Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act of 2017

To enable civilian research and development of advanced nuclear energy technologies by private and public institutions, to expand theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear physics, chemistry, and materials science, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act of 2017 2. Nuclear energy innovation capabilities (a) Nuclear energy Section 951 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16271 951. Nuclear energy (a) Mission (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out programs of civilian nuclear research, development, demonstration, and commercial application, including activities under this subtitle. (2) Considerations The programs carried out under paragraph (1) shall take into consideration the following objectives: (A) Providing research infrastructure to promote scientific progress and enable users from academia, the National Laboratories, and the private sector to make scientific discoveries relevant for nuclear, chemical, and materials science engineering. (B) Maintaining nuclear energy research and development programs at the National Laboratories and institutions of higher education, including infrastructure at the National Laboratories and institutions of higher education. (C) Providing the technical means to reduce the likelihood of nuclear proliferation. (D) Increasing confidence margins for public safety of nuclear energy systems. (E) Reducing the environmental impact of activities relating to nuclear energy. (F) Supporting technology transfer from the National Laboratories to the private sector. (G) Enabling the private sector to partner with the National Laboratories to demonstrate novel reactor concepts for the purpose of resolving technical uncertainty associated with the objectives described in subparagraphs (A) through (F). (b) Definitions In this subtitle: (1) Advanced nuclear reactor The term advanced nuclear reactor (A) a nuclear fission reactor with significant improvements over the most recent generation of nuclear fission reactors, which may include— (i) inherent safety features; (ii) lower waste yields; (iii) greater fuel utilization; (iv) superior reliability; (v) resistance to proliferation; (vi) increased thermal efficiency; and (vii) the ability to integrate into electric and nonelectric applications; or (B) a nuclear fusion reactor. (2) Commission The term Commission (3) Fast neutron The term fast neutron (4) National Laboratory (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term National Laboratory (B) Limitation With respect to the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the Sandia National Laboratories, the term National Laboratory (5) Neutron flux The term neutron flux (6) Neutron source The term neutron source (A) research on materials sciences and nuclear physics; and (B) testing of advanced materials, nuclear fuels, and other related components for reactor systems. . (b) Nuclear energy research programs (1) In general Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16272 (A) by striking subsection (c); and (B) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively. (2) Conforming amendment Section 641(b)(1) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16021(b)(1) section 942(d) section 952(c) (c) Advanced fuel cycle initiative Section 953(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16273(a) , acting through the Director of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, (d) University nuclear science and engineering support Section 954(d)(4) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16274(d)(4) as part of a taking into consideration effort that emphasizes that emphasize (e) Department of Energy civilian nuclear infrastructure and facilities Section 955 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16275 (1) by striking subsections (c) and (d); and (2) by adding at the end the following: (c) Versatile neutron source (1) Mission need (A) In general Not later than December 31, 2017, the Secretary shall determine the mission need for a versatile reactor-based fast neutron source, which shall operate as a national user facility. (B) Consultations required In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consult with the private sector, institutions of higher education, the National Laboratories, and relevant Federal agencies to ensure that the user facility described in subparagraph (A) will meet the research needs of the largest practicable majority of prospective users. (2) Establishment As soon as practicable after determining the mission need under paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a detailed plan for the establishment of the user facility. (3) Facility requirements (A) Capabilities The Secretary shall ensure that the user facility will provide, at a minimum, the following capabilities: (i) Fast neutron spectrum irradiation capability. (ii) Capacity for upgrades to accommodate new or expanded research needs. (B) Considerations In carrying out the plan submitted under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall consider the following: (i) Capabilities that support experimental high-temperature testing. (ii) Providing a source of fast neutrons at a neutron flux, higher than that at which current research facilities operate, sufficient to enable research for an optimal base of prospective users. (iii) Maximizing irradiation flexibility and irradiation volume to accommodate as many concurrent users as possible. (iv) Capabilities for irradiation with neutrons of a lower energy spectrum. (v) Multiple loops for fuels and materials testing in different coolants. (vi) Additional pre-irradiation and post-irradiation examination capabilities. (vii) Lifetime operating costs and lifecycle costs. (4) Deadline for establishment The Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, complete construction of, and approve the start of operations for, the user facility by not later than December 31, 2025. (5) Reporting The Secretary shall include in the annual budget request of the Department an explanation for any delay in the progress of the Department in completing the user facility by the deadline described in paragraph (4). (6) Coordination The Secretary shall leverage the best practices for management, construction, and operation of national user facilities from the Office of Science. . (f) Security of nuclear facilities Section 956 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16276 , acting through the Director of the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology, (g) High-Performance computation and supportive research Section 957 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16277 957. High-performance computation and supportive research (a) Modeling and simulation The Secretary shall carry out a program to enhance the capabilities of the United States to develop new reactor technologies through high-performance computation modeling and simulation techniques. (b) Coordination In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall coordinate with relevant Federal agencies as described by the National Strategic Computing Initiative established by Executive Order 13702 (80 Fed. Reg. 46177 (July 29, 2015)), while taking into account the following objectives: (1) Using expertise from the private sector, institutions of higher education, and the National Laboratories to develop computational software and capabilities that prospective users may access to accelerate research and development of advanced nuclear reactor systems and reactor systems for space exploration. (2) Developing computational tools to simulate and predict nuclear phenomena that may be validated through physical experimentation. (3) Increasing the utility of the research infrastructure of the Department by coordinating with the Advanced Scientific Computing Research program within the Office of Science. (4) Leveraging experience from the Energy Innovation Hub for Modeling and Simulation. (5) Ensuring that new experimental and computational tools are accessible to relevant research communities, including private sector entities engaged in nuclear energy technology development. (c) Supportive research activities The Secretary shall consider support for additional research activities to maximize the utility of the research facilities of the Department, including physical processes— (1) to simulate degradation of materials and behavior of fuel forms; and (2) for validation of computational tools. . (h) Enabling nuclear energy innovation Subtitle E of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16271 958. Enabling nuclear energy innovation (a) National reactor innovation center There is authorized a program to enable the testing and demonstration of reactor concepts to be proposed and funded, in whole or in part, by the private sector. (b) Technical expertise In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall leverage the technical expertise of relevant Federal agencies and the National Laboratories in order to minimize the time required to enable construction and operation of privately funded experimental reactors at National Laboratories or other Department-owned sites. (c) Objectives The reactors described in subsection (b) shall operate to meet the following objectives: (1) Enabling physical validation of advanced nuclear reactor concepts. (2) Resolving technical uncertainty and increasing practical knowledge relevant to safety, resilience, security, and functionality of advanced nuclear reactor concepts. (3) General research and development to improve nascent technologies. (d) Sharing technical expertise In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Chairman of the Commission in order to share technical expertise and knowledge through— (1) enabling the testing and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactor concepts to be proposed and funded, in whole or in part, by the private sector; (2) operating a database to store and share data and knowledge relevant to nuclear science and engineering between Federal agencies and the private sector; (3) developing and testing electric and nonelectric integration and energy conversion systems relevant to advanced nuclear reactors; (4) leveraging expertise from the Commission with respect to safety analysis; and (5) enabling technical staff of the Commission to actively observe and learn about technologies developed under the program. (e) Agency coordination The Chairman of the Commission and the Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding the following: (1) Ensuring that— (A) the Department has sufficient technical expertise to support the timely research, development, demonstration, and commercial application by the civilian nuclear industry of safe and innovative advanced nuclear reactor technology; and (B) the Commission has sufficient technical expertise to support the evaluation of applications for licenses, permits, and design certifications and other requests for regulatory approval for advanced nuclear reactors. (2) The use of computers and software codes to calculate the behavior and performance of advanced nuclear reactors based on mathematical models of the physical behavior of advanced nuclear reactors. (3) Ensuring that— (A) the Department maintains and develops the facilities necessary to enable the timely research, development, demonstration, and commercial application by the civilian nuclear industry of safe and innovative reactor technology; and (B) the Commission has access to the facilities described in subparagraph (A), as needed. (f) Reporting requirements (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act of 2017 (2) Contents The report submitted under paragraph (1) shall address— (A) the safety review and oversight capabilities of the Department, including options to leverage expertise from the Commission and the National Laboratories; (B) options to regulate privately proposed and funded experimental reactors hosted by the Department; (C) potential sites capable of hosting privately funded experimental advanced nuclear reactors; (D) the efficacy of the available contractual mechanisms of the Department to partner with the private sector and Federal agencies, including cooperative research and development agreements, strategic partnership projects, and agreements for commercializing technology; (E) the liability of the Federal Government with respect to the disposal of low-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, or high-level radioactive waste (as those terms are defined in section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10101 (F) the impact on the aggregate inventory in the United States of low-level radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, or high-level radioactive waste (as those terms are defined in section 2 of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 ( 42 U.S.C. 10101 (G) potential cost structures relating to physical security, decommissioning, liability, and other long-term project costs; and (H) other challenges or considerations identified by the Secretary. (3) Updates Once every 2 years, the Secretary shall update relevant provisions of the report submitted under paragraph (1) and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the update. (g) Savings clauses (1) Licensing requirement Nothing in this section authorizes the Secretary or any person to construct or operate a nuclear reactor for the purpose of demonstrating the suitability for commercial application of the nuclear reactor unless licensed by the Commission in accordance with section 202 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 ( 42 U.S.C. 5842 (2) Financial protection Any activity carried out under this section that involves the risk of public liability shall be subject to the financial protection or indemnification requirements of section 170 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 ( 42 U.S.C. 2210 Price-Anderson Act . (i) Budget plan Subtitle E of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( 42 U.S.C. 16271 959. Budget plan (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act of 2017 (b) Budget plan alternative 1 One of the budget plans submitted under subsection (a) shall assume constant annual funding for 10 years at the appropriated level for the civilian nuclear energy research and development of the Department for fiscal year 2016. (c) Budget plan alternative 2 One of the budget plans submitted under subsection (a) shall be an unconstrained budget. (d) Inclusions Each alternative budget plan submitted under subsection (a) shall include— (1) a prioritized list of the programs, projects, and activities of the Department to best support the development of advanced nuclear reactor technologies; (2) realistic budget requirements for the Department to implement sections 955(c), 957, and 958; and (3) the justification of the Department for continuing or terminating existing civilian nuclear energy research and development programs. . (j) Conforming amendments The table of contents for the Energy Policy Act of 2005 is amended by striking the item relating to section 957 and inserting the following: 957. High-performance computation and supportive research. 958. Enabling nuclear energy innovation. 959. Budget plan. .

Summary: Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act of 2017 This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise the objectives of the civilian nuclear energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs of the Department of Energy (DOE) to emphasize research infrastructure and private sector participation. By December 31, 2017, DOE shall determine the mission need for a versatile reactor-based fast neutron source, which shall operate as a national user facility. DOE shall carry out a program for enhancing the capability to develop new reactor technologies through high-performance computation modeling and simulation techniques. DOE shall also carry out a program to: (1) enable the testing and demonstration of reactor concepts proposed and funded by the private sector, and (2) leverage the technical expertise of relevant federal agencies and national laboratories to minimize the time required to enable construction and operation of privately funded experimental reactors at national laboratories or other DOE-owned sites. Within 1 year of this bill's enactment, DOE must submit to Congress 2 specified alternative 10-year budget plans for civilian nuclear energy research and development by the DOE.