I 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8611 
To require the President develop a national strategy for utilizing microreactors 
to assist with natural disaster response efforts, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 29, 2022 
Mr. DONALDS (for himself, Mr. MICHAEL F. DOYLE of Pennsylvania, and Mr. 
FLEISCHMANN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the 
Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Armed Services, for a period 
to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consider-
ation of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
concerned 
A BILL 
To require the President develop a national strategy for 
utilizing microreactors to assist with natural disaster re-
sponse efforts, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National Strategy to 
Utilize Microreactors for Natural Disaster Response Ef-
forts Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. FINDINGS; SENSE OF CONGRESS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds that— 
(1) natural disasters often cause loss of life, 
human suffering, loss of income, and property loss 
and damage; 
(2) natural disasters often disrupt the normal 
functioning of governments and communities and 
adversely affect individuals and families with great 
severity; and 
(3) special measures, designed to assist with 
and supplement natural disaster response efforts, 
such as replacing the wide utilization of diesel gen-
erators with microreactors when responding to the 
impacts of a natural disaster, are necessary and 
worthwhile for the wellbeing of the United States. 
(b) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Con-
gress that Congress should support the utilization of nu-
clear energy, with a priority for nuclear energy generated 
by microreactors, during natural disaster response efforts 
because of the following considerations: 
(1) Nuclear energy generated by a microreactor 
provides a safe form of consistent and reliable elec-
tricity that is generally sought when responding to 
the impacts of natural disasters. 
(2) Nuclear energy that is generated by micro-
reactors— 
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(A) is the cleanest, rapidly deployable 
source of energy available that can provide un-
interrupted power to assist with natural dis-
aster response efforts; and 
(B) can be used to augment diesel-gen-
erated power during national disaster response 
efforts. 
(3) The generation of electricity from micro-
reactors emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions than 
the generation of electricity from other sources of 
electricity. 
(4) Microreactors can be easily transported and 
carried by aircraft, semi-trucks, or shipping vessels 
to timely provide electricity upon demand to an area 
that is impacted by a natural disaster. 
(5) Microreactors can be operated autono-
mously, which avoids the need for on-site operators 
in an area that is impacted by a natural disaster. 
(6) Microreactors can be operated for several 
years without being refueled, which avoids logistical 
challenges associated with refueling other power 
sources, including diesel generators, in an area that 
is impacted by a natural disaster. 
(7) With approval by the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, microreactors can be— 
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(A) mass produced in factories around the 
United States; and 
(B) mass deployed to assist with natural 
disaster response efforts. 
(8) Nuclear energy generated by a microreactor 
can be used to help restore electrical grids by pro-
viding temporary power and spot generation for crit-
ical electricity generating facilities while grid repairs 
take place. 
(9) Microreactors can— 
(A) power lifesaving and life-sustaining fa-
cilities, such as hospitals; 
(B) power mass transit systems and water 
quality treatment plants; 
(C) power large pumps that are often used 
to remove water from an impacted area; and 
(D) support the operation of local, State, 
and Federal facilities in the event that a nat-
ural disaster severely impacts such facilities and 
results in the loss of electricity for such facili-
ties. 
(10) After providing electricity to an area that 
is impacted by a natural disaster, microreactors can 
be easily transported out of the area to other loca-
tions where they are needed or to standby storage 
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locations until deployment to assist with future nat-
ural disaster response efforts. 
SEC. 3. DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL STRATEGY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall, in consulta-
tion with the Administrator of the Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, the Secretary of Energy, the Chief 
of the National Guard Bureau, the Assistant Secretary of 
the Office of Nuclear Energy of the Department of En-
ergy, the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and 
Engineering, the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the 
Office of Reactor Fleet and Advanced Reactor Deployment 
of the Department of Energy, develop a national strategy 
to utilize microreactors to assist with natural disaster re-
sponse efforts. 
(b) SUBMISSION TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 
year after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 
2 years thereafter, the President shall submit to the ap-
propriate congressional committees a comprehensive na-
tional strategy developed under subsection (a). 
