Should the U.S. Fund More Research of Nuclear Reactor Designs? (H.R. 4084)

What is H.R. 4084?

(Updated March 11, 2021)

This bill directs the Dept. of Energy (DOE) to prioritize research and development (R&D) into advanced nuclear reactor technologies by reshaping the objectives of civilian DOE research programs. A greater emphasis would be placed on the following:

• Providing research infrastructure to promote scientific progress and enable users from academic, the National Laboratories, and the private sector to make scientific discoveries related to nuclear, chemical, and materials science engineering;

• Enabling the private sector to partner with the National Laboratories to demonstrate novel reactor concepts for the purpose of resolving technical uncertainty associated with program objectives.

The DOE would be directed to carry out a program to enhance the U.S. capability to develop new reactor technologies through high-performance computation modeling and simulation techniques. This program would coordinate with relevant federal agencies through the National Strategic Computing Initiative while taking into account objectives established by this legislation.

By December 31, 2016 the DOE would determine the mission need for a versatile reactor-based fast neutron source that operates as a national user facility. After DOE determines whether there is such a mission need, it would provide Congress with a plan to establish such a facility.

Additionally, the DOE would carry out a program to:

• Enable the testing and demonstration of reactor concepts proposed and funded by the private sector;

• Leverage the technical expertise of relevant federal agencies and national laboratories to minimize the time needed to build and operate privately funded experimental reactors at national laboratories or other DOE-owned sites.

Privately funded experimental reactors operated at national laboratories or DOE-owned sites would operate in order to:

• Enable physical validation of novel reactor concepts;

• Resolve technical uncertainty and increase practical knowledge relevant to safety, resilience, security, and functionality of first-of-a-kind reactor concepts;

• Generate research and development to improve nascent technologies.

Within 12 months of this legislation’s enactment, DOE must provide Congress with 3 specified alternative 10-year budget plans for civilian nuclear energy R&D by the DOE.

Argument in favor

By prioritizing advanced nuclear reactor technologies in the Dept. of Energy’s R&D, this bill makes it more likely that the private sector will develop safer, more efficient reactors that have increased reliability while generating less waste.

Argument opposed

The Dept. of Energy and National Laboratories shouldn’t partner with the private sector to develop advanced nuclear reactor technologies. Those resources should instead go to developing other energy-related technologies.

Impact

Private sector entities researching advanced nuclear reactor technologies; and the DOE.

Cost of H.R. 4084

The CBO estimates that implementing this bill would not significantly affect the ability of the DOE to carry out programs with its existing funding.

Additional Info

In-Depth: Sponsoring Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) introduced this bill because R&D into advanced nuclear reactors could lead to nuclear energy becoming an even safer and more efficient energy source:

“The Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act directs DOE to prioritize its R&D infrastructure on capabilities that will enable the private sector to develop advanced reactor technologies that could yield inherent safety, less waste, higher thermal efficiency, zero air emissions, increased reliability, and greater resistance to proliferation.”

This legislation was passed by the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee on a voice vote, and enjoys the support of 28 bipartisan cosponsors — including seven Democrats and 21 Republicans.

Media:

• House Energy and Science Committee Press Release
• CBO Cost Estimate
• Washington Examiner
• Los Angeles Times (Op-Ed In Favor)

Summary by Eric Revell
(Photo Credit: Flickr user dominicotine)