Title: Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act
This bill expands programs at the Department of Energy for nuclear energy research, development, demonstration, and commercialization.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6097 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 6097

   To provide for a program of nuclear energy research, development, 
     demonstration, and commercialization, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 5, 2020

Mr. Lamb (for himself and Mr. Newhouse) introduced the following bill; 
 which was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
   To provide for a program of nuclear energy research, development, 
     demonstration, and commercialization, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Nuclear Energy Research and 
Development Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

     Section 951(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
16271(b)) is amended--
            (1) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(1) Advanced nuclear reactor.--The term `advanced nuclear 
        reactor' means--
                    ``(A) a nuclear fission reactor, including a 
                prototype plant (as defined in sections 50.2 and 52.1 
                of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
                regulations)), with significant improvements compared 
                to reactors operating on the date of enactment of the 
                Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act, including 
                improvements such as--
                            ``(i) additional inherent safety features;
                            ``(ii) lower waste yields;
                            ``(iii) improved fuel performance;
                            ``(iv) increased tolerance to loss of fuel 
                        cooling;
                            ``(v) enhanced reliability;
                            ``(vi) increased proliferation resistance;
                            ``(vii) increased thermal efficiency;
                            ``(viii) reduced consumption of cooling 
                        water and other environmental impacts;
                            ``(ix) the ability to integrate into 
                        electric applications and nonelectric 
                        applications;
                            ``(x) modular sizes to allow for deployment 
                        that corresponds with the demand for 
                        electricity;
                            ``(xi) operational flexibility to respond 
                        to changes in demand for electricity and to 
                        complement integration with intermittent 
                        renewable energy; or
                            ``(xii) improved resilience; and
                    ``(B) a fusion reactor.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).''.

SEC. 3. NUCLEAR ENERGY RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DEMONSTRATION, AND 
              COMMERCIAL APPLICATION PROGRAMS.

    (a) Reactor Concepts Research, Development, and Demonstration.--
Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16272) is 
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 952. REACTOR CONCEPTS RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DEMONSTRATION, AND 
              COMMERCIAL APPLICATION.

