S. 2812

Nuclear Power 2021 Act

Latest

II

Calendar No. 600

111th CONGRESS

2d Session

S. 2812

[Report No. 111–314]

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

November 20, 2009

Mr. Bingaman (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Udall of Colorado, Mr. Pryor, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Risch, and Mr. Crapo) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

September 27, 2010

Reported by Mr. Bingaman, with amendments

Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic

A BILL

To amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Secretary of Energy to carry out programs to develop and demonstrate 2 small modular nuclear reactor designs, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Nuclear Power 2021 Act.

2.

Nuclear power 2021 initiative

Section 952 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16272) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(f)

Nuclear power 2021 initiative

(1)

Definitions

In this subsection:

(A)

Combined license

The term combined license has the meaning given the term in section 52.1 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).

(B)

Design certification

The term design certification has the meaning given the term in section 52.1 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).

(C)

Early site permit

The term early site permit has the meaning given the term in section 52.1 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation).

(C)

(D) Small modular reactor

The term small modular reactor means a nuclear reactor—

(i)

with a rated capacity of less than 300 electrical megawatts; and

(ii)

that can be constructed and operated in combination with similar reactors at a single site.

(2)

Duty of Secretary

The Secretary shall carry out, through cooperative agreements with private sector partners—

(A)

a program—

(i)

to develop a standard design for each of 2 small modular reactors, at least 1 of which has a rated capacity of not more than 50 electrical megawatts; and

(ii)

to obtain a design certification from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for each of the 2 standard designs by January 1, 2018; and

(B)

a program to demonstrate the licensing of small modular reactors by—

(i)

developing applications for a combined license for each of the designs certified pursuant to subparagraph (A); and

(ii)

obtaining a combined license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for each of the designs by January 1, 2021.2021; and

(C)

a program to obtain an early site permit for 2 sites for 1 or more small modular reactors.

(3)

Merit review of proposals

The Secretary shall select proposals for cooperative agreements under this subsection—

(A)

on the basis of an impartial review of the scientific and technical merit of the proposals; and

(B)

through the use of competitive procedures.

(4)

Technical considerations

In evaluating proposals, the Secretary shall take into account the efficiency, cost, safety, and proliferation resistance of competing reactor designs.

(5)

Cost-share requirements

(A)

Design development

Notwithstanding section 988, the Secretary shall require that not less than 50 percent of the cost of the development of each small modular reactor design under paragraph (2)(A)(2)(A), and each early site permit under paragraph (2)(C), be provided by a non-Federal source.

(B)

Licensing demonstration

Notwithstanding section 988, the Secretary shall require that not less than 75 percent of the cost of the licensing demonstration of each small modular reactor design under paragraph (2)(B) be provided by a non-Federal source.

(C)

Calculation of amount

Non-Federal contributions under this subsection shall be calculated in accordance with section 988(d).

.

September 27, 2010

Reported with amendments