Sec. 7. Enabling nuclear energy innovation
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The Secretary may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to establish a center to be known as the National Nuclear Innovation Center (referred to in this section as the Center )— to enable the testing and demonstration of reactor concepts to be proposed and funded, in whole or in part, by the private sector; to establish and operate a database to store and share data and knowledge on nuclear science between Federal agencies and private industry; and to establish capabilities to develop and test reactor electric and nonelectric integration and energy conversion systems.
In operating the Center, the Secretary shall— consult with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on safety issues; and permit staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to actively observe and learn about the technology being developed at the Center. A reactor developed under subsection (a)(1) shall have the following objectives: Enabling physical validation of fusion and advanced fission experimental reactors at the National Laboratories or other facilities of the Department. Resolving technical uncertainty and increase practical knowledge relevant to safety, resilience, security, and functionality of novel reactor concepts.
Conducting general research and development to improve novel reactor technologies. In operating the Center, the Secretary shall leverage the technical expertise of relevant Federal agencies and National Laboratories— to minimize the time required to carry out subsection (c); and to ensure reasonable safety for individuals working at the National Laboratories or other facilities of the Department to carry out that subsection. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the National Laboratories, relevant Federal agencies, and other stakeholders, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report assessing the capabilities of the Department to authorize, host, and oversee privately proposed and funded reactors (as described in subsection (a)(1)).
The report shall address— the safety review and oversight capabilities of the Department, including options to leverage expertise from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Laboratories; potential sites capable of hosting the activities described in subsection (a); the efficacy of the available contractual mechanisms of the Department to partner with the private sector and other Federal agencies, including cooperative research and development agreements, strategic partnership projects, and agreements for commercializing technology; how the Federal Government and the private sector will address potential intellectual property concerns; potential cost structures relating to physical security, decommissioning, liability, and other long-term project costs; and other challenges or considerations identified by the Secretary.