42 USC 16021 - Project establishment

Collapse to view only § 16021. Project establishment

§ 16021. Project establishment
§ 16022. Project management
§ 16023. Project organization
§ 16024. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
§ 16025. Project timelines and authorization of appropriations

§ 16021. Project establishment

(a) Establishment

(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) 

(2) shall be used—

(A) to generate electricity;

(B) to produce hydrogen; or

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VI, § 641, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 794; Pub. L. 115–248, § 2(b)(2), Sept. 28, 2018, 132 Stat. 3155.)

§ 16022. Project management

(a) Departmental management

(1) In general

(2) Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems program

(3) Existing DOE project management expertise

(b) Laboratory management

(1) Lead Laboratory

(2) Industrial partnerships

(A) In general

(B) Cost-sharing

(3) Prototype plant siting

(4) Reactor test capabilities

(5) Other Laboratory capabilities

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VI, § 642, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 795.)

§ 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.

(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 general

(B) Assistance from international partners

(D) 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 expertise

(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 review

(E) Transmittal of reports to Congress

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VI, § 643, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 795.)

§ 16024. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

(a) In general

(b) Licensing strategy

Not 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.

The Secretary shall seek the active participation of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission throughout the duration of the Project to—

(1) avoid design decisions that will compromise adequate safety margins in the design of the reactor or impair the 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.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VI, § 644, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 797.)

§ 16025. Project timelines and authorization of appropriations

(a) Target date to complete the first project phase

Not later than September 30, 2011, the Secretary shall—

(1) select the technology to be used by the Project for high-temperature hydrogen production and the initial design parameters for the prototype nuclear plant; or

(2) submit to Congress a report establishing an alternative date for making the selection.

(b) Design competition for second project phase

(1) In general

(2) Systems integration

Not 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 appropriations

There 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.

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VI, § 645, Aug. 8, 2005,