    ``(a) Sustainability Program for Light Water Reactors.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
        of research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
        application to support existing operating nuclear power plants 
        which shall address technologies to modernize and improve, with 
        respect to such plants--
                    ``(A) reliability;
                    ``(B) capacity;
                    ``(C) component aging;
                    ``(D) safety;
                    ``(E) physical security and security costs;
                    ``(F) plant lifetime;
                    ``(G) operations and maintenance costs, including 
                by utilizing risk-informed systems analysis;
                    ``(H) the ability for plants to operate flexibly;
                    ``(I) nuclear hybrid energy system applications 
                described in subsection (c);
                    ``(J) efficiency;
                    ``(K) environmental impacts; and
                    ``(L) resilience.
            ``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection--
                    ``(A) $55,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
                    ``(B) $57,750,000 for fiscal year 2022;
                    ``(C) $60,637,500 for fiscal year 2023;
                    ``(D) $63,669,375 for fiscal year 2024; and
                    ``(E) $66,852,844 for fiscal year 2025.
    ``(b) Advanced Reactor Technologies.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
        of research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
        application to support advanced reactor technologies.
            ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the program under this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) prioritize designs for advanced nuclear 
                reactors that are proliferation resistant and passively 
                safe, including designs that, compared to reactors 
                operating on the date of enactment of the Nuclear 
                Energy Research and Development Act--
                            ``(i) are economically competitive with 
                        other electric power generation plants;
                            ``(ii) have higher efficiency, lower cost, 
                        less environmental impacts, increased 
                        resilience, and improved safety;
                            ``(iii) use fuels that are proliferation-
                        resistant and have reduced production of high-
                        level waste per unit of output; and
                            ``(iv) use advanced instrumentation and 
                        monitoring systems;
                    ``(B) consult with the Nuclear Regulatory 
                Commission on appropriate metrics to consider for the 
                criteria specified in subparagraph (A);
                    ``(C) support research and development to resolve 
                materials challenges relating to extreme environments, 
                including environments that contain high levels of--
                            ``(i) radiation fluence;
                            ``(ii) temperature;
                            ``(iii) pressure; and
                            ``(iv) corrosion;
                    ``(D) support research and development to aid in 
                the qualification of advanced fuels, including 
                fabrication techniques;
                    ``(E) support activities that address near-term 
                challenges in modeling and simulation to enable 
                accelerated design of and licensing of advanced nuclear 
                reactors, including the identification of tools and 
                methodologies for validating such modeling and 
                simulation efforts;
                    ``(F) develop technologies, including technologies 
                to manage, reduce, or reuse nuclear waste;
                    ``(G) ensure that nuclear research infrastructure 
                is maintained or constructed, including--
                            ``(i) currently operational research 
                        reactors at the National Laboratories and 
                        institutions of higher education;
                            ``(ii) hot cell research facilities;
                            ``(iii) a versatile fast neutron source; 
                        and
                            ``(iv) advanced coolant testing facilities, 
                        including coolants such as lead, sodium, gas, 
                        and molten salt;
                    ``(H) improve scientific understanding of nonlight 
                water coolant physics and chemistry;
                    ``(I) develop advanced sensors and control systems, 
                including the identification of tools and methodologies 
                for validating such sensors and systems;
                    ``(J) investigate advanced manufacturing and 
                advanced construction techniques and materials to 
                reduce the cost of advanced nuclear reactors, including 
                the use of digital twins and of strategies to implement 
                project and construction management best practices, and 
                study the effects of radiation on materials created 
                with these techniques;
                    ``(K) consult with the Administrator of the 
                National Nuclear Security Administration to integrate 
                reactor safeguards and security into design;
                    ``(L) support efforts to reduce any technical 
                barriers that would prevent commercial application of 
                advanced nuclear energy systems; and
                    ``(M) develop various safety analyses and emergency 
                preparedness and response methodologies.
            ``(3) Coordination.--The Secretary shall coordinate with 
        individuals engaged in the private sector and individuals who 
        are experts in nuclear non-proliferation, environmental and 
        public health and safety, and economics to advance the 
        development of various designs of advanced nuclear reactors.
            ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection $55,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2021 through 2025.
    ``(c) Nuclear Hybrid Energy Systems Research, Development, 
Demonstration, and Commercial Application Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a program 
        of research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
        application to develop nuclear hybrid energy systems, composed 
        of 2 or more colocated or jointly operated subsystems of energy 
        generation, energy storage, or other technologies and in which 
        not in which not less than 1 such subsystem is a nuclear energy 
        system, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both the power 
        and nonpower sectors.
            ``(2) Coordination.--In carrying out the program under 
        paragraph (1), the Secretary shall coordinate with relevant 
        program offices within the Department of Energy.
            ``(3) Focus areas.--The program under paragraph (1) may 
        include research, development, demonstration, or commercial 
        application of nuclear hybrid energy systems with respect to--
                    ``(A) desalination of water;
                    ``(B) hydrogen or other fuel production;
                    ``(C) heat for industrial processes;
                    ``(D) district heating;
                    ``(E) heat storage;
                    ``(F) carbon capture, use, utilization, and 
                storage;
                    ``(G) microgrid or island applications;
                    ``(H) integrated systems modeling, analysis, and 
                optimization, inclusive of different configurations of 
                hybrid energy systems; and
                    ``(I) integrated design, planning, and operation of 
                systems with existing infrastructure, including 
                interconnection requirements with the electric grid, as 
                appropriate.
            ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection--
                    ``(A) $52,500,000 for fiscal year 2021;
                    ``(B) $55,125,000 for fiscal year 2022;
                    ``(C) $57,881,250 for fiscal year 2023;
                    ``(D) $60,775,313 for fiscal year 2024; and
                    ``(E) $63,814,078 for fiscal year 2025.''.
    (b) Fuel Cycle Research and Development.--Section 953 of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16273) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 953. FUEL CYCLE RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, DEMONSTRATION, AND 
              COMMERCIAL APPLICATION.

