Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§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 Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Director must plan for NIST's neutron center after the reactor is shut down, including a roadmap with timeline and milestones, a conceptual design for a replacement reactor and facilities, and steps to limit disruption to users; the Secretary, through the Director, must coordinate with the Energy Secretary on long‑term federal neutron‑science needs and facility planning; and the Director must send the plan to Congress within 30 months after August 9, 2022, and report major updates.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §18936

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

(a)Strategic plan for the Institute neutron reactor (b) Coordination with the Department of Energy

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.

(c)Report to Congress

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

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110