Title 42The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§13491 Purposes and definitions

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 134— - ENERGY POLICY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER IX— - ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT › Part Part C— - Advanced Nuclear Reactors › § 13491

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must run civilian nuclear programs to help advanced reactors become commercially available and may support work to speed that, including on repeatable designs and passive‑safety technologies. Advanced nuclear reactor technologies — covers near‑term advanced light‑water reactors (including mid‑sized with passive safety) and other types that may need prototype tests (including high‑temperature gas‑cooled and liquid‑metal) to make commercial electric power from nuclear fission. Commission — the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Standardized design — can be used at many units or sites. Certification — the Commission’s approval of a standardized design.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §13491

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The purposes of this part are—
(1)to require the Secretary to carry out civilian nuclear programs in a way that will lead toward the commercial availability of advanced nuclear reactor technologies; and
(2)to authorize such activities to further the timely availability of advanced nuclear reactor technologies, including technologies that utilize standardized designs or exhibit passive safety features.
(b)For purposes of this part—
(1)the term “advanced nuclear reactor technologies” means—
(A)advanced light water reactors that may be commercially available in the near-term, including but not limited to mid-sized reactors with passive safety features for the generation of commercial electric power from nuclear fission; and
(B)other advanced nuclear reactor technologies that may require prototype demonstration prior to commercial availability in the mid- or long-term, including but not limited to high-temperature, gas-cooled reactors and liquid metal reactors, for the generation of commercial electric power from nuclear fission;
(2)the term “Commission” means the Nuclear Regulatory Commission;
(3)the term “standardized design” means a design for a nuclear power plant that may be utilized for a multiple number of units or a multiple number of sites; and
(4)the term “certification” means approval by the Commission of a standardized design.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This part, referred to in text, was in the original “this subtitle” meaning subtitle C of title XXI of Pub. L. 102–486, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3081, which enacted this part and amended section 12003 and 12004 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 13491

Title 42The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73