Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§16025 Project Timelines and Authorization of Appropriations

Title 42 › CHAPTER 149 — NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY AND PROGRAMS › SUBCHAPTER VI — NUCLEAR MATTERS › Part B — Next Generation Nuclear Plant Project › § 16025

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary must pick the technology for high-temperature hydrogen production and set initial design goals for the prototype nuclear plant by September 30, 2011, or send Congress a report giving a new date. The Secretary, using the Idaho National Laboratory, may fund up to four teams for up to two years to create detailed design proposals, pick one winning design for the final prototype, and can let that winning team’s lead industrial partner help with final design and construction. By September 30, 2021, the Secretary must finish building and start operating the prototype reactor and its energy or hydrogen facilities, or report a new completion date to Congress. Congress authorized $1,250,000,000 for fiscal years 2006–2015 and then whatever sums are needed for fiscal years 2016–2021, including funds that can be transferred to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for related work.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §16025

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

(a)Target date to complete the first project phase

Not later than September 30, 2011, the Secretary shall—

(1)select the technology to be used by the Project for high-temperature hydrogen production and the initial design parameters for the prototype nuclear plant; or

(2)submit to Congress a report establishing an alternative date for making the selection.

(b)Design competition for second project phase

(1)In general

The Secretary, acting through the Idaho National Laboratory, shall fund not more than 4 teams for not more than 2 years to develop detailed proposals for competitive evaluation and selection of a single proposal for a final design of the prototype nuclear reactor.

(2)Systems integration

The Secretary may structure Project activities in the second project phase to use the lead industrial partner of the competitively selected design under paragraph (1) in a systems integration role for final design and construction of the Project.

(c)Target date to complete project construction

Not later than September 30, 2021, the Secretary shall—

(1)complete construction and begin operations of the prototype nuclear reactor and associated energy or hydrogen facilities; or

(2)submit to Congress a report establishing an alternative date for completion.

(d)Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary for research and construction activities under this part (including for transfer to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for activities under section 16024 of this title as appropriate)—

(1)$1,250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2006 through 2015; and

(2)such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 16025

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110