Sec. 2. Findings; sense of Congress
458 words·~2 min read·
/bill/117/hr/8611/ih/section-2A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress finds that— natural disasters often cause loss of life, human suffering, loss of income, and property loss and damage; natural disasters often disrupt the normal functioning of governments and communities and adversely affect individuals and families with great severity; and special measures, designed to assist with and supplement natural disaster response efforts, such as replacing the wide utilization of diesel generators with microreactors when responding to the impacts of a natural disaster, are necessary and worthwhile for the wellbeing of the United States.
It is the sense of Congress that Congress should support the utilization of nuclear energy, with a priority for nuclear energy generated by microreactors, during natural disaster response efforts because of the following considerations: Nuclear energy generated by a microreactor provides a safe form of consistent and reliable electricity that is generally sought when responding to the impacts of natural disasters. Nuclear energy that is generated by microreactors— is the cleanest, rapidly deployable source of energy available that can provide uninterrupted power to assist with natural disaster response efforts; and can be used to augment diesel-generated power during national disaster response efforts.
The generation of electricity from microreactors emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the generation of electricity from other sources of electricity. Microreactors can be easily transported and carried by aircraft, semi-trucks, or shipping vessels to timely provide electricity upon demand to an area that is impacted by a natural disaster. Microreactors can be operated autonomously, which avoids the need for on-site operators in an area that is impacted by a natural disaster.
Microreactors can be operated for several years without being refueled, which avoids logistical challenges associated with refueling other power sources, including diesel generators, in an area that is impacted by a natural disaster. With approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, microreactors can be— mass produced in factories around the United States; and mass deployed to assist with natural disaster response efforts. Nuclear energy generated by a microreactor can be used to help restore electrical grids by providing temporary power and spot generation for critical electricity generating facilities while grid repairs take place.
Microreactors can— power lifesaving and life-sustaining facilities, such as hospitals; power mass transit systems and water quality treatment plants; power large pumps that are often used to remove water from an impacted area; and support the operation of local, State, and Federal facilities in the event that a natural disaster severely impacts such facilities and results in the loss of electricity for such facilities. After providing electricity to an area that is impacted by a natural disaster, microreactors can be easily transported out of the area to other locations where they are needed or to standby storage locations until deployment to assist with future natural disaster response efforts.