§16025 Project timelines and authorization of appropriations

Summary

The Secretary must pick the technology for high-temperature hydrogen production and set the first design choices for the prototype nuclear plant by September 30, 2011. If the Secretary cannot meet that date, a report with a new date must be sent to Congress. Through the Idaho National Laboratory, the Secretary will pay up to four teams for up to two years to make detailed proposals, pick one final design, and may put the chosen project's lead industrial partner in charge of systems integration for the final design and construction. The Secretary must finish building and start operating the prototype reactor and its energy or hydrogen facilities by September 30, 2021, or report a new date to Congress. Congress authorized $1,250,000,000 for research and construction for fiscal years 2006 through 2015, and authorized whatever amounts are needed for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021. Those funds may include transfers to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for related activities under section 16024.