under subtitle A, as described in section 111(b). (c) Definitions For purposes of this section: (1) Final repository decision The term final repository decision (2) Initial MRS facility The term initial MRS facility . (b) Conforming amendment The item relating to section 143 in the table of contents for the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 is amended to read as follows: Sec. 143. Conditions for MRS agreements. . 104. Survey Section 144 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10164 (1) by striking After the MRS Commission submits its report to the Congress under section 143, the (a) In general (2) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking for a monitored retrievable storage facility for any monitored retrievable storage facility authorized under section 142 (3) in paragraph (6), by striking ; and (4) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (5) by adding after paragraph (7) the following: (8) be acceptable to State authorities, affected units of local government, and affected Indian tribes. (b) Request for proposals The Secretary shall issue a request for proposals for an MRS agreement authorized under section 142(b)(2) before conducting a survey and evaluation under subsection (a), and shall consider any proposals received in response to such request in making the evaluation. . 105. Site selection Section 145 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10165 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking select the site evaluated select a site evaluated (B) by striking the most (C) by inserting authorized under section 142(b)(1) monitored retrievable storage facility (2) by striking subsection (g). 106. Benefits agreement Section 147 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10167 (1) by inserting the Secretary intends to construct and operate under section 142(b)(1) storage facility (2) by inserting or once a non-Federal entity enters into an MRS agreement under section 142(b)(2), section 145, 107. Licensing (a) Review of license application Section 148(c) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10168(c) section 142(b) section 142(b)(1) (b) Licensing conditions Section 148(d) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10168(d) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking has issued a license for the construction of a repository under section 115(d) has issued a final decision approving or disapproving the issuance of a construction authorization for a repository under section 114(d)(1) (2) in paragraph (2), by striking or construction of the repository ceases 108. Financial assistance Section 149 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 is amended by inserting authorized under section 142(b)(1) a monitored retrievable storage facility II Permanent Repository 201. Land withdrawal, jurisdiction, and reservation (a) Land withdrawal, jurisdiction, and reservation (1) Land withdrawal Subject to valid existing rights and except as provided otherwise in this section, the lands described in subsection (c) are withdrawn permanently from all forms of entry, appropriation, and disposal under the public land laws, including the mineral leasing laws, the geothermal leasing laws, and the mining laws. (2) Jurisdiction Except as otherwise provided in this section, jurisdiction over the withdrawal is vested in the Secretary. There are transferred to the Secretary the lands within the withdrawal under the jurisdiction of the Secretary concerned on the effective date described in subsection (j)(1). (3) Reservation The withdrawal is reserved for use by the Secretary for development, pre­con­struc­tion testing and performance confirmation, licensing, construction, management and operation, monitoring, closure, postclosure, and other activities associated with the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10101 (b) Revocation and modification of public land orders and rights-of-Way (1) Public land order revocation Public Land Order 6802 of September 25, 1990, as extended by Public Land Order 7534, and any conditions or memoranda of understanding accompanying those land orders, are revoked. (2) Right-of-way reservations Project right-of-way reservations N–48602 and N–47748 of January 2001, are revoked. (c) Land description (1) Boundaries The lands and interests in lands withdrawn and reserved by this section comprise the approximately 147,000 acres of land in Nye County, Nevada, as generally depicted on the Yucca Mountain Project Map, YMP–03–024.2, entitled Proposed Land Withdrawal (2) Legal description and map Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall— (A) publish in the Federal Register a notice containing a legal description of the withdrawal; and (B) file copies of the maps described in paragraph (1) and the legal description of the withdrawal with the Congress, the Governor of the State of Nevada, and the Archivist of the United States. (3) Technical corrections The maps and legal description referred to in this subsection have the same force and effect as if they were included in this section. The Secretary of the Interior may correct clerical and typographical errors in the maps and legal description. (d) Relationship to other reservations The provisions of subtitle A of title XXX of the Military Lands Withdrawal Act of 1999 (sections 3011–3023 of Public Law 106–65 (e) Management responsibilities (1) General authority The Secretary shall manage the lands withdrawn by subsection (a) consistent with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1701 (2) Management plan (A) Development The Secretary, after consulting with the Secretary concerned, shall develop a management plan for the use of the withdrawal. Within 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit the management plan to the Congress and the State of Nevada. (B) Priority of Yucca Mountain Project-related issues Subject to subparagraphs (C) and (D), any use of the withdrawal for activities not associated with the Project is subject to conditions and restrictions that the Secretary considers necessary or desirable to permit the conduct of Project-related activities. (C) Department of the Air Force uses The management plan may provide for the continued use by the Department of the Air Force of the portion of the withdrawal within the Nellis Air Force Base Test and Training Range under terms and conditions on which the Secretary and the Secretary of the Air Force agree concerning Air Force activities. (D) Other non-Yucca Mountain