House Democrats Release Draft of Clean Energy Bill

September 15, 2020

House Democrats Release Draft of Clean Energy Bill

September 15, 2020

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: