---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18751"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18751"
heading: "Infrastructure planning for micro and small modular nuclear reactors"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18751"
units:
  - "Chapter 162 — Energy Infrastructure"
  - "Subchapter III — Fuels and Technology Infrastructure Investments"
  - "Part A — Nuclear Energy Infrastructure"
---

# §18751. Infrastructure planning for micro and small modular nuclear reactors

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Advanced nuclear reactor—** The term “advanced nuclear reactor” has the meaning given the term in [section 16271(b) of this title](/usc/42/16271.md?p=b).
  - (2) **Isolated community—** The term “isolated community” has the meaning given the term in [section 17392(a) of this title](/usc/42/17392.md?p=a).
  - (3) **Micro-reactor—** The term “micro-reactor” means an advanced nuclear reactor that has an electric power production capacity that is not greater than 50 megawatts.
  - (4) **National Laboratory—** The term “National Laboratory” has the meaning given the term in [section 15801 of this title](/usc/42/15801.md).
  - (5) **Small modular reactor—** The term “small modular reactor” means an advanced nuclear reactor—
    - (A) with a rated capacity of less than 300 electrical megawatts; and
    - (B) that can be constructed and operated in combination with similar reactors at a single site.
- (b) **Report—** Not later than 180 days after November 15, 2021, the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committees on Energy and Commerce and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives a report that describes how the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) could enhance energy resilience and reduce carbon emissions with the use of micro-reactors and small modular reactors.
- (c) **Elements—** The report required by [subsection (b)](#b) shall address the following:
  - (1) An evaluation by the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) of current resilience and carbon reduction requirements for energy for facilities of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) to determine whether changes are needed to address—
    - (A) the need to provide uninterrupted power to facilities of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) for at least 3 days during power grid failures;
    - (B) the need for protection against cyber threats and electromagnetic pulses; and
    - (C) resilience to extreme natural events, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, tornados, hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, lahars, landslides, seiches, a large quantity of snowfall, and very low or high temperatures.
  - (2) A strategy of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) for using nuclear energy to meet resilience and carbon reduction goals of facilities of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1).
  - (3) A strategy to partner with private industry to develop and deploy micro-reactors and small modular reactors to remote communities in order to replace diesel generation and other fossil fuels.
  - (4) An assessment by the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) of the value associated with enhancing the resilience of a facility of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) by transitioning to power from micro-reactors and small modular reactors and to co-located nuclear facilities with the capability to provide dedicated power to the facility of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) during a grid outage or failure.
  - (5) The plans of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1)—
    - (A) for deploying a micro-reactor and a small modular reactor to produce energy for use by a facility of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) in the United States by 2026;
    - (B) for deploying a small modular reactor to produce energy for use by a facility of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) in the United States by 2029; and
    - (C) to include micro-reactors and small modular reactors in the planning for meeting future facility energy needs.
- (d) **Financial and technical assistance for siting micro-reactors, small modular reactors, and advanced nuclear reactors—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) shall offer financial and technical assistance to entities to conduct feasibility studies for the purpose of identifying suitable locations for the deployment of micro-reactors, small modular reactors, and advanced nuclear reactors in isolated communities.
  - (2) **Requirement—** Prior to providing financial and technical assistance under [paragraph (1)](#d-1), the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) shall conduct robust community engagement and outreach for the purpose of identifying levels of interest in isolated communities.
  - (3) **Limitation—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) shall not disburse more than 50 percent of the amounts available for financial assistance under this subsection to the National Laboratories.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40321, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1016.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of this title.