42 U.S.C. § 9704: National reactor engineering…

Summary

Require the Secretary, together with the Commission and the Advisory Committee, to start a study on whether a reactor engineering simulator should be set up at a national laboratory. The main aim is to help research ways to improve and simplify light-water reactor designs by simulating how they perform in many abnormal and accident conditions. The study must look at factors like the expected benefits, how it would support the chapter’s generic safety research and development program, whether private groups could build or share costs, its value in emergencies to reduce future nuclear power plant incidents, the chance for international cooperation, and which national laboratory is best. The Secretary must send a report with conclusions and recommendations to the House Committee on Science and Technology and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by January 1, 1982.

Title 42, §9704

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

(a)Consultative requirements; purpose

The Secretary, in consultation with the Commission and the Advisory Committee, shall initiate a study of the need for and feasibility of establishing a reactor engineering simulator facility at a national laboratory, for the primary purpose of fostering research in generic design improvements and simplifications through the simulation of the performance of various types of light water reactors under a wide variety of abnormal conditions and postulated accident conditions.

(b)Applicability of relevant factors

In performing the study, the Secretary shall consider relevant factors including, but not limited to—

(1)the potential advantages that would accrue from the establishment of such a facility;

(2)the extent to which such a facility would further the generic safety research and development program established by this chapter;

(3)the extent to which such a facility can be established by nongovernmental entities;

(4)the opportunities for cost sharing by nongovernmental entities in the construction and operation of such a facility;

(5)the importance of such a facility in emergencies to limit the extent of any future nuclear powerplant excursions;

(6)the potential for international cooperation in the establishment and operation of such a facility; and

(7)the appropriate national laboratory for siting such a facility.

(c)Report to Congressional committees

The Secretary shall, by January 1, 1982, submit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report characterizing the study and the resulting conclusions and recommendations.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Science and Technology of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Jan. 5, 2011.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of certain functions from Nuclear Regulatory Commission to Chairman thereof, see Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1980, 45 F.R. 40561, 94 Stat. 3585, set out as a note under section 5841 of this title.

§9704 National Reactor Engineering Simulator Feasibility Study