    ``(a) High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium Research, Development, 
Demonstration, and Commercial Application for Advanced Nuclear 
Reactors.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this section:
                    ``(A) High-assay, low-enriched uranium.--The term 
                `high-assay, low-enriched uranium' means uranium with 
                an assay greater than 5 weight percent, but less than 
                20 weight percent, of the uranium-235 isotope.
                    ``(B) High-enriched uranium.--The term `high-
                enriched uranium' means uranium with an assay of 20 
                weight percent or more of the uranium-235 isotope.
            ``(2) Program.--
                    ``(A) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after 
                the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary 
                shall establish a program of research, development, 
                demonstration, and commercial application to make 
                available high-assay, low-enriched uranium for use in 
                civilian advanced nuclear reactors.
                    ``(B) Nuclear fuel ownership.--Uranium made 
                available under this subsection shall remain the 
                property of the Department, which shall be responsible 
                for the storage, use, and disposition of all 
                radioactive waste created by the irradiation, 
                processing, or purification of such uranium, and shall 
                not be deemed to be a sale or transfer of uranium 
                subject to sections 3112 and 3113 of the USEC 
                Privatization Act (42 U.S.C. 2297h-10 and 42 USC 2297h-
                11).
                    ``(C) Goal.--In carrying out the program under this 
                subsection, the Secretary shall demonstrate the 
                capability to produce high-assay, low-enriched uranium, 
                with the goal of having the capability of producing 
                amounts needed to provide a reliable and available 
                supply for advanced nuclear reactors by December 31, 
                2025.
                    ``(D) Factors for consideration.--In carrying out 
                the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
                take into consideration options for providing high-
                assay, low-enriched uranium for use in civilian 
                advanced nuclear reactors under this subsection from a 
                stockpile of uranium owned by the Department or using 
                enrichment technology, prioritizing methods that would 
                produce useable material the quickest, including--
                            ``(i) fuel that--
                                    ``(I) directly meets the needs of 
                                an end user; and
                                    ``(II) has been previously used or 
                                fabricated for another purpose;
                            ``(ii) fuel that can meet the needs of an 
                        end user after removing radioactive or other 
                        contaminants that resulted from a previous use 
                        or fabrication of the fuel for research, 
                        development, demonstration, or deployment 
                        activities of the Department; and
                            ``(iii) fuel from a high-enriched uranium 
                        stockpile, which can be blended with lower 
                        assay uranium to become high-assay, low-
                        enriched uranium to meet the needs of an end 
                        user.
                    ``(E) Selection.--The Secretary shall determine 
                awardees of uranium under this section through a merit-
                based, competitive selection process for use in 
                advanced reactor demonstration projects.
                    ``(F) Limitation.--The Secretary shall not barter 
                or otherwise sell or transfer uranium in any form in 
                exchange for services relating to the final disposition 
                of radioactive waste from uranium that is made 
                available under this subsection.
                    ``(G) Sunset.--The program under this subsection 
                shall terminate on the earlier of--
                            ``(i) January 1, 2035; or
                            ``(ii) 90 days after the date on which 
                        uranium enriched up to, but not equal to, 20 
                        weight percent is available to provide a 
                        reliable and adequate supply for domestic 
                        advanced nuclear reactors in the commercial 
                        market.
            ``(3) Report.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 180 days after 
                the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary 
                shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
                Technology of the House of Representatives and the 
                Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate 
                a report that describes actions proposed to be carried 
                out by the Secretary to enable the availability of 
                high-assay, low-enriched uranium for research, 
                development, demonstration or commercial application 
                under the program under paragraph (2).
                    ``(B) Coordination and stakeholder input.--In 
                developing the report under this subsection, the 
                Secretary shall consult with--
                            ``(i) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission;
                            ``(ii) the National Nuclear Security 
                        Administration;
                            ``(iii) the National Laboratories;
                            ``(iv) institutions of higher education;
                            ``(v) a diverse group of entities from the 
                        nuclear energy industry;
                            ``(vi) a diverse group of technology 
                        developers; and
                            ``(vii) experts in nuclear non-
                        proliferation, environmental and public health 
                        and safety, and economics.
                    ``(C) Cost and schedule estimates.--The report 
                under this subsection shall include estimated costs, 
                budgets, and timeframes for enabling the availability 
                of high-assay, low-enriched uranium for research, 
                development, demonstration, or commercial application.
                    ``(D) Required evaluations.--The report under this 
                subsection shall evaluate--
                            ``(i) the actions required to establish and 
                        carry out the program under paragraph (2) and 
                        the cost of such actions, including with 
                        respect to--
                                    ``(I) proposed preliminary terms 
                                for contracting between the Department 
                                and awardees (including guidelines 
                                defining the roles and responsibilities 
                                between the Department and the 
                                awardee); and
                                    ``(II) the potential to coordinate 
                                with awardees regarding--
                                            ``(aa) fuel fabrication; 
                                        and
                                            ``(bb) fuel transport;
                            ``(ii) the potential sources and fuel forms 
                        available to provide uranium for the program 
                        under paragraph (2);
                            ``(iii) options to coordinate the program 
                        under paragraph (2) with the operation of the 
                        versatile, reactor-based fast neutron source 
                        under section 959A;
                            ``(iv) the ability of uranium producers to 
                        provide materials for advanced nuclear reactor 
                        fuel;
                            ``(v) any associated legal, regulatory, and 
                        policy issues that should be addressed to 
                        enable--
                                    ``(I) the program under paragraph 
                                (2); and
                                    ``(II) the establishment of an 
                                industry capable of providing high-
                                assay, low-enriched uranium;
                            ``(vi) industry needs for high-assay, low-
                        enriched uranium predicted over a 10-year 
                        period, as determined by surveying industry 
                        stakeholders; and
                            ``(vii) research and development plans to 
                        develop testing to provide criticality 
                        benchmark data for the validation of fuel use, 
                        transportation, and storage.
            ``(4) High-assay, low-enriched uranium transportation 
        package research program.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
                program of research, development, demonstration, and 
                commercial application under which the Secretary shall 
                provide financial assistance to entities that the 
                Secretary determines appropriate, on a competitive 
                basis, to establish the capability to safely and 
                securely transport gaseous or solid high-assay, low-
                enriched uranium.
                    ``(B) Requirement.--The focus of the program under 
                this subsection shall be to establish 1 or more high-
                assay, low-enriched uranium transportation packages for 
                commercial application to transport high-assay, low-
                enriched uranium to the various facilities involved in 
                producing or using nuclear fuel containing high-assay, 
                low-enriched uranium, such as--
                            ``(i) fuel processing facilities;
