National Nuclear University Research Infrastructure Reinvestment Act of 2021

To require the Secretary of Energy to revitalize existing university infrastructure relating to nuclear science and engineering and establish new university-based nuclear science and engineering facilities, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the National Nuclear University Research Infrastructure Reinvestment Act of 2021 2. Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to upgrade the nuclear research capabilities of universities in the United States to meet the research requirements of advanced nuclear energy systems; (2) to ensure the continued operation of university research reactors; (3) to coordinate available resources to enable the establishment, including the start and efficient completion of construction, of new nuclear science and engineering facilities; and (4) to support— (A) workforce development critical to maintaining United States leadership in nuclear science and engineering and related disciplines; and (B) the establishment or enhancement of nuclear science and engineering capabilities and other, related capabilities at historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges or universities, minority-serving institutions, EPSCoR universities, junior or community colleges, and associate-degree-granting colleges. 3. University infrastructure collaboration Section 954(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16274(a) (1) in paragraph (2), by amending subparagraph (D) to read as follows: (D) promote collaborations, partnerships, and knowledge sharing between institutions of higher education, National Laboratories, other Federal agencies, industry, and associated labor unions; and ; and (2) by amending paragraph (4) to read as follows: (4) Strengthening University Research and Training Reactors and Associated Infrastructure (A) In general In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary may support— (i) converting research reactors from high-enrichment fuels to low-enrichment fuels and upgrading operational instrumentation; (ii) revitalizing and upgrading existing nuclear science and engineering infrastructure that support the development of advanced nuclear technologies and applications; (iii) regional or subregional university-led consortia to— (I) broaden access to university research reactors; (II) enhance existing university-based nuclear science and engineering infrastructure; and (III) provide project management, technical support, quality engineering and inspections, manufacturing, and nuclear material support; (iv) student training programs, in collaboration with the United States nuclear industry, in relicensing and upgrading reactors, including through the provision of technical assistance; and (v) reactor improvements that emphasize research, training, and education, including through the Innovations in Nuclear Infrastructure and Education Program or any similar program. (B) Authorization of appropriations Of any amounts appropriated to carry out the program under this subsection, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out clauses (ii) and (iii) of subparagraph (A) $55,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026. . 4. Advanced Nuclear Research Infrastructure Enhancement Subprogram Section 954(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16274(a) (1) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (8) as paragraphs (6) through (9), respectively; (2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: (5) Advanced Nuclear Research Infrastructure Enhancement (A) In general The Secretary shall carry out a subprogram to be known as the Advanced Nuclear Research Infrastructure Enhancement Subprogram in order to— (i) demonstrate various advanced nuclear reactor and nuclear microreactor concepts; (ii) establish medical isotope production reactors or other specialized applications; and (iii) advance other research infrastructure that, in the determination of the Secretary, is consistent with the mission of the Department. (B) New nuclear science and engineering facilities In carrying out the subprogram, the Secretary shall establish— (i) not more than 4 new research reactors; and (ii) new nuclear science and engineering facilities, as required to address research demand and identified infrastructure gaps. (C) Locations New research reactors and facilities established under subparagraph (B) shall be established in a manner that— (i) supports the regional or subregional consortia described in paragraph (4)(C); and (ii) encourages the participation of— (I) historically Black colleges and universities; (II) Tribal colleges or universities; (III) minority-serving institutions; (IV) EPSCoR universities; (V) junior or community colleges; and (VI) associate-degree-granting colleges. (D) Fuel requirements New research reactors established under subparagraph (B) shall not use high-enriched uranium, as defined in section 2001 of division Z of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. (E) Authorization of appropriations Of any amounts appropriated to carry out the program under this subsection, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the subprogram under this paragraph— (i) $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; (ii) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2023; (iii) $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; (iv) $65,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; (v) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; (vi) $140,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; (vii) $120,000,000 for fiscal year 2028; and (viii) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2029. ; and (3) by amending paragraph (9), as redesignated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, to read as follows: (9) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Associate-degree-granting college The term associate-degree-granting college 20 U.S.C. 1001 (i) is a nonprofit institution that offers a 2-year associate-degree program or a 2-year certificate program; or (ii) is a proprietary institution that offers a 2-year associate degree program. (B) Junior faculty The term junior faculty (C) Junior or community college The term junior or community college 20 U.S.C. 1058 (D) EPSCoR The term EPSCoR university 42 U.S.C. 1862p (E) Historically black college or university The term historically Black college or university part B institution 20 U.S.C. 1061 (F) Minority-serving institution The term minority-serving institution 20 U.S.C. 1067q(a) (G) Tribal college or university The term Tribal college or university 20 U.S.C. 1059c . 5. Science education and human resources scholarships, fellowships, and research and development projects (a) In general The purpose of this section is to support a diverse workforce for the complex landscape associated with effective and equitable development of advanced nuclear energy technologies, including interdisciplinary research to enable positive impacts and avoid potential negative impacts across the lifespan of nuclear energy technologies. (b) Nontechnical nuclear research Section 313 of the Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 ( Public Law 111–8 42 U.S.C. 16274a (1) in subsection (b)(2), after engineering , which may include nontechnical nuclear research (2) in subsection (c), by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) Nontechnical nuclear research The term nontechnical nuclear research 42 U.S.C. 16271(a)(2) ; and (3) in subsection (d)(1), by striking $30,000,000 $45,000,000 September 14, 2022 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: National Nuclear University Research Infrastructure Reinvestment Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and expands the Nuclear Energy University Program within the Department of Energy (DOE) that supports university research and training in nuclear science and engineering. For example, the bill expands the program to provide support to universities for revitalizing and upgrading existing nuclear science and engineering infrastructure that support the development of advanced nuclear technologies and applications. In addition, the bill establishes an Advanced Nuclear Research Infrastructure Enhancement Subprogram under which DOE must establish four new research reactors as well as new nuclear science and engineering facilities.