It is important to note that the Rep Flores (R-TX) HALEU bill and the Nuclear Energy Research and Development Act (starting on page 389) were included in the bill. It is a positive sign that Democratic House leadership included significant nuclear RD&D provision in the bill, particularly given nuclear was largely left out of the House July highway bill package.
House-passage of the bill, even if the bill is partisan, positions a possible lame duck compromise with the Senate Energy package. The House could spend as many as three days on this bill, with a robust suite of amendments, next week.
Overview of the nuclear sections:
Subtitle A – Fuel
Sec 4101 – Broadly, goal is to develop a program to make HALEU available.
Sec 4102 – NRC and DOE reports on regulatory updates regarding HALEU. Also has a report on alternative fuels (U-233 and Thorium).
SEC. 4103. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS for subtitle A on HALEU
4 (1) $31,500,000 for fiscal year 2021;
5 (2) $33,075,000 for fiscal year 2022;
6 (3) $34,728,750 for fiscal year 2023;
7 (4) $36,465,188 for fiscal year 2024; and
8 (5) $38,288,447 for fiscal year 2025.
Subtitle B – NELA
Changes the definition of an advanced nuclear reactor in the energy policy act
Sec 4202 – Nuclear Energy RD+D and commercialization. This authorizes multiple DOE NE programs
Reactor concepts RD+D,
- LWR sustainability
- ART
- Hybrid energy systems
Fuel Cycle R+D
- Used nuclear fuel R+D
- Advanced fuels
Universities
Page 419 – talks about VTR, and the following appropriations
22 ”(A) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
23 ”(B) $550,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
24 ”(C) $638,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
1 ”(D) $765,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
3 ”(E) $763,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.”.
Page 420 – ARDP
Fairly similar language to the FY20 appropriations. Doesn’t specifically state how many awards, just that there will be a program.
Appropriations
22 ”(1) $530,000,000 for fiscal year 2021;
23 ”(2) $680,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
24 ”(3) $680,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
25 ”(4) $680,000,000 for fiscal year 2024; and
”(5) $680,000,000 for fiscal year 2025.”.
We will continue to provide updates on this legislation.
Attachment:
