42 U.S.C. § 19351 | Advanced nuclear technologies Federal research, development, and demonstration program

(a)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Advanced nuclear reactor

section 16271(b) of this titleThe term “advanced nuclear reactor” has the meaning given the term in .

(2)

Eligible entity

The term “eligible entity” means each of—

(A)

a State;

(B)

section 5304 of title 25 an Indian Tribe (as defined in );

(C)

section 5304 of title 25 a Tribal organization (as defined in );

(D)

a unit of local government;

(E)

section 796 of title 16 an electric utility (as defined in );

(F)

section 15801 of this title a National Laboratory (as defined in );

(G)

section 1001(a) of title 20 an institution of higher education (as defined in ); and

(H)

a private entity specializing in—

(i)

advanced nuclear technology development;

(ii)

nuclear supply chains; or

(iii)

with respect to nuclear technologies and nonelectric applications of nuclear technologies, construction, project financing, contract structuring and risk allocation, or regulatory and licensing processes.

(3)

Program

The term “program” means the program established under subsection (b)(1).

(4)

Secretary

The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Energy.

(b)

Establishment of program

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall establish a program to provide Federal financial assistance to eligible entities to support the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors and associated supply chain infrastructure.

(2)

Competitive procedures

section 16353 of this titleTo the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall carry out the program using a competitive, merit-based review process that is consistent with .

(c)

Applications

An eligible entity desiring Federal financial assistance under the program shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(d)

Priority

In selecting eligible entities to receive Federal financial assistance under the program, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that—

(1)

plan to carry out projects at or near the site of 1 or more fossil fuel electric generation facilities that are retired or scheduled to retire, including multi-unit facilities that are partially shut down—

(A)

to support the productive reuse of fossil fuel electric generation facilities that are retired or scheduled to retire; and

(B)

to sustain and revitalize communities impacted by the closure of fossil fuel electric generation facilities;

(2)

plan to support nonelectric applications, including supplying heat for—

(A)

energy storage;

(B)

hydrogen or other liquid and gaseous fuel or chemical production;

(C)

industrial processes;

(D)

desalination technologies and processes;

(E)

isotope production;

(F)

district heating; and

(G)

other applications, as the Secretary determines to be appropriate; and

(3)

have implemented or demonstrated the ability to successfully implement workforce training or retraining programs to train workers to perform activities relating to the research, development, and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactors.

(e)

Cost share

Section 16352 of this title shall apply to Federal financial assistance provided under the program.

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

In addition to amounts otherwise available, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the program—

(1)

$75,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;

(2)

$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;

(3)

$150,000,000 for fiscal year 2025;

(4)

$225,000,000 for fiscal year 2026; and

(5)

$250,000,000 for fiscal year 2027.

Pub. L. 117–167, div. B, title VI, § 10781Aug. 9, 2022136 Stat. 1728 Pub. L. 118–31, div. C, title XXXI, § 3131(p)(1)Dec. 22, 2023137 Stat. 803(, , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 118–312023—Subsec. (b)(1). substituted “demonstration, and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors and associated supply chain infrastructure” for “and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactors”.