Project uses The management plan shall provide for the maintenance of wildlife habitat and shall provide that the Secretary may permit non-Project-related uses that the Secretary considers appropriate, including domestic livestock grazing and hunting and trapping in accordance with the following requirements: (i) Grazing The Secretary may permit grazing to continue where established before the effective date described in subsection (j)(1), subject to regulations, policies, and practices that the Secretary, after consulting with the Secretary of the Interior, determines to be necessary or appropriate. The management of grazing shall be conducted in accordance with applicable grazing laws and policies, including— (I) the Act commonly known as the Taylor Grazing Act 43 U.S.C. 315 (II) title IV of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 ( 43 U.S.C. 1751 (III) the Public Rangelands Improvement Act of 1978 ( 43 U.S.C. 1901 (ii) Hunting and trapping The Secretary may permit hunting and trapping within the withdrawal where established before the effective date described in subsection (k)(1), except that the Secretary, after consulting with the Secretary of the Interior and the State of Nevada, may designate zones where, and establish periods when, no hunting or trapping is permitted for reasons of public safety, national security, administration, or public use and enjoyment. (E) Mining (i) In general Except as provided in clause (ii), surface or subsurface mining or oil or gas production, including slant drilling from outside the boundaries of the withdrawal, is not permitted at any time on lands on or under the withdrawal. The Secretary of the Interior shall evaluate and adjudicate the validity of all unpatented mining claims on the portion of the withdrawal that, on the date of enactment of this Act, was under the control of the Bureau of Land Management. The Secretary shall provide just compensation for the acquisition of any valid property right. (ii) Cind-r-lite Mine Patented Mining Claim No. 27–83–0002, covering the Cind-R-Lite Mine, shall not be affected by establishment of the withdrawal set forth in subsection (a)(1). In that event, the Secretary shall provide just compensation. (F) Limited public access The management plan may provide for limited public access to the portion of the withdrawal under Bureau of Land Management control on the effective date described in subsection (j)(1). Permitted uses may include continuation of the Nye County Early Warning Drilling Program, utility corridors, and other uses the Secretary, after consulting with the Secretary of the Interior, considers consistent with the purposes of the withdrawal. (3) Closure If the Secretary, after consulting with the Secretary concerned, determines that the health and safety of the public or the common defense and security require the closure of a road, trail, or other portion of the withdrawal, or the airspace above the withdrawal, the Secretary may effect and maintain the closure and shall provide notice of the closure. (4) Implementation The Secretary and the Secretary concerned shall implement the management plan developed under paragraph (2) under terms and conditions on which they agree. (f) Immunity The United States and its departments and agencies shall be held harmless and shall not be liable for damages to persons or property suffered in the course of any mining, mineral leasing, or geothermal leasing activity conducted on the withdrawal. (g) Land acquisition The Secretary may acquire lands and interests in lands within the withdrawal. Those lands and interests in lands may be acquired by donation, purchase, lease, exchange, easement, rights-of-way, or other appropriate methods using donated or appropriated funds. The Secretary of the Interior shall conduct any exchange of lands within the withdrawal for Federal lands outside the withdrawal. (h) Material requirements Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no Federal, State, interstate, or local requirement, either substantive or procedural, that is referred to in section 6001(a) of the Solid Waste Disposal Act ( 42 U.S.C. 6961(a) (1) as such material is transported to a repository for disposal at such repository; or (2) as, or after, such material is disposed of in a repository. (i) Definitions (1) Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 definitions For purposes of this section, the terms disposal high-level radioactive waste repository Secretary spent nuclear fuel 42 U.S.C. 10101 (2) Other definitions For purposes of this section— (A) the term withdrawal (B) the term Secretary concerned (C) the term Project (j) Effective date (1) In general Except as provided in paragraph (2), this section shall take effect on the date on which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues a final decision approving the issuance of a construction authorization for a repository under section 114(d)(1) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10134(d) (2) Exceptions Subsections (c), (e)(2)(A), (h), (i), and (j) shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act. 202. Application procedures and infrastructure activities (a) Status report on application Section 114(c) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10134(c) the date on which such authorization is granted the date on which the Commission issues a final decision approving or disapproving such application (b) Application procedures and infrastructure activities Section 114(d) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10134(d) (1) by striking The Commission shall consider (1) Applications for construction authorization The Commission shall consider ; (2) by striking the expiration of 3 years after the date of the submission of such application 30 months after the date of enactment of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019 (3) by striking 70,000 metric tons 110,000 metric tons (4) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (2) Applications to amend If the Commission issues a construction authorization for a repository pursuant to paragraph (1) and the Secretary submits an application to amend such authorization, the Commission shall consider the application to amend using expedited, informal procedures, including discovery procedures that minimize the burden on the parties to produce documents. The Commission shall issue a final decision on such application to amend within 1 year after the date of submission of such application, except that the Commission may