---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 16025"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "16025"
heading: "Project timelines and authorization of appropriations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/16025"
units:
  - "Chapter 149 — National Energy Policy and Programs"
  - "Subchapter VI — Nuclear Matters"
  - "Part B — Next Generation Nuclear Plant Project"
---

# §16025. Project timelines and authorization of appropriations

- (a) **Target date to complete the first project phase—** Not later than September 30, 2011, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall—
  - (1) select the technology to be used by the [Project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) for high-temperature hydrogen production and the initial design parameters for the prototype nuclear plant; or
  - (2) submit to Congress a report establishing an alternative date for making the selection.
- (b) **Design competition for second project phase—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4), acting through the Idaho [National Laboratory](/usc/42/15801.md?p=3), shall fund not more than 4 teams for not more than 2 years to develop detailed proposals for competitive evaluation and selection of a single proposal for a final design of the prototype nuclear reactor.
  - (2) **Systems integration—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) may structure [Project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) activities in the second [project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12) phase to use the lead industrial partner of the competitively selected design under [paragraph (1)](#b-1) in a systems integration role for final design and [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) of the [Project](/usc/42/16371.md?p=12).
- (c) **Target date to complete project construction—** Not later than September 30, 2021, the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) shall—
  - (1) complete [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) and begin operations of the prototype nuclear reactor and associated energy or hydrogen facilities; or
  - (2) submit to Congress a report establishing an alternative date for completion.
- (d) **Authorization of appropriations—** There is authorized to be appropriated to the [Secretary](/usc/42/15801.md?p=4) for research and [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) activities under this part (including for transfer to the Nuclear Regulatory [Commission](/usc/42/16451.md?p=3) for activities under [section 16024 of this title](/usc/42/16024.md) as appropriate)—
  - (1) $1,250,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2006 through 2015; and
  - (2) such sums as are necessary for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2021.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 109–58, title VI, § 645, Aug. 8, 2005, 119 Stat. 798.)