                            ``(ii) fuel fabrication facilities; and
                            ``(iii) nuclear reactors.
            ``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this subsection--
                    ``(A) $31,500,000 for fiscal year 2021;
                    ``(B) $33,075,000 for fiscal year 2022;
                    ``(C) $34,728,750 for fiscal year 2023;
                    ``(D) $36,465,188 for fiscal year 2024; and
                    ``(E) $38,288,447 for fiscal year 2025.
    ``(b) Alternate Fuels Report.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall, after 
consulting with relevant entities, including National Laboratories, 
institutions of higher education, and technology developers, submit to 
the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of 
the Senate a report identifying any and all options for providing 
nuclear material, containing isotopes other than the uranium-235 
isotope, such as uranium-233 and thorium-232 to be used as fuel for 
advanced nuclear reactor research, development, demonstration, or 
commercial application purposes.
    ``(c) Used Nuclear Fuel Research, Development, Demonstration, and 
Commercial Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct an advanced 
        fuel cycle research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
        application program that improves fuel cycle performance and 
        supports a variety of options for used nuclear fuel storage, 
        use, and disposal, including advanced nuclear reactor concepts, 
        while minimizing environmental and public health and safety 
        impacts, including--
                    ``(A) dry cask storage;
                    ``(B) consolidated interim storage;
                    ``(C) deep geological storage and disposal, 
                including mined repository, and other technologies;
                    ``(D) used nuclear fuel transportation;
                    ``(E) integrated waste management systems;
                    ``(F) vitrification;
                    ``(G) fuel recycling and transmutation 
                technologies, including advanced reprocessing 
                technologies and plutonium uranium redox extraction 
                technologies;
                    ``(H) advanced materials to be used in 
                subparagraphs (A) through (G); and
                    ``(I) other areas as determined by the Secretary.
            ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the program under this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) ensure all activities and designs incorporate 
                state of the art safeguards technologies and techniques 
                to reduce risk of proliferation;
                    ``(B) consult with the Administrator of the 
                National Nuclear Security Administration to integrate 
                safeguards and security by design;
                    ``(C) consider the potential benefits and other 
                impacts of those activities for civilian nuclear 
                applications, environmental health and safety, and 
                national security, including consideration of public 
                consent; and
                    ``(D) consider the economic viability of all 
                activities and designs.
            ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this section--
                    ``(A) $91,875,000 for fiscal year 2021;
                    ``(B) $96,468,750 for fiscal year 2022;
                    ``(C) $101,292,188 for fiscal year 2023;
                    ``(D) $106,356,797 for fiscal year 2024; and
                    ``(E) $111,674,637 for fiscal year 2025.
    ``(d) Advanced Fuels.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct an advanced 
        fuels research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
        application program on next-generation light water reactor and 
        advanced reactor fuels that demonstrate the potential for 
        improved--
                    ``(A) performance;
                    ``(B) accident tolerance;
                    ``(C) proliferation resistance;
                    ``(D) use of resources;
                    ``(E) environmental impact; and
                    ``(F) economics.
            ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the program under this 
        subsection, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) focus on the development of advanced 
                technology fuels that offer improved accident-tolerance 
                and economic performance with the goal of initial 
                commercial application by December 31, 2025; and
                    ``(B) cooperate with private industry and with 
                institutions of higher education through the Nuclear 
                Energy University and Integrated Research Projects 
                programs of the Department.
            ``(3) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
        Resources of the Senate a report that describes how the 
        technologies and concepts studied under this program would 
        impact reactor economics, the fuel cycle, operations, safety, 
        proliferation, and the environment.
            ``(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        program under this section--
                    ``(A) $131,880,000 for fiscal year 2021;
                    ``(B) $138,474,000 for fiscal year 2022;
                    ``(C) $145,397,700 for fiscal year 2023;
                    ``(D) $152,667,585 for fiscal year 2024; and
                    ``(E) $160,330,964 for fiscal year 2025.''.
    (c) Nuclear Science and Engineering Support.--
            (1) In general.--Section 954 of the Energy Policy Act of 
        2005 (42 U.S.C. 16274) is amended--
                    (A) in the section heading, by striking 
                ``university nuclear'' and inserting ``nuclear'';
                    (B) in subsection (b)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                        by striking ``this section'' and inserting 
                        ``this subsection''; and
                            (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (1) 
                        through (5) as subparagraphs (A) through (E), 
                        respectively, and indenting appropriately;
                    (C) in subsection (c), by redesignating paragraphs 
                (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) and (B), respectively, 
                and indenting appropriately;
                    (D) in subsection (d)--
                            (i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
                        by striking ``this section'' and inserting 
                        ``this subsection''; and
                            (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (1) 
                        through (4) as subparagraphs (A) through (D), 
                        respectively, and indenting appropriately;
                    (E) in subsection (e), by striking ``this section'' 
                and inserting ``this subsection'';
                    (F) in subsection (f)--
                            (i) by striking ``this section'' and 
                        inserting ``this subsection''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``subsection (b)(2)'' and 
                        inserting ``paragraph (2)(B)'';
                    (G) by redesignating subsections (a) through (d) as 
                paragraphs (1) through (4), respectively, and indenting 
                appropriately;
                    (H) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as 
                paragraphs (7) and (8), respectively;
                    (I) by inserting after paragraph (4) (as so 
                redesignated) the following:
            ``(5) Radiological facilities management.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall carry out a 
                program under which the Secretary shall provide project 
                management, technical support, quality engineering and 
                inspection, and nuclear material handling support to 
                research reactors located at universities.
                    ``(B) 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 program 
                under this paragraph $20,000,000 for each of fiscal 
                years 2021 through 2030.
            ``(6) Nuclear energy university program.--In carrying out 
        the programs under this section, the Department shall allocate 
        20 percent of funds appropriated to nuclear energy research and 
        development programs annually to fund university-led research 
        and university infrastructure projects through an open, 
        competitive solicitation process.'';
                    (J) by inserting before paragraph (1) (as so 
                redesignated) the following:
    ``(a) University Nuclear Science and Engineering Support.--''; and
                    (K) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) Nuclear Energy Apprenticeship Subprogram.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--In carrying out the program under 
        subsection (a), the Secretary shall establish a nuclear energy 
        apprenticeship subprogram under which the Secretary shall 
        competitively award traineeships and apprenticeships in 
        coordination with universities to provide focused, advanced 
        training to meet critical mission needs of the Department, 
        including in industries that are represented by skilled labor 
        unions.
            ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out the subprogram under 
        this subsection, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) encourage appropriate partnerships among 
                National Laboratories, affected universities, and 
                industry; and
                    ``(B) on an annual basis, evaluate the needs of the 
                nuclear energy community to implement traineeships for 
                focused topical areas addressing mission-specific 
                workforce needs.
            ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the 
        subprogram under this subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal 
        years 2021 through 2030.''.
    (d) Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 600) is amended by 
striking the item relating to sections 952 through 954 and inserting 
the following:

``Sec. 952. Reactor concepts research, development, demonstration, and 
                            commercial application.
``Sec. 953. Fuel cycle research, development, demonstration, and 
                            commercial application
``Sec. 954. Nuclear science and engineering support.''.
    (e) University Nuclear Leadership Program.--Section 313 of the 
Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009 (42 U.S.C. 16274a), is amended to read 
as follows:

``SEC. 313. UNIVERSITY NUCLEAR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--In carrying out section 954 of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16274), the Secretary of Energy shall support a 
program to be known as the University Nuclear Leadership Program (in 
this section referred to as the `Program') .
    ``(b) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
        amounts made available to carry out the Program shall be used 
        to provide financial assistance for scholarships, fellowships, 
        and research and development projects at institutions of higher 
        education with respect to research, development, demonstration, 
        and commercial application activities relevant to civilian 
        advanced nuclear reactors including, but not limited to--
                    ``(A) relevant fuel cycle technologies;
                    ``(B) project management; and
                    ``(C) advanced construction, manufacturing, and 
                fabrication methods.
            ``(2) Exception.--Notwithstanding paragraph (1), amounts 
        made available to carry out the Program may be used to provide 
        financial assistance for a scholarship, fellowship, or 
        multiyear research and development project that does not align 
        directly with a programmatic mission of the Department of 
        Energy, if the activity for which assistance is provided would 
        facilitate the maintenance of the discipline of nuclear science 
        or nuclear engineering.
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $15,000,000 to the Secretary of Energy to carry out the 
Program for fiscal year 2021 and each fiscal year thereafter.''.
    (f) Versatile Neutron Source.--Section 955(c) of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16275(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``MISSION 
                need'' and inserting ``AUTHORIZATION''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``determine 
                the mission need'' and inserting ``provide''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(7) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
        authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out to 
        completion the construction of the facility under this 
        section--
                    ``(A) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
                    ``(B) $550,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
                    ``(C) $638,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
                    ``(D) $765,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
                    ``(E) $763,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.''.
    (g) Advanced Nuclear Reactor Research, Development, and 
Demonstration Program.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle E of title IX of the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16271 et seq.) is amended by 
        adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 959A. ADVANCED NUCLEAR REACTOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, 
              DEMONSTRATION, AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATION PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Demonstration Project Defined.--For the purposes of this 
section, the term `demonstration project' means--
            ``(1) an advanced nuclear reactor operated for the purpose 
        of demonstrating the suitability for commercial application of 
        the advanced nuclear reactor--
                    ``(A) as part of the power generation facilities of 
                an electric utility system; or
                    ``(B) in any other manner; or
            ``(2) the operation of one or more experimental advanced 
        nuclear reactors, for the purpose of demonstrating the 
        suitability for commercial application of such advanced nuclear 
        reactors, funded in whole or in part by the private sector, at 
        National Laboratories or other sites owned by the Department of 
        Energy.
    ``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program to 
advance the research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
application of domestic advanced, affordable, nuclear energy 
technologies by--
            ``(1) demonstrating a variety of advanced nuclear reactor 
        technologies that could be used to produce--
                    ``(A) safer, emissions-free power at a lower cost 
                compared to reactors operating on the date of enactment 
                of the Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act;
                    ``(B) heat for community heating, industrial 
                purposes, heat storage, or synthetic fuel production;
                    ``(C) remote or off-grid energy supply; or
                    ``(D) backup or mission-critical power supplies;
            ``(2) identifying research areas that the private sector is 
        unable or unwilling to undertake due to the cost of, or risks 
        associated with, the research; and
            ``(3) facilitating the access of the private sector--
                    ``(A) to Federal research facilities and personnel; 
                and
                    ``(B) to the results of research relating to civil 
                nuclear technology funded by the Federal Government.
    ``(c) Demonstration Projects.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out the program established 
        under subsection (b), the Secretary shall, to the maximum 
        extent practicable--
                    ``(A) enter into agreements to build not fewer than 
                2 advanced nuclear reactors as demonstration projects 
                to be completed not later than December 31, 2027; and
                    ``(B) not later than December 31, 2035, to enter 
                into not fewer than 2, and not more than 5, agreements, 
                to build advanced nuclear reactors as additional 
                operational demonstration projects.
            ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out demonstration projects 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) include, as an evaluation criterion, 
                diversity in designs for the advanced nuclear reactors 
                demonstrated under this section, including designs 
                using various--
                            ``(i) primary coolants;
                            ``(ii) fuel types and compositions; and
                            ``(iii) neutron spectra;
                    ``(B) consider, as an evaluation criterion, the 
                likelihood that the operating cost for future 
                commercial units for each design implemented through a 
                demonstration project under this subsection is cost-
                competitive in the applicable market, including those 
                designs configured as hybrid energy systems as 
                described in section 952(c);
                    ``(C) ensure that each evaluation of candidate 
                technologies for the demonstration projects is 
                completed through an external review of proposed 
                designs, which review shall--
                            ``(i) be conducted by a panel that includes 
                        not fewer than 1 representative that does not 
                        have a conflict of interest of each of--
                                    ``(I) an electric utility;
                                    ``(II) an entity that uses high-
                                temperature process heat for 
                                manufacturing or industrial processing, 
                                such as a petrochemical or synthetic 
                                fuel company, a manufacturer of metals 
                                or chemicals, or a manufacturer of 