extend such deadline by not more than 6 months if, not less than 30 days before such deadline, the Commission complies with the reporting requirements established in subsection (e)(2). (3) Infrastructure activities (A) In general At any time before or after the Commission issues a final decision approving or disapproving the issuance of a construction authorization for a repository pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary may undertake infrastructure activities that the Secretary considers necessary or appropriate to support construction or operation of a repository at the Yucca Mountain site or transportation to such site of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Infrastructure activities include safety upgrades, site preparation, the construction of a rail line to connect the Yucca Mountain site with the national rail network (including any facilities to facilitate rail operations), and construction, upgrade, acquisition, or operation of electrical grids or facilities, other utilities, communication facilities, access roads, and nonnuclear support facilities. (B) Environmental analysis If the Secretary determines that an environmental analysis is required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 with respect to an infrastructure activity undertaken under this paragraph, the Secretary need not consider alternative actions or a no-action alternative. To the extent any other Federal agency must consider the potential environmental impact of such an infrastructure activity, the agency shall adopt, to the extent practicable, any environmental analysis prepared by the Secretary under this subparagraph without further action. Such adoption satisfies the responsibilities of the adopting agency under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and no further action is required by the agency. (C) No grounds for disapproval The Commission may not disapprove, on the grounds that the Secretary undertook an infrastructure activity under this paragraph— (i) the issuance of a construction authorization for a repository pursuant to paragraph (1); (ii) a license to receive and possess spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste; or (iii) any other action concerning the repository. . (c) Connected actions Section 114(f)(6) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10134(f)(6) or nongeologic alternatives to such site nongeologic alternatives to such site, or an action connected or otherwise related to the repository to the extent the action is undertaken outside the geologic repository operations area and does not require a license from the Commission 203. Pending repository license application Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be construed to require the Secretary to amend or otherwise modify an application for a construction authorization described in section 114(d) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10134(d) 204. Limitation on planning, development, or construction of defense waste repository (a) Limitation The Secretary of Energy may not take any action relating to the planning, development, or construction of a defense waste repository until the date on which the Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues a final decision approving or disapproving the issuance of a construction authorization for a repository under section 114(d)(1) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10134(d) (b) Definitions In this section— (1) the terms atomic energy defense activity high-level radioactive waste repository spent nuclear fuel 42 U.S.C. 10101 (2) the term defense waste repository Draft Plan for a Defense Waste Repository 205. Sense of Congress regarding transportation routes It is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Energy should consider routes for the transportation of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste transported by or for the Secretary under subtitle A of title I of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10131 III DOE Contract Performance 301. Title to material Section 123 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10143 (1) by striking Delivery (a) (2) by striking repository constructed under this subtitle repository or monitored retrievable storage facility (3) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (b) Contract modification The Secretary may enter into new contracts or negotiate modifications to existing contracts, with any person who generates or holds title to high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel of domestic origin, for acceptance of title, subsequent transportation, and storage of such high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel (including to expedite such acceptance of title, transportation, and storage of such waste or fuel from facilities that have ceased commercial operation) at a monitored retrievable storage facility authorized under subtitle C. . IV Benefits To Host Community 401. Consent Section 170 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10173 (1) in subsection (c), by striking shall offer may offer (2) in subsection (d), by striking shall may (3) in subsection (e)— (A) by inserting a comma after repository (B) by inserting per State, facility (4) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (g) Consent The acceptance or use of any of the benefits provided under a benefits agreement under this section by the State of Nevada shall not be considered to be an expression of consent, express or implied, to the siting of a repository in such State. . 