Nuclear Energy Leadership Act

Bill: 115-s-3422
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2018-09-06
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources

Congressional oversight

Education programs funding

Electric power generation and transmission

Energy efficiency and conservation

Energy prices

Energy research

Higher education

Nuclear power

Public contracts and procurement

Public utilities and utility rates

Public-private cooperation

Radioactive wastes and releases

Research administration and funding

Research and development

Student aid and college costs
Latest action: action_date: 2018-11-29
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-534.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-09-06
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Nuclear Energy Leadership Act </b></p> <p>This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Department of Energy (DOE)to (1)establish a long-term nuclear power purchase agreement pilot program; (2)advance the research and development of domestic advanced, affordable, and clean nuclear energy; (3)develop a 10-year strategic plan for its Office of Nuclear Energy; (4)provide for a versatile, reactor-based fast neutron source; and (5)establish a program to make available high-assay, low-enriched uranium for use in commercial or noncommercial advanced nuclear reactors.</p> <p>DOE, the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission must jointly establish a University Nuclear Leadership Program to provide financial assistance for scholarships, fellowships, and research and development projects at institutions of higher education.</p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3422 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 6, 2018 Ms. Murkowski (for herself, Mr. Booker , Mr. Risch , Mr. Crapo , Mrs. Capito , Mr. Durbin , Mr. Whitehouse , Mr. Manchin , and Mr. Coons ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To direct the Secretary of Energy to establish advanced nuclear goals, provide for a versatile, reactor-based fast neutron source, make available high-assay, low-enriched uranium for research, development, and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactor concepts, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act . 2. Authorization of long-term power purchase agreements Section 501(b)(1) of title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) Public utility contracts (i) Term (I) In general A contract under this paragraph to purchase electricity from a public utility may be for a period of not more than 40 years. (II) Other public utility services A contract under this paragraph for a public utility service other than a service described in subclause (I) may be for a period of not more than 10 years. (ii) Costs The cost of a contract under this paragraph for any fiscal year may be paid from the appropriations for that fiscal year. . 3. Long-term nuclear power purchase agreement pilot program (a) In general Subtitle B of title VI of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( Public Law 109–58 ; 119 Stat. 782) is amended by adding at the end the following: 640. Long-term nuclear power purchase agreement pilot program (a) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a pilot program for a long-term power purchase agreement. (b) Requirements In developing the pilot program under this section, the Secretary shall— (1) consult and coordinate with the heads of other Federal departments and agencies that may benefit from purchasing nuclear power for a period of longer than 10 years, including— (A) the Secretary of Defense; and (B) the Secretary of Homeland Security; and (2) not later than December 31, 2023, enter into at least 1 agreement to purchase power from a commercial nuclear reactor. (c) Factors for consideration (1) In general In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to power purchase agreements for first-of-a-kind or early deployment nuclear technologies that can provide reliable and resilient power to high-value assets for national security purposes or other purposes as the Secretary determines to be in the national interest, especially in remote off-grid scenarios or grid-connected scenarios that can provide capabilities commonly known as islanding power capabilities during an emergency scenario. (2) Effect on rates An agreement to purchase power under this section may be at a rate that is higher than the average market rate, if the agreement fulfills an applicable consideration described in paragraph (1). . (b) Table of contents The table of contents of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( Public Law 109–58 ; 119 Stat. 594) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 639 the following: Sec. 640. Long-term nuclear power purchase agreement pilot program. . 4. Advanced nuclear reactor research and development goals (a) 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: 958. Advanced nuclear reactor research and development goals (a) Definitions In this section: (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 the most recent generation of fission reactors, 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; (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; or (xi) operational flexibility to respond to changes in demand for electricity and to complement integration with intermittent renewable energy; and (B) a fusion reactor. (2) Demonstration project The term demonstration project means an advanced nuclear reactor operated— (A) as part of the power generation facilities of an electric utility system; or (B) in any other manner for the purpose of demonstrating the suitability for commercial application of the advanced nuclear reactor. (b) Purpose The purpose of this section is to direct the Secretary, as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this section, to advance the research and development of domestic advanced, affordable, and clean nuclear energy by— (1) demonstrating different advanced nuclear reactor technologies that could be used by the private sector to produce— (A) emission-free power at a levelized cost of electricity of $60 per megawatt-hour or less; (B) heat for community heating, industrial purposes, or synthetic fuel production; (C) remote or off-grid energy supply; or (D) backup or mission-critical power supplies; (2) developing goals for nuclear