                                concrete;
                                    ``(III) an expert from the 
                                investment community;
                                    ``(IV) a project management 
                                practitioner; and
                                    ``(V) an environmental health and 
                                safety expert; and
                            ``(ii) include a review of each 
                        demonstration project under this subsection 
                        which shall include consideration of cost-
                        competitiveness and other value streams, 
                        together with the technology readiness level, 
                        the technical abilities and qualifications of 
                        teams desiring to demonstrate a proposed 
                        advanced nuclear reactor technology, the 
                        capacity to meet cost-share requirements of the 
                        Department, if Federal funding is provided, and 
                        environmental impacts;
                    ``(D) for federally funded demonstration projects, 
                enter into cost-sharing agreements with private sector 
                partners in accordance with section 988 for the conduct 
                of activities relating to the research, development, 
                and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactor designs 
                under the program;
                    ``(E) work with private sector partners to identify 
                potential sites, including Department-owned sites, for 
                demonstrations, as appropriate;
                    ``(F) consult with--
                            ``(i) National Laboratories;
                            ``(ii) institutions of higher education;
                            ``(iii) traditional end users (such as 
                        electric utilities);
                            ``(iv) potential end users of new 
                        technologies (such as users of high-temperature 
                        process heat for manufacturing processing, 
                        including petrochemical or synthetic fuel 
                        companies, manufacturers of metals or 
                        chemicals, or manufacturers of concrete);
                            ``(v) developers of advanced nuclear 
                        reactor technology;
                            ``(vi) environmental and public health and 
                        safety experts; and
                            ``(vii) non-proliferation experts;
                    ``(G) seek to ensure that the demonstration 
                projects carried out under paragraph (1) do not cause 
                any delay in the progress of an advanced reactor 
                project by private industry and the Department of 
                Energy that is underway as of the date of enactment of 
                this section;
                    ``(H) establish a streamlined approval process for 
                expedited contracting between awardees and the 
                Department;
                    ``(I) identify technical challenges to candidate 
                technologies;
                    ``(J) support near-term research and development to 
                address the highest risk technical challenges to the 
                successful demonstration of a selected advanced reactor 
                technology, in accordance with--
                            ``(i) subparagraph (A);
                            ``(ii) the research and development 
                        activities under section 952(b); and
                            ``(iii) the research and development 
                        activities under section 958; and
                    ``(K) establish such technology advisory working 
                groups as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to 
                advise the Secretary regarding the technical challenges 
                identified under subparagraph (A) and the scope of 
                research and development programs to address the 
                challenges, in accordance with subparagraph (B), to be 
                comprised of--
                            ``(i) private sector advanced nuclear 
                        reactor technology developers;
                            ``(ii) technical experts with respect to 
                        the relevant technologies at institutions of 
                        higher education;
                            ``(iii) technical experts at the National 
                        Laboratories;
                            ``(iv) environmental and public health and 
                        safety experts;
                            ``(v) non-proliferation experts; and
                            ``(vi) any other entities the Secretary 
                        determines appropriate.
    ``(d) Milestone-Based Demonstration Projects.--
            ``(1) In general.--Using the authority of the Secretary 
        under section 646(g) of the Department of Energy Organization 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 7256(g)), notwithstanding paragraph (10) of such 
        section, the Secretary may carry out not more than 3 
        demonstration projects under subsection (c) as a milestone-
        based demonstration project that requires particular technical 
        and financial milestones to be met before a participant is 
        awarded funds by the Department.
            ``(2) Requirements.--In carrying out milestone-based 
        demonstration projects under the authority in paragraph (1), 
        the Secretary shall, for each relevant project--
                    ``(A) request proposals from eligible entities, as 
                determined by the Secretary, that include--
                            ``(i) a business plan;
                            ``(ii) a plan for raising private sector 
                        investment; and
                            ``(iii) proposed technical and financial 
                        milestones, including estimated project 
                        timelines and total costs, that are in 
                        accordance to the requirements specified in 
                        subsection (c); and
                    ``(B) award funding of a predetermined amount to 
                projects that successfully meet proposed milestones 
                under subparagraph (A)(iii); and
                    ``(C) require cost-sharing in accordance with 
                Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
            ``(3) Consultation.--In carrying out demonstration projects 
        under this authority, the Secretary shall consult with experts 
        from the investment community to assess project proposals and 
        determine the commercial viability of project proposals.
            ``(4) Failure to meet milestones.--Should an awardee not 
        meet the milestones described in paragraph (2)(A)(iii), the 
        Secretary may end the partnership with the awardee and use the 
        remaining funds in the ended agreement for new or existing 
        demonstration projects under this section.
    ``(e) Nonduplication.--Entities may not receive funds under this 
program if receiving funds from another reactor demonstration program 
at the Department in the same fiscal year.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program under this 
subsection--
            ``(1) $520,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
            ``(2) $670,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
            ``(3) $670,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
            ``(4) $670,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
            ``(5) $670,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.''.
            (2) Table of contents.--The table of contents of the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 594) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in the items relating to sections 957, 958, and 
                959, by inserting ``Sec.'' before ``9'' each place it 
                appears; and
                    (B) by inserting after the item relating to section 
                959 the following:

``Sec. 959A. Advanced nuclear reactor research, development, 
                            demonstration, and commercial application 
                            program.''.
    (h) International Nuclear Energy Cooperation.--
            (1) In general.--Subtitle E of title IX of the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16271 et seq.), as amended by 
        subsection (g), is further amended by adding at the end the 
        following:

``SEC. 959B. INTERNATIONAL NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
international regulators, shall carry out a program--
            ``(1) to coordinate international efforts with respect to 
        research, development, demonstration, and commercial 
        application of nuclear technology that supports diplomatic, 
        nonproliferation, climate, and international economic 
        objectives for the safe, secure, and peaceful use of such 
        technology; and
            ``(2) to develop collaboration initiatives with respect to 
        such efforts with a variety of countries through--
                    ``(A) research and development agreements;
                    ``(B) the development of coordinated action plans; 
                and
                    ``(C) new or existing multilateral cooperation 
                commitments including--
                            ``(i) the International Framework for 
                        Nuclear Energy Cooperation;
                            ``(ii) the Generation IV International 
                        Forum;
                            ``(iii) the International Atomic Energy 
                        Agency;
                            ``(iv) the Organization for Economic Co-
                        operation and Development Nuclear Energy 
                        Agency; and
                            ``(v) any other international collaborative 
                        effort with respect to advanced nuclear reactor 
                        operations and safety.
    ``(b) Requirements.--The program under subsection (a) shall be 
carried out to facilitate, to the maximum extent practicable, workshops 
and expert-based exchanges to engage industry, stakeholders, and 
foreign governments regarding international civil nuclear issues, such 
as training, financing, safety, and options for multinational 
cooperation on used nuclear fuel disposal.''.
            (2) Table of contents.--The table of contents of the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 594), as 
        amended by subsection (g), is further amended by inserting 
        after the item relating to section 959A the following:

``Sec. 959B. International nuclear energy cooperation.''.

SEC. 4. NUCLEAR ENERGY BUDGET PLAN.

    Section 959 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16279) is 
amended--
            (1) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
    ``(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 current fiscal year for the civilian 
nuclear energy research and development of the Department.''; and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
    ``(e) Updates.--Not less frequently than once every 2 years, the 
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate updated 10-year budget plans which 
shall identify, and provide a justification for, any major deviation 
from a previous budget plan submitted under this section.''.

SEC. 5. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Subtitle E of title IX of the Energy Policy Act of 
2005 (42 U.S.C. 16271 et seq.), as amended by section 3(h), is further 
amended by adding at the end of the following:

``SEC. 959C. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Coordination.--In carrying out this subtitle, the Secretary 
shall coordinate activities, and effectively manage crosscutting 
research priorities across programs of the Department and other 
relevant Federal agencies, including the National Laboratories.
    ``(b) Collaboration.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out this subtitle, the 
        Secretary shall collaborate with industry, National 
        Laboratories, other relevant Federal agencies, institutions of 
        higher education, including minority-serving institutions and 
        research reactors, Tribal entities, including Alaska Native 
        Corporations, and international bodies with relevant scientific 
        and technical expertise.
            ``(2) Participation.--To the extent practicable, the 
        Secretary shall encourage research projects that promote 
        collaboration between entities specified in paragraph (1).
    ``(c) Dissemination of Results and Public Availability.--The 
Secretary shall, except to the extent protected from disclosure under 
section 552(b) of title 5, United States Code, publish the results of 
projects supported under this subtitle through Department websites, 
reports, databases, training materials, and industry conferences, 
including information discovered after the completion of such projects.
    ``(d) Education and Outreach.--In carrying out the activities 
described in this subtitle, the Secretary shall support education and 
outreach activities to disseminate information and promote public 
understanding of nuclear energy.
    ``(e) Technical Assistance.--In carrying out this subtitle, for the 
purposes of supporting technical, nonhardware, and information-based 
advances in nuclear energy development and operations, the Secretary 
shall also conduct technical assistance and analysis activities, 
including activities that support commercial application of nuclear 
energy in rural, Tribal, and low-income communities.
    ``(f) Program Review.--At least annually, all programs in this 
subtitle shall be subject to an annual review by the Nuclear Energy 
Advisory Committee of the Department or other independent entity, as 
appropriate.
    ``(g) Sensitive Information.--The Secretary shall not publish any 
information generated under this subtitle that is detrimental to 
national security, as determined by the Secretary.''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (Public Law 109-58; 119 Stat. 594), as amended by section 
3(h), is further amended by inserting after the item relating to 
section 959B the following:

``Sec. 959C. Organization and administration of programs.''.
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