(c) CONTENTS OF NATIONAL STRATEGY.—A national 
strategy developed under subsection (a) shall include the 
following: 
(1) EVALUATION OF EXISTING DIESEL DEPLOY-
MENT EFFORTS.—An assessment of the effectiveness 
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of utilizing diesel generators to assist with natural 
disaster response efforts, which such assessment 
shall include— 
(A) information on the current use of die-
sel generators to assist with natural disaster re-
sponse efforts, including— 
(i) the prevalence of deploying diesel 
generators around the United States as the 
sole power source to assist with natural 
disaster response efforts; 
(ii) the average number of diesel gen-
erators deployed in natural disaster re-
sponse efforts based on the type of natural 
disaster, the severity of the natural dis-
aster, and the location of the natural dis-
aster; 
(iii) where Federal, State, and local 
governments store diesel generators; 
(iv) how diesel generators are trans-
ported to areas affected by a natural dis-
aster; 
(v) any logistical concerns with refuel-
ing diesel generators over an extended pe-
riod of time; 
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(vi) the potential to utilize accessory 
equipment that is traditionally connected 
to diesel generators to help provide elec-
tricity to the area in need; and 
(vii) any other information that is 
necessary to understand the role of diesel 
generators used to assist with natural dis-
aster response efforts; 
(B) how the effect on the environment of 
utilizing diesel generators to assist with natural 
disaster response efforts compares to the esti-
mated effect on the environment of utilizing 
microreactors to assist with the same natural 
disaster response efforts; and 
(C) the concerns to public safety when de-
ploying diesel generators in natural disaster re-
sponse efforts. 
(2) GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND PRIORITIES.—A 
comprehensive, research-based, and long-term dis-
cussion of goals, objectives, and priorities for uti-
lizing microreactors instead of diesel generators to 
assist with natural disaster response efforts. 
(3) DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE ANALYSIS.—An 
analysis of— 
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(A) how the efforts of the Department of 
Defense to develop microreactor technology for 
operational uses could be used to inform the de-
velopment of microreactors to assist with nat-
ural disaster response efforts, including any 
recommendations and additional direction that 
may be necessary for such expedited deploy-
ment; 
(B) how the Department of Defense can 
most effectively translate and implement the 
lessons learned from its operations in the field 
to assist with natural disaster response efforts, 
including how operations in the field related to 
microreactors can be used to answer broad 
questions for the nuclear industry and for fu-
ture issues relating to fuel reliability, energy 
supply chain issues, reducing diesel convoy cau-
salities, and supporting other global humani-
tarian needs; and 
(C) whether a demonstration program for 
microreactors is needed prior to deploying 
microreactors for natural disaster response ef-
forts, based on the analysis provided by sub-
paragraphs (A) and (B). 
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(4) RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR
THE
NUCLEAR 
REGULATORY
COMMISSION.—Recommendations on 
how the Nuclear Regulatory Commission may expe-
dite— 
(A) the approval of designs for microreac-
tors; and 
(B) issuing licenses for the utilization, 
transportation, and operation of microreactors 
in rapid deployment scenarios, such as natural 
disaster response efforts. 
(5) 
UTILIZING
FEASIBILITY
STUDIES.—An 
analysis of available academic literature and studies, 
including site feasibility studies, to identify high risk 
areas that are prone to natural disasters that should 
be prioritized during emergency planning. 