energy research programs that would accomplish the goals of the demonstration projects carried out under subsection (c); (3) 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 (4) facilitating the access of the private sector— (A) to Federal research facilities; and (B) to the results of research funded by the Federal Government. (c) Demonstration projects (1) In general During the period beginning on the date of enactment of this section and ending on September 30, 2028, the Secretary shall, to the maximum extent practicable, enter into 1 or more agreements to carry out not fewer than 4 advanced nuclear reactor demonstration projects. (2) Requirements In carrying out demonstration projects under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) seek to include diversity in designs for the advanced nuclear reactors demonstrated under this section, including designs using various primary coolants; (B) seek to ensure that— (i) the long-term cost of electricity or heat for each design to be demonstrated under this subsection is cost-competitive in the applicable market; and (ii) the cost-competitiveness of each design to be demonstrated under this subsection is verified by an external review of the proposed design; (C) enter into cost-sharing agreements with partners in accordance with section 988 for the conduct of activities relating to the research, development, and demonstration of private-sector advanced nuclear reactor designs under the program; (D) work with private sector partners to identify potential sites, including Department-owned sites, for demonstrations, as appropriate; and (E) align specific activities carried out under demonstration projects carried out under this subsection with priorities identified through direct consultations between— (i) the Department; (ii) National Laboratories; (iii) institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) )); (iv) traditional end-users (such as electric utilities); (v) potential end-users of new technologies (such as petrochemical companies); and (vi) developers of advanced nuclear reactor technology. (d) Goals (1) In general The Secretary shall establish goals for research relating to advanced nuclear reactors facilitated by the Department that support the objectives of the program for demonstration projects established under subsection (c). (2) Coordination In developing the goals under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall coordinate, on an ongoing basis, with members of private industry to advance the demonstration of various designs of advanced nuclear reactors. (3) Requirements In developing the goals under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure that— (A) research activities facilitated by the Department to meet the goals developed under this subsection are focused on key areas of nuclear research and deployment ranging from basic energy to full-design development, safety evaluation, and licensing; (B) research programs designed to meet the goals emphasize— (i) resolving materials challenges relating to radiation damage or corrosive coolants; and (ii) qualification of advanced fuels; (C) activities are carried out that address near-term challenges in modeling and simulation to enable accelerated design and licensing; (D) related technologies, such as electrochemical processing or fuel recycling that could reduce nuclear waste volumes or half lives, are developed; (E) infrastructure, such as a versatile fast neutron source or molten salt testing facility, to aid in research are constructed; (F) basic knowledge of non-light water coolant physics and chemistry is improved; and (G) advanced manufacturing and construction techniques and materials are investigated to reduce the commercialization cost of advanced nuclear reactors. . (b) Table of contents The table of contents of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 ( Public Law 109–58 ; 119 Stat. 594) is amended— (1) in the item relating to section 917, by striking Efficiency ; and (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 957 the following: Sec. 958. Advanced nuclear reactor research and development goals. . 5. Nuclear energy strategic plan (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 4(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 958A. Nuclear energy strategic plan (a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a 10-year strategic plan for the Office of Nuclear Energy of the Department, in accordance with this section. (b) Requirements (1) Components The strategic plan under this section shall designate— (A) programs that support the planned accomplishment of the goals established under section 958(d); and (B) programs that— (i) do not support the planned accomplishment of the goals referred to in subparagraph (A); but (ii) are important to the mission of the Office of Nuclear Energy, as determined by the Secretary. (2) Program planning In developing the strategic plan under this section, the Secretary shall specify expected timelines for, as applicable— (A) the accomplishment of relevant objectives under current programs of the Department; or (B) the commencement of new programs to accomplish those objectives. (c) Updates Not less frequently than once every 2 years, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives an updated 10-year strategic plan in accordance with subsection (b), which shall identify, and provide a justification for, any major deviation from a previous strategic plan submitted under this section. . (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 4(b)(2)) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 958 the following: Sec. 958A. Nuclear energy strategic plan. . 