USC Subchapter VI

USC Subchapter VI
in effect

42 U.S.C. § 16011 Demonstration hydrogen production at existing nuclear power plants

(a) Demonstration projectsThe Secretary shall provide for the establishment of 2 projects in geographic areas that are regionally and climatically diverse to demonstrate the commercial production of hydrogen at existing nuclear power plants. (b) Economic analysisPrior to making an award under subsection (a), the Secretary shall determine whether the use of existing nuclear power plants is a cost-effective means of producing hydrogen. (c) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for the purposes of carrying out this section not more than $100,000,000.

42 U.S.C. § 16012 Prohibition on assumption by United States Government of liability for certain foreign incidents

(a) In generalNotwithstanding any other provision of law, no officer of the United States or of any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government may enter into any contract or other arrangement, or into any amendment or modification of a contract or other arrangement, the purpose or effect of which would be to directly or indirectly impose liability on the United States Government, or any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government, or to otherwise directly or indirectly require an indemnity by the United States Government, for nuclear incidents occurring in connection with the design, construction, or operation of a production facility or utilization facility in any country whose government has been identified by the Secretary of State as engaged in state sponsorship of terrorist activities (specifically including any country the government of which, as of September 11, 2001, had been determined by the Secretary of State under section 2371(a) of title 22, section 4605(j)(1) 11 See References in Text note below. of title 50, or section 2780(d) of title 22 to have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism). This section shall not apply to nuclear incidents occurring as a result of missions, carried out under the direction of the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, or the Secretary of State, that are necessary to safely secure, store, transport, or remove nuclear materials for nuclear safety or nonproliferation purposes. (b) DefinitionsThe terms used in this section shall have the same meaning as those terms have under section 2014 of this title, unless otherwise expressly provided in this section.

42 U.S.C. § 16013 Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle.

42 U.S.C. § 16014 Standby support for certain nuclear plant delays

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:(1) Advanced nuclear facilityThe term “advanced nuclear facility” means any nuclear facility the reactor design for which is approved after December 31, 1993, by the Commission (and such design or a substantially similar design of comparable capacity was not approved on or before that date). (2) Combined licenseThe term “combined license” means a combined construction and operating license for an advanced nuclear facility issued by the Commission. (3) CommissionThe term “Commission” means the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. (4) SponsorThe term “sponsor” means a person who has applied for or been granted a combined license. (b) Contract authority(1) In generalThe Secretary may enter into contracts under this section with sponsors of an advanced nuclear facility that cover a total of 6 reactors, with the 6 reactors consisting of not more than 3 different reactor designs, in accordance with paragraph (2). (2) Requirement for contracts(A) Definition of loan costIn this paragraph, the term “loan cost” has the meaning given the term “cost of a loan guarantee” under section 661a(5)(C) of title 2. (B) Establishment of accountsThere is established in the Department 2 separate accounts, which shall be known as the—(i) “Standby Support Program Account”; and (ii) “Standby Support Grant Account”. (C) RequirementThe Secretary shall not enter into a contract under this section unless the Secretary deposits—(i) in the Standby Support Program Account established under subparagraph (B), funds appropriated to the Secretary in advance of the contract or a combination of appropriated funds and loan guarantee fees that are in an amount sufficient to cover the loan costs described in subsection (d)(5)(A); and (ii) in the Standby Support Grant Account established under subparagraph (B), funds appropriated to the Secretary in advance of the contract, paid to the Secretary by the sponsor of the advanced nuclear facility, or a combination of appropriations and payments that are in an amount sufficient 11 So in original. Probably should be followed by “to”. cover the costs described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) of subsection (d)(5). (c) Covered delays(1) InclusionsUnder each contract authorized by this section, the Secretary shall pay the costs specified in subsection (d), using funds appropriated or collected for the covered costs, if full power operation of the advanced nuclear facility is delayed by—(A) the failure of the Commission to comply with schedules for review and approval of inspections, tests, analyses, and acceptance criteria established under the combined license or the conduct of preoperational hearings by the Commission for the advanced nuclear facility; or (B) litigation that delays the commencement of full-power operations of the advanced nuclear facility. (2) ExclusionsThe Secretary may not enter into any contract under this section that would obligate the Secretary to pay any costs resulting from—(A) the failure of the sponsor to take any action required by law or regulation; (B) events within the control of the sponsor; or (C) normal business risks. (d) Covered costs(1) In generalSubject to paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), the costs that shall be paid by the Secretary pursuant to a contract entered into under this section are the costs that result from a delay covered by the contract. (2) Initial 2 reactorsIn the case of the first 2 reactors that receive combined licenses and on which construction is commenced, the Secretary shall pay—(A) 100 percent of the covered costs of delay; but (B) not more than $500,000,000 per contract. (3) Subsequent 4 reactorsIn the case of the next 4 reactors that receive a combined license and on which construction is commenced, the Secretary shall pay—(A) 50 percent of the covered costs of delay that occur after the initial 180-day period of covered delay; but (B) not more than $250,000,000 per contract. (4) Conditions on payment of certain covered costs(A) In generalThe obligation of the Secretary to pay the covered costs described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (5) is subject to the Secretary receiving from appropriations or payments from other non-Federal sources amounts sufficient to pay the covered costs. (B) Non-Federal sourcesThe Secretary may receive and accept payments from any non-Federal source, which shall be made available without further appropriation for the payment of the covered costs. (5) Types of covered costsSubject to paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), the contract entered into under this section for an advanced nuclear facility shall include as covered costs those costs that result from a delay during construction and in gaining approval for fuel loading and full-power operation, including—(A) principal or interest on any debt obligation of an advanced nuclear facility owned by a non-Federal entity; and (B) the incremental difference between—(i) the fair market price of power purchased to meet the contractual supply agreements that would have been met by the advanced nuclear facility but for the delay; and (ii) the contractual price of power from the advanced nuclear facility subject to the delay. (e) RequirementsAny contract between a sponsor and the Secretary covering an advanced nuclear facility under this section shall require the sponsor to use due diligence to shorten, and to end, the delay covered by the contract. (f) ReportsFor each advanced nuclear facility that is covered by a contract under this section, the Commission shall submit to Congress and the Secretary quarterly reports summarizing the status of licensing actions associated with the advanced nuclear facility. (g) Regulations(1) In generalSubject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section. (2) Interim final rulemakingNot later than 270 days after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall issue for public comment an interim final rule regulating contracts authorized by this section. (3) Notice of final rulemakingNot later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall issue a notice of final rulemaking regulating the contracts. (h) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

42 U.S.C. § 16021 Project establishment

(a) EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish a project to be known as the “Next Generation Nuclear Plant Project” (referred to in this part as the “Project”). (b) ContentThe Project shall consist of the research, development, design, construction, and operation of a prototype plant, including a nuclear reactor that—(1) is based on research and development activities supported by the Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Initiative under section 16272(c) 11 See References in Text note below. of this title; and (2) shall be used—(A) to generate electricity; (B) to produce hydrogen; or (C) both to generate electricity and to produce hydrogen.

42 U.S.C. § 16022 Project management

(a) Departmental management(1) In generalThe Project shall be managed in the Department by the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science, and Technology. (2) Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems programThe Secretary may combine the Project with the Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Initiative. (3) Existing DOE project management expertiseThe Secretary may utilize capabilities for review of construction projects for advanced scientific facilities within the Office of Science to track the progress of the Project. (b) Laboratory management(1) Lead LaboratoryThe Idaho National Laboratory shall be the lead National Laboratory for the Project and shall collaborate with other National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, other research institutes, industrial researchers, and international researchers to carry out the Project. (2) Industrial partnerships(A) In generalThe Idaho National Laboratory shall organize a consortium of appropriate industrial partners that will carry out cost-shared research, development, design, and construction activities, and operate research facilities, on behalf of the Project. (B) Cost-sharingActivities of industrial partners funded by the Project shall be cost-shared in accordance with section 16352 of this title. (C) PreferencePreference in determining the final structure of the consortium or any partnerships under this part shall be given to a structure (including designating as a lead industrial partner an entity incorporated in the United States) that retains United States technological leadership in the Project while maximizing cost sharing opportunities and minimizing Federal funding responsibilities. (3) Prototype plant sitingThe prototype nuclear reactor and associated plant shall be sited at the Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho. (4) Reactor test capabilitiesThe Project shall use, if appropriate, reactor test capabilities at the Idaho National Laboratory. (5) Other Laboratory capabilitiesThe Project may use, if appropriate, facilities at other National Laboratories.

