H. R. 6—203
(5) Reactor and balance-of-plant design, engineering, safety 
analysis, and qualification. 
(b) PROJECT PHASES.—The Project shall be conducted in the 
following phases: 
(1) FIRST PROJECT PHASE.—A first project phase shall be 
conducted to— 
(A) select and validate the appropriate technology 
under subsection (a)(1); 
(B) carry out enabling research, development, and dem-
onstration activities on technologies and components under 
paragraphs (2) through (4) of subsection (a); 
(C) determine whether it is appropriate to combine 
electricity generation and hydrogen production in a single 
prototype nuclear reactor and plant; and 
(D) carry out initial design activities for a prototype 
nuclear reactor and plant, including development of design 
methods and safety analytical methods and studies under 
subsection (a)(5). 
(2) SECOND PROJECT PHASE.—A second project phase shall 
be conducted to— 
(A) continue appropriate activities under paragraphs 
(1) through (5) of subsection (a); 
(B) develop, through a competitive process, a final 
design for the prototype nuclear reactor and plant; 
(C) apply for licenses to construct and operate the 
prototype nuclear reactor from the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission; and 
(D) construct and start up operations of the prototype 
nuclear reactor and its associated hydrogen or electricity 
production facilities. 
(c) PROJECT REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall ensure that the 
Project is structured so as to maximize the technical inter-
change and transfer of technologies and ideas into the Project 
from other sources of relevant expertise, including— 
(A) the nuclear power industry, including nuclear 
powerplant construction firms, particularly with respect 
to issues associated with plant design, construction, and 
operational and safety issues; 
(B) the chemical processing industry, particularly with 
respect to issues relating to— 
(i) the use of process energy for production of 
hydrogen; and 
(ii) the integration of technologies developed by 
the Project into chemical processing environments; and 
(C) international efforts in areas related to the Project, 
particularly with respect to hydrogen production tech-
nologies. 
(2) INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary shall seek inter-
national cooperation, participation, and financial contribu-
tions for the Project. 
(B) ASSISTANCE FROM INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS.—The 
Secretary, through the Idaho National Laboratory, may 
contract for assistance from specialists or facilities from 
member countries of the Generation IV International
H. R. 6—204
Forum, the Russian Federation, or other international part-
ners if the specialists or facilities provide access to cost-
effective and relevant skills or test capabilities. 
(C) PARTNER NATIONS.—The Project may involve dem-
onstration of selected project objectives in a partner 
country. 
(D) GENERATION IV INTERNATIONAL FORUM.—The Sec-
retary shall ensure that international activities of the 
Project are coordinated with the Generation IV Inter-
national Forum. 
(3) REVIEW BY NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Nuclear Energy Research 
Advisory Committee of the Department (referred to in this 
paragraph as the ‘‘NERAC’’) shall— 
(i) review all program plans for the Project and 
all progress under the Project on an ongoing basis; 
and 
(ii) ensure that important scientific, technical, 
safety, and program management issues receive atten-
tion in the Project and by the Secretary. 
(B) ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE.—The NERAC shall supple-
ment the expertise of the NERAC or appoint subpanels 
to incorporate into the review by the NERAC the relevant 
sources of expertise described under paragraph (1). 
(C) INITIAL REVIEW.—Not later than 180 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the NERAC shall— 
(i) review existing program plans for the Project 
in light of the recommendations of the document enti-
tled ‘‘Design Features and Technology Uncertainties 
for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant,’’ dated June 
30, 2004; and 
(ii) address any recommendations of the document 
not incorporated in program plans for the Project. 
(D) FIRST PROJECT PHASE REVIEW.—On a determination 
by the Secretary that the appropriate activities under the 
first project phase under subsection (b)(1) are nearly com-
plete, the Secretary shall request the NERAC to conduct 
a comprehensive review of the Project and to report to 
the Secretary the recommendation of the NERAC con-
cerning whether the Project is ready to proceed to the 
second project phase under subsection (b)(2). 
(E) TRANSMITTAL OF REPORTS TO CONGRESS.—Not later 
than 60 days after receiving any report from the NERAC 
related to the Project, the Secretary shall submit to the 
appropriate committees of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives a copy of the report, along with any addi-
tional views of the Secretary that the Secretary may con-
sider appropriate. 
SEC. 644. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with section 202 of the Energy 
Reorganization Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5842), the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission shall have licensing and regulatory authority for any 
reactor authorized under this subtitle. 
(b) LICENSING STRATEGY.—Not later than 3 years after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary and the Chairman
H. R. 6—205
of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall jointly submit to the 
appropriate committees of the Senate and the House of Representa-
tives a licensing strategy for the prototype nuclear reactor, 
including— 
(1) a description of ways in which current licensing require-
ments relating to light-water reactors need to be adapted for 
the types of prototype nuclear reactor being considered by the 
Project; 
(2) a description of analytical tools that the Nuclear Regu-
latory Commission will have to develop to independently verify 
designs and performance characteristics of components, equip-
ment, systems, or structures associated with the prototype 
nuclear reactor; 
(3) other research or development activities that may be 
required on the part of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission 
in order to review a license application for the prototype nuclear 
reactor; and 
(4) an estimate of the budgetary requirements associated 
with the licensing strategy. 
(c) ONGOING INTERACTION.—The Secretary shall seek the active 
participation of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission throughout 
the duration of the Project to— 
(1) avoid design decisions that will compromise adequate 
safety margins in the design of the reactor or impair the accessi-
bility of nuclear safety-related components of the prototype 
reactor for inspection and maintenance; 
(2) develop tools to facilitate inspection and maintenance 
needed for safety purposes; and 
(3) develop risk-based criteria for any future commercial 
development of a similar reactor architectures. 
SEC. 645. PROJECT TIMELINES AND AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIA-
TIONS. 
(a) TARGET DATE TO COMPLETE THE FIRST PROJECT PHASE.—
Not later than September 30, 2011, the Secretary shall— 
(1) select the technology to be used by the Project for 
high-temperature hydrogen production and the initial design 
parameters for the prototype nuclear plant; or 
(2) submit to Congress a report establishing an alternative 
date for making the selection. 
(b) DESIGN COMPETITION FOR SECOND PROJECT PHASE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the Idaho 
National Laboratory, shall fund not more than 4 teams for 
not more than 2 years to develop detailed proposals for competi-
tive evaluation and selection of a single proposal for a final 
design of the prototype nuclear reactor. 
(2) SYSTEMS INTEGRATION.—The Secretary may structure 
Project activities in the second project phase to use the lead 
industrial partner of the competitively selected design under 
paragraph (1) in a systems integration role for final design 
and construction of the Project. 
(c) TARGET DATE TO COMPLETE PROJECT CONSTRUCTION.—Not 
later than September 30, 2021, the Secretary shall— 
(1) complete construction and begin operations of the proto-
type nuclear reactor and associated energy or hydrogen facili-
ties; or