402. Content of agreements (a) Benefits schedule The table in section 171(a)(1) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10173a(a)(1) BENEFITS SCHEDULE Event MRS Repository (A) Annual payments prior to first spent fuel receipt $5,000,000 $15,000,000 (B) Upon first spent fuel receipt $10,000,000 $400,000,000 (C) Annual payments after first spent fuel receipt until closure of the facility $10,000,000 $40,000,000 . (b) Restrictions on use Section 171(a) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10173a(a) (1) in paragraph (6), by striking paragraph (7) paragraphs (7) and (8) (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (8) None of the payments under this section may be used— (A) directly or indirectly to influence legislative action on any matter pending before Congress or a State legislature or for any lobbying activity as provided in section 1913 of title 18, United States Code; (B) for litigation purposes; or (C) to support multistate efforts or other coalition-building activities inconsistent with the siting, construction, or operation of the monitored retrievable storage facility or repository concerned. . (c) Contents Section 171(b) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10173a(b) (1) by striking paragraph (2); (2) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively; and (3) in paragraph (3) (as redesignated by paragraph (2) of this subsection), by striking in the design of the repository or monitored retrievable storage facility and (d) Payments by Secretary Section 171(c) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10173a(c) (c) Payments by Secretary The Secretary shall make payments to the State of Nevada under a benefits agreement concerning a repository under section 170 from the Waste Fund. The signature of the Secretary on a valid benefits agreement under this subtitle shall constitute a commitment, but only to the extent that all amounts for that purpose are provided in advance in subsequent appropriations Acts, by the Secretary to make payments in accordance with such agreement. . 403. Covered units of local government (a) In general The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10101 172A. Covered units of local government (a) Benefits agreement Not earlier than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary may enter into a benefits agreement with any covered unit of local government concerning a repository for the acceptance of high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel in the State of Nevada. (b) Content of agreements In addition to any benefits that a covered unit of local government may receive under this Act, the Secretary shall make payments to such covered unit of local government that is a party to a benefits agreement under subsection (a) to mitigate impacts described in section 175(b). (c) Payments from Waste Fund The Secretary shall make payments to a covered unit of local government under a benefits agreement under this section from the Waste Fund. (d) Restriction on use None of the payments made pursuant to a benefits agreement under this section may be used— (1) directly or indirectly to influence legislative action on any matter pending before Congress or a State legislature or for any lobbying activity as provided in section 1913 of title 18, United States Code; (2) for litigation purposes; or (3) to support multistate efforts or other coalition-building activities inconsistent with the siting, construction, or operation of the repository. (e) Consent The acceptance or use of any of the benefits provided under a benefits agreement under this section by any covered unit of local government shall not be considered to be an expression of consent, express or implied, to the siting of a repository in the State of Nevada. (f) Covered unit of local government defined In this section, the term covered unit of local government (1) any affected unit of local government with respect to a repository; and (2) any unit of general local government in the State of Nevada. . (b) Conforming amendments (1) Benefits agreement Section 170(a)(4) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10173(a)(4) (4) Benefits and payments under this subtitle made available pursuant to a benefits agreement under this section or section 172A may be made available only in accordance with such benefits agreement and to the extent that all amounts for that purpose are provided in advance in subsequent appropriations Acts. . (2) Limitation Section 170(e) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10173(e) under this section may be in effect (3) Table of contents The table of contents for the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10101 Sec. 172A. Covered units of local government. . 404. Termination Section 173 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10173c (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking under this title if under this title (B) in paragraph (1), by inserting concerning a repository or a monitored retrievable storage facility, if the site under consideration (C) in paragraph (2), by striking the Secretary determines that the Commission cannot license the facility within a reasonable time concerning a repository, if the Commission issues a final decision disapproving the issuance of a construction authorization for a repository under section 114(d)(1) (2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: (b) Termination by State or Indian Tribe A State, covered unit of local government (as defined in section 172A), or Indian tribe may only terminate a benefits agreement under this title— (1) concerning a repository or a monitored retrievable storage facility, if the Secretary disqualifies the site under consideration for its failure to comply with technical requirements established by the Secretary in accordance with this Act; or (2) concerning a repository, if the Commission issues a final decision disapproving the issuance of a construction authorization for a repository under section 114(d)(1). . 405. Priority funding for certain institutions of higher education (a) In general Subtitle G of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10174 176. Priority funding for certain institutions of higher education (a) In general In providing any funding to institutions of higher education from the Waste Fund, the Secretary shall prioritize institutions of higher education that are located in the State of Nevada. (b) Definition In this section, the term institution of higher education 20 U.S.C. 1001 . (b) Conforming amendment The table of contents for the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10101 Sec. 176. Priority funding for certain institutions of higher education. . 406. Disposal of spent nuclear fuel Section 122 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10142 Any economic benefits derived from the retrieval of spent nuclear fuel pursuant to this section shall be shared with the State in which the repository is located, affected units of local government, and affected Indian tribes. 