42 U.S.C. § 16023 Project organization

(a) Major project elementsThe Project shall consist of the following major program elements:(1) High-temperature hydrogen production technology development and validation. (2) Energy conversion technology development and validation. (3) Nuclear fuel development, characterization, and qualification. (4) Materials selection, development, testing, and qualification. (5) Reactor and balance-of-plant design, engineering, safety analysis, and qualification. (b) Project phasesThe Project shall be conducted in the following phases:(1) First project phaseA 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 demonstration 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 phaseA 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 generalThe Secretary shall ensure that the Project is structured so as to maximize the technical interchange 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 technologies. (2) International collaboration(A) In generalThe Secretary shall seek international cooperation, participation, and financial contributions for the Project. (B) Assistance from international partnersThe Secretary, through the Idaho National Laboratory, may contract for assistance from specialists or facilities from member countries of the Generation IV International Forum, the Russian Federation, or other international partners if the specialists or facilities provide access to cost-effective and relevant skills or test capabilities. (C) Partner nationsThe Project may involve demonstration of selected project objectives in a partner country. (D) Generation IV International ForumThe Secretary shall ensure that international activities of the Project are coordinated with the Generation IV International Forum. (3) Review by Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee(A) In generalThe 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 attention in the Project and by the Secretary. (B) Additional expertiseThe NERAC shall supplement 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 reviewNot later than 180 days after August 8, 2005, the NERAC shall—(i) review existing program plans for the Project in light of the recommendations of the document entitled “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 reviewOn a determination by the Secretary that the appropriate activities under the first project phase under subsection (b)(1) are nearly complete, 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 concerning whether the Project is ready to proceed to the second project phase under subsection (b)(2). (E) Transmittal of reports to CongressNot 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 additional views of the Secretary that the Secretary may consider appropriate.

42 U.S.C. § 16024 Nuclear Regulatory Commission

(a) In generalIn accordance with section 5842 of this title, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall have licensing and regulatory authority for any reactor authorized under this part. (b) Licensing strategyNot later than 3 years after August 8, 2005, the Secretary and the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall jointly submit to the appropriate committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives a licensing strategy for the prototype nuclear reactor, including—(1) a description of ways in which current licensing requirements 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 Regulatory Commission will have to develop to independently verify designs and performance characteristics of components, equipment, 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 interactionThe 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 accessibility 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.

42 U.S.C. § 16025 Project timelines and authorization of appropriations

(a) Target date to complete the first project phaseNot 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 generalThe 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 competitive evaluation and selection of a single proposal for a final design of the prototype nuclear reactor. (2) Systems integrationThe 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 constructionNot later than September 30, 2021, the Secretary shall—(1) complete construction and begin operations of the prototype nuclear reactor and associated energy or hydrogen facilities; or (2) submit to Congress a report establishing an alternative date for completion. (d) Authorization of appropriationsThere is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for research and construction activities under this part (including for transfer to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for activities under section 16024 of this title as appropriate)—(1) $1,250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2006 through 2015; and (2) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021.

42 U.S.C. § 16041 Nuclear facility and materials security

(a) In general(1), (2) Omitted (3) Federal security coordinators(A) Regional officesNot later than 18 months after August 8, 2005, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (referred to in this section as the “Commission”) shall assign a Federal security coordinator, under the employment of the Commission, to each region of the Commission. (B) ResponsibilitiesThe Federal security coordinator shall be responsible for—(i) communicating with the Commission and other Federal, State, and local authorities concerning threats, including threats against such classes of facilities as the Commission determines to be appropriate; (ii) monitoring such classes of facilities as the Commission determines to be appropriate to ensure that they maintain security consistent with the security plan in accordance with the appropriate threat level; and (iii) assisting in the coordination of security measures among the private security forces at such classes of facilities as the Commission determines to be appropriate and Federal, State, and local authorities, as appropriate. (b) Backup power for certain emergency notification systemsFor any licensed nuclear power plants located where there is a permanent population, as determined by the 2000 decennial census, in excess of 15,000,000 within a 50-mile radius of the power plant, not later than 18 months after August 8, 2005, the Commission shall require that backup power to be available for the emergency notification system of the power plant, including the emergency siren warning system, if the alternating current supply within the 10-mile emergency planning zone of the power plant is lost. (c), (d) Omitted (e) Final regulations; waivers(1) to (3) Omitted (4) Final regulations(A) Regulations(i) In generalNot later than 18 months after August 8, 2005, the Commission, after consultation with States and other stakeholders, shall issue final regulations establishing such requirements as the Commission determines to be necessary to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section. (ii) InclusionsThe regulations shall include a definition of the term “discrete source” for purposes of paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 2014(e) of this title. (B) CooperationIn promulgating regulations under paragraph (1),11 So in original. Probably should be “subparagraph (A),”. the Commission shall, to the maximum extent practicable—(i) cooperate with States; and (ii) use model State standards in existence on August 8, 2005. (C) Transition plan(i) Definition of byproduct materialIn this paragraph, the term “byproduct material” has the meaning given the term in paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 2014(e) of this title. (ii) Preparation and publicationTo facilitate an orderly transition of regulatory authority with respect to byproduct material, the Commission, in issuing regulations under subparagraph (A), shall prepare and publish a transition plan for—(I) States that have not, before the date on which the plan is published, entered into an agreement with the Commission under section 2021(b) of this title; and (II) States that have entered into an agreement with the Commission under that section before the date on which the plan is published. (iii) InclusionsThe transition plan under clause (ii) shall include—(I) a description of the conditions under which a State may exercise authority over byproduct material; and (II) a statement of the Commission that any agreement covering byproduct material, as defined in paragraph (1) or (2) of section 2014(e) of this title, entered into between the Commission and a State under section 2021(b) of this title before the date of publication of the transition plan shall be considered to include byproduct material, as defined in paragraph (3) or (4) of section 2014(e) of this title, if the Governor of the State certifies to the Commission on the date of publication of the transition plan that—(aa) the State has a program for licensing byproduct material, as defined in paragraph (3) or (4) of section 2014(e) of this title, that is adequate to protect the public health and safety, as determined by the Commission; and (bb) the State intends to continue to implement the regulatory responsibility of the State with respect to the byproduct material. (D) Availability of radiopharmaceuticalsIn promulgating regulations under subparagraph (A), the Commission shall consider the impact on the availability of radiopharmaceuticals to—(i) physicians; and (ii) patients the medical treatment of which relies on radiopharmaceuticals. (5) Waivers(A) In generalExcept as provided in subparagraph (B), the Commission may grant a waiver to any entity of any requirement under this section or an amendment made by this section with respect to a matter relating to byproduct material (as defined in paragraphs (3) and (4) of section 2014(e) of this title) if the Commission determines that the waiver is in accordance with the protection of the public health and safety and the promotion of the common defense and security. (B) Exceptions(i) In generalThe Commission may not grant a waiver under subparagraph (A) with respect to—(I) any requirement under the amendments made by subsection (c)(1); (II) a matter relating to an importation into, or exportation from, the United States for a period ending after the date that is 1 year after August 8, 2005; or (III) any other matter for a period ending after the date that is 4 years after August 8, 2005. (ii) Waivers to StatesThe Commission shall terminate any waiver granted to a State under subparagraph (A) if the Commission determines that—(I) the State has entered into an agreement with the Commission under section 2021(b) of this title; (II) the agreement described in subclause (I) covers byproduct material (as described in paragraph (3) or (4) of section 2014(e) of this title); and (III) the program of the State for licensing such byproduct material is adequate to protect the public health and safety. (C) PublicationThe Commission shall publish in the Federal Register a notice of any waiver granted under this subsection.

42 U.S.C. § 16042 Department of Homeland Security consultation

Before issuing a license for a utilization facility, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall consult with the Department of Homeland Security concerning the potential vulnerabilities of the location of the proposed facility to terrorist attack.

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