6. Versatile, reactor-based fast neutron source (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 5(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 959. Versatile, reactor-based fast neutron source (a) Definition of fast neutron In this section, the term fast neutron means a neutron with kinetic energy above 100 kiloelectron volts. (b) Requirement The Secretary shall provide for a versatile, reactor-based fast neutron source, which shall operate as a national user facility. (c) Consultations required In carrying out subsection (b), the Secretary shall consult with the private sector, institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) )), the National Laboratories, and relevant Federal agencies to ensure that the neutron source established under subsection (b) is capable of meeting Federal research needs for neutron irradiation services. (d) Facility capabilities (1) Capabilities The Secretary shall ensure that the user facility described in subsection (b) will provide, at a minimum— (A) fast neutron spectrum irradiation capability; and (B) the capacity for upgrades to accommodate new or expanded research needs. (2) Considerations In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consider— (A) capabilities that support experimental high-temperature testing; (B) providing a source of fast neutrons— (i) at a neutron flux higher than that at which existing research facilities operate; and (ii) sufficient to enable research for an optimal base of prospective users; (C) maximizing irradiation flexibility and irradiation volume to accommodate as many concurrent users as practicable; (D) capabilities for irradiation with neutrons of a lower energy spectrum; (E) multiple loops for fuels and materials testing of different coolants; (F) additional pre- and post-irradiation examination capabilities; and (G) lifetime operating costs and lifecycle costs. (e) Deadline for commencement of operations To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall ensure that full operations at the user facility under subsection (b) commence before December 31, 2025. (f) Funding Of the funds appropriated to the Office of Nuclear Energy of the Department, the Secretary shall use such sums as are necessary to carry out this section. . (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 5(b)) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 958A the following: Sec. 959. Versatile, reactor-based fast neutron source. . 7. Advanced nuclear fuel security program (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) the national security nuclear enterprise, which supports the nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship and naval reactors functions of the National Nuclear Security Administration, requires a domestic fuel cycle, including uranium mining, uranium processing, uranium enrichment, and fuel fabrication, capable of producing low- and high-enriched uranium; (2) many domestic advanced nuclear power industry participants require access to high-assay, low-enriched uranium fuel for— (A) initial fuel testing; (B) operation of demonstration reactors; and (C) commercial operation of advanced nuclear reactors; (3) as of the date of enactment of this Act, no domestic uranium enrichment or fuel fabrication capability exists for uranium fuel enriched to greater than 5 weight percent of the uranium-235 isotope; (4) a healthy commercial nuclear fuel cycle capable of providing higher levels of enriched uranium would benefit— (A) the relevant national security functions of the National Nuclear Security Administration; and (B) the domestic advanced nuclear industry of the United States; and (5) making limited quantities of high-assay, low-enriched uranium available from Department of Energy stockpiles of uranium would allow for initial fuel testing and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactor concepts, accelerating— (A) the path to market of those concepts; and (B) the development of— (i) a market for advanced nuclear reactors; and (ii) a resulting growing commercial nuclear fuel cycle capability. (b) Amendment (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 section 6(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following: 960. Advanced nuclear fuel security program (a) Definitions In this section: (1) 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. (2) High-enriched uranium The term high-enriched uranium means uranium with an assay of 20 weight percent or more of the uranium-235 isotope. (b) High-Assay low-Enriched uranium program for advanced reactors (1) Establishment Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall establish a program to make available high-assay, low-enriched uranium, through contracts for sale, resale, transfer, or lease, for use in commercial or noncommercial advanced nuclear reactors. (2) Nuclear fuel ownership Each lease under this subsection shall include a provision establishing that the nuclear fuel that is the subject of the lease shall remain the property of the Department, including with respect to responsibility for the final disposition of all radioactive waste created by the irradiation, processing, or purification of any leased uranium. (3) Quantity In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall make available— (A) by December 31, 2022, high-assay, low-enriched uranium containing not less than 2 metric tons of the uranium-235 isotope; and (B) by December 31, 2025, high-assay, low-enriched uranium containing not less than 10 metric tons of the uranium-235 isotope (as determined including the quantities of the uranium-235 isotope made available before December 31, 2022). (4) Factors for consideration In carrying out the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall take into consideration options for providing the high-assay, low-enriched uranium under this subsection from a stockpile of uranium owned by the Department (including the National Nuclear Security Administration), including— (A) fuel that— (i) directly meets the needs of an end-user; but (ii) has been previously used or fabricated for another purpose; (B) 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 (including activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration); and (C) 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. (5) 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 the subject of a lease under this subsection. (6) Sunset The program under this subsection shall terminate on the earlier of— (A) January 1, 2035; and (B) the date on which uranium enriched up to, but not equal to, 20 weight percent can be obtained in the commercial market from domestic suppliers. (c) Report (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes actions proposed to be carried out by the Secretary— (A) under the program under subsection (b); or (B) otherwise to enable the commercial use of high-assay, low-enriched uranium. (2) Coordination and stakeholder input In developing the report under this subsection, the Secretary shall seek input from— (A) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; (B) the National