Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73not60

§18936 Neutron Scattering

Title 42 › Chapter 163— RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, COMPETITION, AND INNOVATION › Subchapter II— NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THE FUTURE › Part A— Measurement Research › § 18936

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Director must make a strategic plan for the future of the NIST Center for Neutron Research after the current reactor is decommissioned. The plan must lay out what will replace the reactor with a schedule and key milestones, give a basic design for a new reactor and any needed buildings, and explain how to keep users’ research and services running with as little disruption as possible. The Secretary, through the Director, must work with the Secretary of Energy to estimate long‑term needs for neutron research and help plan future facilities to meet those needs. The Director must send the plan to Congress no later than 30 months after August 9, 2022, and must notify Congress of any major updates in later years.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §18936

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

(a)The Director shall develop a strategic plan for the future of the NIST Center for Neutron Research after the current neutron reactor is decommissioned, including—

(1)a succession plan for the reactor, including a roadmap with timeline and milestones;

(2)conceptual design of a new reactor and accompanying facilities, as appropriate; and

(3)a plan to minimize disruptions to the user community during the transition.

(b)The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall coordinate with the Secretary of Energy on issues related to Federal support for neutron science, including estimation of long-term needs for research using neutron sources, and planning efforts for future facilities to meet such needs.

(c)Not later than 30 months after August 9, 2022, the Director shall submit to Congress the plan required under subsection (a), and shall notify Congress of any substantial updates to such plan in subsequent years.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 18936

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60