
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC13492]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                       CHAPTER 134--ENERGY POLICY
 
                  SUBCHAPTER IX--ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
 
                    Part C--Advanced Nuclear Reactors
 
Sec. 13492. Program, goals, and plan


(a) Program direction

    The Secretary shall conduct a program to encourage the deployment of 
advanced nuclear reactor technologies that to the maximum extent 
practicable--
        (1) are cost effective in comparison to alternative sources of 
    commercial electric power of comparable availability and 
    reliability, taking into consideration life cycle environmental 
    costs;
        (2) facilitate the design, licensing, construction, and 
    operation of a nuclear powerplant using a standardized design;
        (3) exhibit enhanced safety features; and
        (4) incorporate features that advance the objectives of the 
    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978 [22 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.].

(b) Program goals

    The goals of the program established under subsection (a) of this 
section shall include--
        (1) for the near-term--
            (A) to facilitate the completion, by September 30, 1996, for 
        certification by the Commission, of standardized advanced light 
        water reactor technology designs that the Secretary determines 
        have the characteristics described in subsection (a)(1) through 
        (4) of this section;
            (B) to facilitate the completion of submissions, by 
        September 30, 1996, for preliminary design approvals by the 
        Commission of standardized designs for the modular high-
        temperature gas-cooled reactor technology and the liquid metal 
        reactor technology; and
            (C) to evaluate by September 30, 1996, actinide burn 
        technology to determine if it can reduce the volume of long-
        lived fission byproducts;

        (2) for the mid-term--
            (A) to facilitate increased efficiency of enhanced safety, 
        advanced light water reactors to produce electric power at the 
        lowest cost to the customer;
            (B) to develop advanced reactor concepts that are passively 
        safe and environmentally acceptable; and
            (C) to complete necessary research and development on high-
        temperature gas-cooled reactor technology and liquid metal 
        reactor technology to support the selection, by September 30, 
        1998, of one or both of those technologies as appropriate for 
        prototype demonstration; and

        (3) for the long-term, to complete research and development and 
    demonstration to support the design of advanced reactor technologies 
    capable of providing electric power to a utility grid as soon as 
    practicable but no later than the year 2010.

(c) Program plan

    Within 180 days after October 24, 1992, the Secretary shall prepare 
and submit to the Congress a 5-year program plan to guide the activities 
under this section. The program plan shall include schedule milestones, 
Federal funding requirements, and non-Federal cost sharing requirements. 
In preparing the program plan, the Secretary shall take into 
consideration--
        (1) the need for, and the potential for future adoption by 
    electric utilities or other entities of, advanced nuclear reactor 
    technologies that are available, under development, or have the 
    potential for being developed, for the generation of energy from 
    nuclear fission;
        (2) how the Federal Government, acting through the Secretary, 
    can be effective in ensuring the availability of such technologies 
    when they are needed;
        (3) how the Federal Government can most effectively cooperate 
    with the private sector in the accomplishment of the goals set forth 
    in subsection (b) of this section; and
        (4) potential alternative funding sources for carrying out this 
    section.

In preparing the program plan, the Secretary shall consult with 
appropriate representatives of industry, institutions of higher 
education, Federal agencies, including national laboratories, and 
professional and technical societies. The Secretary shall update the 
program plan annually and submit such update to Congress. Each such 
update shall describe any activities that are behind schedule, any 
funding shortfalls, and any other circumstances that might affect the 
ability of the Secretary to meet the goals set forth in subsection (b) 
of this section.

(Pub. L. 102-486, title XXI, Sec. 2122, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3082.)

                       References in Text

    The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. 
(a)(4), is Pub. L. 95-242, Mar. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 120, as amended, 
which is classified principally to chapter 47 (Sec. 3201 et seq.) of 
Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse. For complete classification 
of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3201 
of Title 22 and Tables.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 13493 of this title.