Laboratories; (C) institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) )); (D) a diverse group of entities operating in the nuclear energy industry; and (E) a diverse group of technology developers. (3) Cost and schedule estimates The report under this subsection shall include estimated costs, budgets, and timeframes for enabling the use of high-assay, low-enriched uranium. (4) Required evaluations The report under this subsection shall evaluate— (A) the costs and actions required to establish and carry out the program under subsection (b), including with respect to— (i) proposed preliminary terms for the sale, resale, transfer, and leasing of high-assay low-enriched uranium (including guidelines defining the roles and responsibilities between the Department and the purchaser, transfer recipient, or lessee); and (ii) the potential to coordinate with purchasers, transfer recipients, and lessees regarding— (I) fuel fabrication; and (II) fuel transport; (B) the potential sources and fuel forms available to provide uranium for the program under subsection (b); (C) options to coordinate the program under subsection (b) with the operation of the versatile, reactor-based fast neutron source under section 959; (D) the ability of the domestic uranium market to provide materials for advanced nuclear reactor fuel; and (E) any associated legal, regulatory, and policy issues that should be addressed to enable— (i) the program under subsection (b); and (ii) the establishment of a domestic industry capable of providing high-assay, low-enriched uranium for commercial and noncommercial purposes, including with respect to the needs of— (I) the Department; (II) the Department of Defense; and (III) the National Nuclear Security Administration. . (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 section 6(b)) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 959 the following: Sec. 960. Advanced nuclear fuel security program. . 8. University Nuclear Leadership Program (a) Findings Congress finds that— (1) nuclear power plants— (A) generate billions of dollars in national economic activity through procurements throughout the United States; and (B) provide tens of thousands of people in the United States with high-paying jobs, contributing substantially to the local economies of the communities in which the plants operate; (2) the world market for the growth of commercial nuclear power was estimated by the Department of Commerce to be valued at up to $740,000,000,000 during the period of calendar years 2018 through 2028; (3) the participation and leadership of the United States in the market described in paragraph (2) will— (A) (i) increase economic activity in the United States through robust nuclear exports, leading to the enhanced economic security of the United States; and (ii) preserve and enhance the ability of the United States to positively influence international nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation standards through commercial engagement with other nations; but (B) require significant investment in United States-origin advanced nuclear technologies; (4) in order to lead the world in the next generation of commercial nuclear power, the advanced nuclear industry in the United States should be positioned for accelerated growth, which requires public-private partnerships with— (A) the Department of Energy; (B) the National Nuclear Security Administration; and (C) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; (5) advanced reactors represent new challenges in reactor design, safeguards, and regulation; (6) the challenges referred to in paragraph (5)— (A) are directly relevant to the missions of— (i) the Office of Nuclear Energy of the Department of Energy; (ii) the National Nuclear Security Administration; and (iii) the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and (B) require a highly skilled workforce in order to be met; and (7) nuclear science and engineering programs at institutions of higher education in the United States— (A) annually award degrees in nuclear engineering and related fields to more than 600 undergraduate students, and 500 graduate students, who are critical to maintaining United States leadership in the development of advanced nuclear systems; (B) perform cutting-edge research and technology development activities that have made fundamental contributions to advancing United States nuclear technology; (C) support workforce development critical to maintaining United States leadership in nuclear detection, nonproliferation, nuclear medicine, advanced manufacturing, and other non-energy areas; and (D) generally do not receive support from Federal science agencies other than the Department of Energy. (b) Amendment Section 313 of the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2009 ( 42 U.S.C. 16274a ), is amended to read as follows: 313. University Nuclear Leadership Program (a) Definitions In this section: (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 the most recent generation of fission reactors, 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; (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; or (xi) operational flexibility to respond to changes in demand for electricity and to complement integration with intermittent renewable energy; and (B) a fusion reactor. (2) 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) ). (3) Program The term Program means the University Nuclear Leadership Program established under subsection (b). (b) Establishment The Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, and the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall jointly establish a program, to be known as the University Nuclear Leadership Program . (c) 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 in areas relevant to the programmatic mission of the applicable Federal agency providing the financial assistance with respect to research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities for technologies relevant to advanced nuclear reactors, including relevant fuel cycle technologies. (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 applicable Federal agency providing the financial assistance, if the activity for which assistance is provided would facilitate the maintenance of the discipline of nuclear science or nuclear engineering. (d) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the Program. .