S.Amdt. 6179

1. Rewrites section 1521

   Replaces

   In S.Amdt. 5499 as proposed

   SEC. 1521. [struck: LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR ][inserted: PROGRAM FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED ]NAVAL NUCLEAR FUEL [struck: SYSTEMS][inserted: SYSTEM] BASED ON LOW-ENRICHED URANIUM.

   Struck: (a) Limitation.-- None of the funds authorized to be appropriated for fiscal year 2023 for the National Nuclear Security Administration for the purposes of conducting research and development of an advanced naval nuclear fuel system based on low-enriched uranium may be obligated or expended until the following determinations are submitted to the congressional defense committees:

   Struck: (1) A determination made jointly by the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of Defense with respect to whether the determination made jointly by the Secretary of Energy and the Secretary of the Navy pursuant to section 3118(c)(1) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 (Public Law 114-92; 129 Stat. 1196) and submitted to the congressional defense committees on March 25, 2018, that the United States should not pursue research and development of an advanced naval nuclear fuel system based on low-enriched uranium, remains valid.

   Struck: (2) A determination by the Secretary of the Navy with respect to whether an advanced naval nuclear fuel system based on low-enriched uranium can be produced that would not reduce vessel capability, increase expense, or reduce operational availability as a result of refueling requirements.

   ([struck: b][inserted: a]) [struck: Report Required][inserted: Establishment].--Not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator for Nuclear Security shall [struck: submit to the congressional defense committees a report on activities conducted ][inserted: establish a program to assess the viability of ]using [struck: amounts made available for fiscal year 2022 for nonproliferation fuels development][inserted: low-enriched uranium in naval nuclear propulsion reactors], including [struck: a description of any progress made toward technological or nonproliferation goals as a result ][inserted: such reactors located on aircraft carriers and submarines, that meet the requirements ]of [struck: such activities][inserted: the Navy].

   Inserted: (b) Activities.--In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall carry out activities to develop an advanced naval nuclear fuel system based on low-enriched uranium, including activities relating to--

   Inserted: (1) down-blending of high-enriched uranium into low-enriched uranium;

   Inserted: (2) manufacturing of candidate advanced low-enriched uranium fuels;

   Inserted: (3) irradiation tests and post-irradiation examination of these fuels;

   Inserted: (4) modification or procurement of equipment and infrastructure relating to such activities; and

   Inserted: (5) designing naval propulsion reactors that incorporate candidate advanced low enriched uranium fuels.

   Inserted: (c) Submission of Plan.--Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the congressional defense committees a plan outlining the activities the Administrator will carry out under the program established under subsection (a), including the funding requirements associated with developing a low-enriched uranium fuel.

   Inserted: (d) Report on Performance Impact of Low-enriched Uranium Reactor Core Size.--Not later than December 15, 2022, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy, shall prepare and submit to the congressional defense committees a report assessing the feasibility and performance impact of a Virginia-Class replacement nuclear powered attack submarine that retains the anticipated hull diameter and power plant design, but leaves sufficient space for a low-enriched uranium-fueled reactor with a life of the ship core, possibly with an increased module length. The report shall assess the impact on vessel performance of the increased core size over the range of potential low-enriched uranium fuel packing densities discussed in the November 2016 JASON report JSR-16-Task-013, and compare this with the performance impact of recent adjustments of vessel lengths such as that from the Virginia Payload Module.

   Inserted: (e) Funding.--

   Inserted: (1) Increase.--Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated by title XXXI for the National Nuclear Security Administration, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4701, for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation R&D is hereby increased by $20,000,000 for the purpose of LEU Research and Development for Naval Pressurized Water Reactors.

   Inserted: (2) Offset.--Notwithstanding the amounts set forth in the funding tables in division D, the amount authorized to be appropriated by title XXXI for the National Nuclear Security Administration, as specified in the corresponding funding table in section 4701, for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation is hereby reduced--

   Inserted: (A) by $10,000,000 for the amount for nuclear smuggling detection and deterrence; and

   Show 1 more inserted paragraphShow less

   Inserted: (B) by $10,000,000 for the amount for nuclear detonation detection.

   Original wording

   Strike section 1521 and insert the following:

Read automatically from the Congressional Record. Check the original before relying on it.

As printed