View all text of Subchapter III [§ 18641 - § 18655]
§ 18649. Isotope research, development, and production
(a) Definition of critical radioactive and stable isotope
(1) In generalIn this section, the term “critical radioactive and stable isotope” means a radioactive and stable isotope—
(A) the domestic commercial production of which is unavailable or inadequate to satisfy the demand of research, medical, industrial, or related industries in the United States; and
(B) the supply of which is augmented through—
(i) Department production; or
(ii) foreign suppliers.
(2) Exclusion
(b) ProgramThe Director shall—
(1) carry out, in coordination with other relevant programs across the Department, a program—
(A) for the production of critical radioactive and stable isotopes, including the development of techniques to produce isotopes, that the Secretary determines are needed and of sufficient quality and quantity for research, medical, industrial, or related purposes;
(B) for the production of critical radioactive and stable isotopes that are in short supply or projected to be in short supply in the future, including byproducts, surplus materials, and related isotope services;
(C) to maintain and enhance the infrastructure required to produce and supply critical radioactive and stable isotope products and related services;
(D) to conduct research and development on new and improved isotope production and processing techniques that can make critical radioactive and stable isotopes available for research and application as soon as possible while assisting in workforce development;
(E) to reduce domestic dependency on the foreign supply of critical radioactive and stable isotopes to ensure national preparedness; and
(F) to the maximum extent practicable, in accordance with—
(i) evidence-based reports, such as the 2015 report of the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee entitled “Meeting Isotope Needs and Capturing Opportunities for the Future”; and
(ii) assessments of isotope supply chains, including the assessment described in paragraph (3), any reports submitted pursuant to subsection (d), and other current and future assessments;
(2) ensure that isotope production activities carried out under this subsection are consistent with the statement of policy entitled “Policies and Procedures for Transfer of Commercial Radioisotope Production and Distribution to Private Industry” (30 Fed. Reg. 3247 (March 9, 1965));
(3) assess the domestic requirements of current and emerging critical radioactive and stable isotopes and associated applications, including by consulting end-users, to identify areas that may require Federal investment for expedited development of domestic production capacity for those isotopes, including through public-private partnerships, as appropriate;
(4) ensure that actions taken by the Department do not interfere with, delay, compete with, or otherwise adversely affect efforts by the private sector to make available or otherwise facilitate the supply of critical radioactive and stable isotopes, including efforts under existing agreements between the Department or contractors of the Department and the private sector; and
(5) in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, assess options for demonstrating the production of critical radioactive and stable isotopes in research, test, or commercial nuclear reactors and accelerators, including reactors and accelerators operated at universities.
(c) Advisory committee
(1) In generalNot later than 90 days after August 9, 2022, the Secretary shall establish an advisory committee (referred to in this subsection as the “committee”) in alignment with the program established under subsection (b)—
(A) to carry out the activities previously executed as part of the Isotope Subcommittee of the Nuclear Science Advisory Committee; and
(B) to provide expert advice and assistance to the Director in carrying out that program.
(2) Report
(A) In generalNot later than 1 year after the committee is established, the committee shall—
(i) update the 2015 Nuclear Science Advisory Committee Isotopes Subcommittee Report entitled “Meeting Isotope Needs and Capturing Opportunities for the Future”; and
(ii) periodically update that report thereafter as needed.
(B) InclusionsAn updated report under subparagraph (A) shall include an assessment of—
(i) current demand in the United States for critical radioactive and stable isotopes;
(ii) the impact of continued reliance on foreign supply of critical radioactive and stable isotopes;
(iii) proposed mitigation strategies, including increasing domestic production sources for critical radioactive and stable isotopes, that—(I) are not commercially available; or(II) are commercially produced in quantities that are not sufficient—(aa) to satisfy domestic demand; and(bb) to minimize production constraints and supply disruptions to the United States healthcare and industrial isotope industries;
(iv) current facilities, including upgrades to those facilities, and new facilities needed to meet domestic critical isotope needs; and
(v) workforce development needs.
(3) Nonduplication
(4) FACA
(d) Report
(1) In general
(2) InclusionsEach report under paragraph (1) shall include—
(A) an updated assessment of any critical radioactive and stable isotope shortages in the United States;
(B) a description of—
(i) any disruptions in the international supply of critical radioactive and stable isotopes during the preceding 2 fiscal years; and
(ii) the impact of those disruptions on related activities; and
(C)
(i) a projection of anticipated disruptions in the international supply, or supply constraints, of critical radioactive and stable isotopes during the next 2 fiscal years; and
(ii) the anticipated impact of those disruptions or constraints, as applicable, on related domestic activities.
(e) Authorization of appropriationsOut of funds authorized to be appropriated for the Office of Science in a fiscal year, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section—
(1) $175,708,000 for fiscal year 2023;
(2) $196,056,480 for fiscal year 2024;
(3) $215,759,869 for fiscal year 2025;
(4) $200,633,461 for fiscal year 2026; and
(5) $146,293,469 for fiscal year 2027.
(Pub. L. 115–246, title III, § 311, as added Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title I, § 10110(a), Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1452.)