Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Advanced Nuclear Support Act”.
Advanced Nuclear Support Act
A BILL
To expand an advanced nuclear technologies Federal financial assistance program to provide assistance to support licensing and construction of advanced nuclear reactors and associated supply chain infrastructure, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Advanced Nuclear Technologies Federal Financial Assistance Program
Section 10781 of the Public Law 117–167 is amended—
by striking “RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION” and inserting “FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE”;
in subsection (b)(1)—
by striking “to support” and inserting “to support—”; and
by striking “the research, development, and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactors.” and inserting the following:
“(A) the research, development, and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactors; and
“(B) the commercial planning for, and licensing and construction of, advanced nuclear reactors, and supply chain infrastructure associated with advanced nuclear reactors, including—
“(i) planning for, and licensing and construction of, transmission and distribution systems;
“(ii) modernization of generation facilities;
“(iii) development of microgrids;
“(iv) planning for, and licensing and construction of, infrastructure for nonelectric applications; and
“(v) acquisition of relevant rights-of-way.”
in subsection (d)(1), by striking “, including multi-unit facilities that are partially shut down” and inserting “(including multi-unit facilities that are partially shut down), including projects involving analysis, planning, and, as appropriate, management of environmental issues at such fossil fuel electric generation facilities”;
in subsection (d)—
in paragraph (1)—
in subparagraph (A), by striking “and” after the semicolon;
in subparagraph (B), by inserting “and” after the semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(C) to reduce the cost of—
“(i) infrastructure requirements;
“(ii) transmission requirements; and
“(iii) licensing and permitting requirements;”
in paragraph (2)(G), by striking “and”;
in paragraph (3), by striking “relating to the research, development, and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactors.” and inserting “described in this section;”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(4) plan to support supply chain infrastructure, including manufacturing, associated with advanced nuclear reactors; and
“(5) plan to be cost competitive.”
by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections (f) and (g), respectively; and
by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
“(e) Secondary priority—In selecting eligible entities to receive Federal financial assistance under the program, the Secretary shall, after giving priority to eligible entities as described in subsection (d), give priority to eligible entities that plan to—
“(1) develop or provide services to support—
“(A) market analysis, including financing options within the market;
“(B) project structure models;
“(C) models for electricity market analysis; or
“(D) site planning, review, testing, analysis, and preparation for an advanced nuclear reactor; and
“(2) support licensing activities, permitting, and environmental impact studies.”
Sec. 3 Workforce capacity building
Section 954(b) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16274(b)) is amended—
in the subsection heading, by striking “Graduate”;
by striking “graduate” each place it appears;
in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting “community colleges, trade schools, registered apprenticeship programs, pre-apprenticeship programs,” after “universities,”;
in paragraph (3), by striking “2021 through 2025” and inserting “2023 through 2027”;
by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
“(3) Focus areas—In carrying out the subprogram under this subsection, the Secretary may implement traineeships in focus areas that, in the determination of the Secretary, are necessary to support the nuclear energy sector in the United States, including—
“(A) research and development;
“(B) construction and operation;
“(C) associated supply chains; and
“(D) workforce training and retraining to support transitioning workforces.”