(6) STRATEGIC
CONSIDERATIONS
WHEN
DE-
PLOYING MICROREACTORS.—An assessment of var-
ious strategic considerations to improve the effi-
ciency, timeliness, and cost-effectiveness of deploying 
microreactors to assist with natural disaster re-
sponse efforts, including— 
(A) whether the Department of Defense, 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
or any other government entity should build, 
own, or operate microreactors that are used to 
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assist with natural disaster response efforts, in-
cluding whether it would be viable to lease 
microreactors from private industry and wheth-
er it would be viable to facilitate public-private 
partnerships to find cost effective options to 
utilize microreactors for natural disaster re-
sponse efforts; 
(B) the recommended number of individ-
uals charged with the usage, maintenance, and 
upkeep of the microreactors, including the rec-
ommended qualifications, training requirements, 
availability requirements, and oversight respon-
sibility of such individuals; 
(C) the number of microreactors needed, 
initially and in the long-term, to effectively re-
spond to a natural disaster based on past nat-
ural disaster trends and the specific geographic 
location of the area; 
(D) where microreactors used to assist 
with natural disaster response efforts would be 
stored, including information on— 
(i) how different microreactor storage 
locations may affect swift and economically 
feasible natural disaster response efforts; 
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(ii) the feasibility of utilizing already- 
built facilities instead of constructing new 
microreactor storage facilities; 
(iii) the cost of constructing new 
microreactor storage facilities; 
(iv) how to properly store the micro-
reactor when not being utilized for natural 
disaster response efforts; and 
(v) potential storage locations, such 
as— 
(I) the Strategic Alliance for 
FLEX Emergency Response locations 
in Memphis, Tennessee and Phoenix, 
Arizona; and 
(II) 
Department 
of 
Defense 
bases; 
(E) how to maintain a microreactor and 
replace, store, and dispose of fuel used by a 
microreactor, including whether public-private 
partnerships may be used to assist with such 
maintenance, replacement, storage, and dis-
posal; 
(F) when a diesel generator will suffice in 
the event of a natural disaster of limited pro-
portions, in comparison to utilizing microreac-
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tors to assist with natural disaster response ef-
forts; 
(G) which States and territories and pos-
sessions of the United States that are prone to 
natural disasters, such as hurricanes, should be 
prioritized when initially selecting locations to 
deploy microreactors to assist with natural dis-
aster response efforts; 
(H) the methods, capabilities, and costs as-
sociated with transporting microreactors to 
areas that were or may be impacted by natural 
disasters; 
(I) any other strategic considerations that 
should be taken into account before deploying 
microreactors to assist with natural disaster re-
sponse efforts; 
(J) how to integrate microreactors into ex-
isting electrical grids in emergency situations, 
including how grid connection points, microgrid 
limits, site load limits, existing infrastructure, 
and the standard process for grid interconnec-
tions may impact the integration of microreac-
tors into existing electrical grid; 
(K) whether microreactors will be suscep-
tible to cyberattacks, including whether autono-
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mous control will impact the microreactor’s 
cyberattack susceptibility and what systems or 
microreactor designs would be ideal for com-
bating such cyberattacks during a natural dis-
aster response effort; and 
(L) how other uses of microreactors, such 
as utilizing microreactors for various mining ef-
forts, could impact the other considerations in 
this subsection. 
(7) DEPLOYMENT
CHALLENGES
AND
BAR-
RIERS.—An assessment of— 
(A) the challenges and barriers to deploy-
ing microreactors to assist with natural disaster 
response efforts; and 
(B) solutions to address each such chal-
lenge and barrier. 
(8) REVIEW OF AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 
LEGISLATION.— 
(A) REVIEW.—A review of existing law 
that can be used to ease the burden of utilizing 
microreactors to assist with natural disaster re-
sponse efforts, including the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), the Energy Policy Act 
of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801 et seq.), the Atomic 
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Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), 
the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Moderniza-
tion Act (42 U.S.C. 2215 note), and any other 
relevant law. 
(B) 
RECOMMENDATIONS.—Recommenda-
tions for legislation to— 
(i) assist with— 
(I) deploying microreactors to as-
sist with natural disaster response ef-
forts; 
(II) the maintenance and upkeep 
of such microreactors; and 
(III) the initial and long-term 
storage of such microreactors; and 
(ii) pay for the activities described in 
subclauses (I) through (III) of clause (i). 
(9) PARTNERSHIPS TO ENHANCE NATURAL DIS-
ASTER
RESPONSE
EFFORTS.—An 
assessment 
about— 
(A) the current status of any collaboration 
between the National Guard, Federal Emer-
gency Management Agency, and the Army 
Corps of Engineers during natural disaster re-
sponse efforts; 
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(B) the specific roles of each entity speci-
fied in subparagraph (A) (disaggregated, in the 
case of the National Guard, by State and by 
military department) during a natural disaster 
response effort, and their respective roles when 
participating in natural disaster response ef-
forts; 
(C) the current emergency responsibilities 
of the Department of Energy and the Nuclear 
Regulatory Commission that relate to deploying 
microreactors during natural disaster response 
efforts; 
(D) the potential opportunity to set up an 
annual listening group session or consortium to 
provide all the necessary information needed to 
deploy microreactors to assist with natural dis-
aster response efforts and to ensure a smooth 
transition from the use of diesel generators to 
the use of microreactors to assist with natural 
disaster response efforts; 
(E) how the Emergency Management As-
sistance Compact, consented to by Congress in 
the joint resolution entitled ‘‘Joint resolution 
granting the consent of Congress to the Emer-
gency Management Assistance Compact’’ (Pub-
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lic Law 104–321), can be utilized to allow 
States to allocate their unused microreactors to 
other States that are in need of microreactors 
to assist with natural disaster response efforts; 
and 
(F) how to improve the collaboration be-
tween Federal, State, and local government en-
tities and private entities when deploying micro-
reactors to assist with natural disaster response 
efforts. 