407. Updated report Section 175(a) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10174a(a) Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987 Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019 V Funding 501. Assessment and collection of fees (a) In general Section 302(a)(4) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10222(a)(4) (1) in the first sentence— (A) by striking (4) Not later than (4) Assessment, collection, and payment of fees (A) Assessment of fees Not later than ; (B) by striking the date of enactment of this Act the date of enactment of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019 (C) by striking collection and payment assessment (2) in the second sentence, by striking collection of the fee such amount (3) in the third sentence, by striking are being collected will result from such amounts (4) in the fifth sentence, by striking a period of 90 days of continuous session the date that is 180 days after the date of such transmittal. (5) by adding at the end the following: (B) Collection and payment of fees (i) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019 (ii) Limitation on collection The Secretary may not collect a fee established under paragraph (2), including a fee established under paragraph (2) and adjusted pursuant to subparagraph (A)— (I) until the date on which the Commission issues a final decision approving or disapproving the issuance of a construction authorization for a repository under section 114(d)(1); and (II) after such date, in an amount that will cause the total amount of fees collected under this subsection in any fiscal year to exceed 90 percent of the amounts appropriated for that fiscal year for purposes described in subsection (d). The limitation in subclause (II) shall not apply during a fiscal year if, at any time during that fiscal year, the Waste Fund has a balance of zero. (iii) Payment of full amounts Notwithstanding the noncollection of a fee by the Secretary pursuant to clause (ii) in any fiscal year, a person who has entered into a contract with the Secretary under this subsection shall pay any uncollected amounts when determined necessary by the Secretary, subject to clause (ii), for purposes described in subsection (d). . (b) Authority To modify contracts The Secretary of Energy may seek to modify a contract entered into under section 302(a) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10222(a) (c) Technical and conforming amendments Section 302(a) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10222(a) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) (2) in paragraph (3), by striking 126(b) (3) in paragraph (4), by striking insure ensure 502. Use of Waste Fund (a) In general Section 302(d) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10222(d) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking maintenance and monitoring maintenance and monitoring of any repository or test and evaluation facility constructed under this Act; (2) in paragraph (4), by striking to be disposed of to be disposed of in a repository or to be used in a test and evaluation facility; (3) in paragraph (5), by striking at a repository site at a repository site or a test and evaluation facility site and necessary or incident to such repository or test and evaluation facility; (4) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (5) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: (7) payments under benefits agreements for a repository entered into under section 170 or 172A. . (b) Conforming amendments Section 117(d) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10137(d) designated with respect to a repository such representatives 503. Annual multiyear budget proposal Section 302(e)(2) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10222(e)(2) triennially annually 504. Availability of certain amounts Section 302 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10222 (f) Limitation on funding (1) In general Beginning on the date of first spent fuel receipt at a repository, no amount may be appropriated in any fiscal year for activities relating to the repository, including transportation of additional spent fuel to the repository and operation of the repository, unless the applicable amount required with respect to the repository under section 171(a)(1)(B) or section 171(a)(1)(C) is appropriated for that fiscal year. (2) Definition In this subsection, the terms spent fuel first spent fuel receipt (g) Offsetting funding (1) In general Fees collected after the date of enactment of the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019 (2) Offsetting collection Fees collected in a fiscal year pursuant to paragraph (1) shall be deposited and credited as offsetting collections to the account providing appropriations for such activities and shall be classified as discretionary appropriations as defined by section 250(c)(7) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 900(c)(7) (3) Estimates For the purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 900 2 U.S.C. 621 . VI Miscellaneous 601. Certain standards and criteria (a) Generally applicable standards and criteria (1) Environmental Protection Agency standards (A) Determination and report Not later than 2 years after the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has issued a final decision approving or disapproving the issuance of a construction authorization for a repository under section 114(d)(1) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10134(d) (i) determine if the generally applicable standards promulgated under section 121(a) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10141(a) (ii) submit to Congress a report on such determination. (B) Rule If the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency determines, under subparagraph (A), that the generally applicable standards promulgated under section 121(a) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10141(a) (2) Commission requirements and criteria Not later than 2 years after the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency promulgates updated generally applicable standards pursuant to paragraph (1)(B), the Commission shall, by rule, promulgate updated technical requirements and criteria under section 121(b) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10141(b) (b) Site-Specific standards and criteria Nothing in this section shall affect the standards, technical requirements, and criteria promulgated by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the Yucca Mountain site under section 801 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 ( 42 U.S.C. 10141 602. Application Section 135 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10155 603. Transportation safety assistance Section 180(c) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10175(c) (1) by striking (c) The Secretary (c) Training and assistance (1) Training The Secretary ; and (2) by striking The Waste Fund (2) Assistance The Secretary shall, subject to the availability of appropriations, provide in-kind, financial, technical, and other appropriate assistance, for safety activities related to the transportation of high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel, to any entity receiving technical assistance or funds under paragraph (1). (3) Source of funding The Waste Fund . 604. Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel (a) Amendment to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 Section 304 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10224(b) (1) in the heading, by striking office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management office of Spent Nuclear Fuel (2) in subsection (a), by striking Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel (3) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows: (b) Director (1) Functions The Director of the Office shall be responsible for carrying out the functions of the Secretary under this Act. The Director of the Office shall report directly to the Secretary. (2) Qualifications The Director of the Office shall be appointed from among persons who have extensive expertise and experience in organizational and project management. (3) Removal The President may remove the Director only for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. If the President removes the Director, the President shall submit to Congress a statement explaining the reason for such removal. . (b) Transfer of functions (1) Amendment Section 203(a) of the Department of Energy Organization Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7133(a) (2) Transfer of functions The functions described in paragraph (8) stricken by the amendment made by paragraph (1) shall be transferred to and performed by the Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel, as provided in section 304 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10224 (c) Technical and conforming amendments The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 is amended— (1) in the table of contents, by amending the item relating to section 304 to read as follows: Sec. 304. Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel. ; and (2) in section 2(17) ( 42 U.S.C. 10101(17) Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management established in section 305 Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel established in section 304 (d) References Any reference to the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management in any law, regulation, document, record, Executive order, or other paper of the United States shall be deemed to be a reference to the Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel. 605. Subseabed or ocean water disposal (a) Prohibition Section 5 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10104 (1) by striking Nothing in this Act (a) Effect on Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 Nothing in this Act ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new subsection: (b) Subseabed or ocean water disposal Notwithstanding any other provision of law— (1) the subseabed or ocean water disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste is prohibited; and (2) no funds shall be obligated for any activity relating to the subseabed or ocean water disposal of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste. . (b) Repeal Section 224 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, and the item relating thereto in the table of contents for such Act, are repealed. 606. Budgetary effects (a) Statutory PAYGO Scorecards The budgetary effects of this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not be entered on either PAYGO scorecard maintained pursuant to section 4(d) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010. (b) Senate PAYGO Scorecards The budgetary effects of this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall not be entered on any PAYGO scorecard maintained for purposes of section 4106 of H. Con. Res. 71 (115th Congress). 607. Requirement for financial statements summary The Department of Energy shall include a financial statements summary in each audit report on the Department of Energy Nuclear Waste Fund’s fiscal year financial statement audit. 608. Stranded nuclear waste (a) Stranded Nuclear Waste Task Force (1) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a task force, to be known as the Stranded Nuclear Waste Task Force— (A) to conduct a study on existing public and private resources and funding for which affected communities may be eligible; and (B) to develop immediate and long-term economic adjustment plans tailored to the needs of each affected community. (2) Study Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Stranded Nuclear Waste Task Force shall complete and submit to Congress the study described in paragraph (1). (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Affected community The term affected community (2) Secretary The term Secretary (3) Stranded nuclear waste The term stranded nuclear waste

Summary: Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2019 This bill addresses the storage and disposal of nuclear waste. Among other things, the bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to initiate a program to consolidate and temporarily store commercial spent nuclear fuel during the development, construction, and operation of a permanent nuclear waste repository; addresses federal land withdrawal and related management issues, including the permanent withdrawal of specific federal land for repository use by DOE; updates the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing process and conditions for the permanent repository; limits activities relating to developing a separate defense waste repository used for storing high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel derived from the atomic energy defense activities of DOE; authorizes DOE to enter into agreements to provide benefits to state, local, and tribal governments that might host or be affected by facilities related to storing nuclear waste; revises the method by which DOE funds its nuclear waste management activities though the collection and usage of the Nuclear Waste Fund; creates an Office of Spent Nuclear Fuel within DOE; and requires DOE to establish a Stranded Nuclear Waste Task Force to study existing resources and funding for communities that contain stranded nuclear waste and develop economic adjustment plans for such communities.