§13492 Program, goals, and plan

Summary

The Secretary must run a program to encourage advanced nuclear reactors that, as much as possible, are cheaper than other reliable power sources when life‑cycle environmental costs are counted, use a standardized design to make licensing and construction easier, have better safety, and include features that support the goals of the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Act of 1978. Near‑term goals (by September 30, 1996) are to finish certification of standardized advanced light‑water reactor designs, submit modular high‑temperature gas‑cooled and liquid‑metal reactor designs for preliminary approval, and evaluate actinide‑burning technology to see if it can cut long‑lived waste. Mid‑term goals include making enhanced‑safety light‑water reactors cost‑efficient, developing passively safe and environmentally acceptable concepts, and finishing R&D so one or both alternate reactor types can be chosen for prototype demos by September 30, 1998. The long‑term goal is to complete R&D and demonstrations so advanced reactors can supply power to the grid as soon as practical but no later than 2010. Within 180 days after October 24, 1992, the Secretary must send Congress a 5‑year program plan with schedule milestones, federal funding needs, and non‑federal cost‑sharing. The plan must consider the need and likely utility use of these technologies, how the federal government can make them available when needed, how to work with the private sector, and other possible funding sources.