(10) UTILIZING
MICROREACTORS
TO
CHARGE 
ELECTRIC VEHICLES.—Recommendations on how to 
utilize microreactors as charging stations for electric 
vehicles in the event of a mass evacuation resulting 
from a natural disaster, including recommendations 
on— 
(A) how to deploy microreactors to charge 
electric vehicles before an evacuation; 
(B) the primary transportation corridors 
that would be used for such a mass evacuation; 
(C) how many microreactors would be 
needed to charge electric vehicles during such a 
mass evacuation, based on the size and popu-
lation of the State in which the mass evacuation 
occurs; 
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(D) the best placement of microreactors 
throughout the primary transportation corridors 
to ensure a smooth electric vehicle charging 
process and subsequent evacuation; 
(E) any potential public-private partner-
ships that would be useful in utilizing micro-
reactors to charge electric vehicles during a 
mass evacuation, including an estimate of the 
costs that would be associated with establishing 
these partnerships; 
(F) how to— 
(i) transport microreactors to mass 
evacuation locations along primary trans-
portation corridors for purposes of charg-
ing electric vehicles; and 
(ii) pay for such transportation; and 
(G) any other topic related to subpara-
graphs (A) through (F). 
(11) DEPLOYING MICROREACTORS TO UNITED 
STATES
TERRITORIES
AND
POSSESSIONS.—Rec-
ommendations on deploying microreactors to terri-
tories and possessions of the United States to assist 
with natural disaster response efforts. 
(12) USING MILITARY EQUIPMENT WITH NU-
CLEAR CAPABILITIES.—Recommendations on how to, 
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in the event of a natural disaster and when the de-
ployment of a microreactor is not timely or ideal for 
the circumstance, deploy military equipment of the 
United States with nuclear capabilities, such as nu-
clear aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines, to 
provide temporary electricity to an area severely im-
pacted by a natural disaster. 
(13) BUDGET PRIORITIES.—A multiyear budget 
plan that identifies the necessary resources to suc-
cessfully carry out the recommendations and imple-
ment any lessons learned from the assessments and 
other analysis under this subsection. 
(14) TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS.—An anal-
ysis of current and developing ways to leverage exist-
ing and innovative technology to improve the effec-
tiveness of efforts to deploy microreactors to assist 
with natural disaster response efforts. 
(15) USING
INNOVATIVE
TOOLS
TO
PREDICT 
NATURAL DISASTERS.—A description of how to uti-
lize innovative technology, such as artificial intel-
ligence and predictive meteorological tools, to pre-
pare for the utilization of microreactors before a 
natural disaster. 
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS. 
In this Act— 
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(1) APPROPRIATE
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMIT-
TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com-
mittees’’ means— 
(A) the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce, the Committee on Armed Services, the 
Committee on Oversight and Reform, and the 
Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
of the House of Representatives; and 
(B) the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources, the Committee on Armed Services, 
the Committee on Environment and Public 
Works, and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(2) LOCAL
GOVERNMENT.—The term ‘‘local 
government’’ has the meaning given such term in 
section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief 
and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5122). 
(3) MICROREACTOR.—The term ‘‘microreactor’’ 
means a nuclear reactor, including a portable nu-
clear reactor, that has an electricity generating ca-
pacity of not more than 20 megawatts of thermal 
energy. 
(4) NATURAL DISASTER.—The term ‘‘natural 
disaster’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘Major 
disaster’’ in section 102 of the Robert T. Stafford 
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