,,ii #aadth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bgie ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,april #ac1 #bjaf ,mr4 ,inhofe 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,booker1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 and ,mr4 ,crapo7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works ,a ,,bill ,to modernize the regulation of nuclear energy4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,nuclear ,energy ,innovation and ,modernization ,act4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 the safe and secure operation of nuclear reactors in the ,united ,states must remain the paramount focus of the ,nuclear ,regulatory ,commission2 7#b7 the existing fleet of nuclear reactors in the ,united ,states is operating safely and securely2 7#c7 nuclear energy is the largest source of affordable1 reliable1 emissions-free energy in the ,united ,states1 providing approximately #bj percent of the electricity consumed in the ,united ,states and #fj percent of emissions-free electricity generation in the ,united ,states2 7#d7 a #a1jjj-megawatt nuclear plant-- 7,a7 provides approximately #ejj permanent jobs2 7,b7 pays approximately #dj1jjj1jjj annually in wages2 7,c7 generates approximately #dgj1jjj1jjj annually in goods and services in the local community2 and 7,d7 pays approximately #hc1jjj1jjj annually in ,federal1 ,state1 and local taxes2 7#e7 nuclear energy is of critical importance to ,united ,states energy security and worldwide influence on nonproliferation2 7#f7 nuclear energy uses widely available fuel resources to enable scientific progress1 emissions-free and reliable electricity generation1 heat generation for industrial applications1 and power for deep space exploration2 7#g7 the private sector1 the ,national ,laboratories 7as defined in section #b of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja771 and institutions of higher education are pursuing innovations in nuclear energy technology that will play a crucial role in-- 7,a7 the future global and ,united ,states energy supply2 and 7,b7 the exports1 manufacturing1 and economy of the ,united ,states2 7#h7 eventual deployment of commercial advanced nuclear reactors will require-- 7,a7 modernizing the regulatory framework2 and 7,b7 making other necessary changes to facilitate the efficient1 predictable1 and affordable deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies2 7#i7 #b impediments to the commercialization of advanced nuclear reactors are the high costs and long durations associated with applying the existing nuclear regulatory framework to advanced nuclear reactors2 7#aj7 license application reviews should be as predictable and efficient as practicable without compromising safety or security2 7#aa7 the existing nuclear regulatory framework and the requirements of that framework have not adapted to advances in scientific understanding or the features and performance characteristics of advanced nuclear reactor designs2 7#ab7 the existing nuclear reactor licensing process does not provide iterative feedback to manage risk as needed for typical technology development and investment cycles2 7#ac7 a staged licensing structure that provides clear and periodic feedback to applicants on an agreed schedule will help to enable the commercialization of safer and innovative technologies that will benefit the economy1 national security1 and environment of the ,united ,states2 7#ad7 a technology-inclusive ,commission regulatory framework will-- 7,a7 allow greater technological innovation2 and 7,b7 enable inventors1 scientists1 engineers1 and students to pursue licensing advanced reactor concepts2 7#ae7 further preparation by the ,commission of the research and test reactor licensing process will enable the ,commission to more efficiently process applications for research and test reactors when the applications are received2 7#af7 it is incumbent on the ,commission-- 7,a7 to budget for adequate resources to conduct licensing reviews and other work requested by licensees and applicants2 and 7,b7 to preserve those budgeted funds to ensure responsiveness to licensees and applicants in recognition of the dependence of the licensees and applicants on ,commission approval before the benefits of the technology of the licensees and applicants can be realized2 and 7#ag7 both prospective commercial advanced nuclear reactor applicants and the existing fleet of nuclear reactors in the ,united ,states would benefit from modernizing the outdated fee recovery structure of the ,commission to better manage fluctuations in workload and the number of licensees in a fair and equitable manner4 #c4 ,purpose ,the purpose of this ,act is to provide-- 7#a7 a program to develop the expertise and regulatory processes necessary to allow innovation and the commercialization of advanced nuclear reactors2 and 7#b7 a revised fee recovery structure to ensure the availability of resources to meet industry needs without burdening existing licensees unfairly for inaccurate workload projections or premature existing reactor closures4 #d4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,advanced nuclear reactor ,the term advanced nuclear reactor means a nuclear fission or fusion reactor1 including a prototype plant 7as defined in sections #ej4b and #eb4a of title #aj1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations71 with significant improvements over existing commercial nuclear reactors1 including improvements such as-- 7,a7 additional inherent safety features2 7,b7 lower waste yields2 7,c7 greater fuel utilization2 7,d7 enhanced reliability2 7,e7 increased proliferation resistance2 7,f7 increased thermal efficiency2 or 7,g7 ability to integrate into electric and nonelectric applications4 7#b7 ,agreement ,state ,the term ,agreement ,state means any ,state with which the ,commission has entered into an effective agreement under section #bgd b4 of the ,atomic ,energy ,act of #aied 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bjba7;b774 7#c7 ,applicant ,the term applicant means an applicant for a license1 certification1 permit1 or other form of approval from the ,commission for a commercial advanced nuclear reactor or a research and test reactor4 7#d7 ,appropriate congressional committees ,the term appropriate congressional committees means the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#e7 ,commission ,the term ,commission means the ,nuclear ,regulatory ,commission4 7#f7 ,corporate support costs ,the term corporate support costs means expenditures for acquisitions1 administrative services1 financial management1 human resource management1 information management1 information technology1 policy support1 outreach1 and training1 as those categories are described and calculated in ,appendix ,a of the ,congressional ,budget ,justification for ,fiscal ,year #bjag of the ,commission4 7#g7 ,licensing project plan ,the term licensing project plan means a plan that describes-- 7,a7 the interactions between an applicant and the ,commission2 and 7,b7 project schedules and deliverables in specific detail to support long-range resource planning undertaken by the ,commission and an applicant4 7#h7 ,regulatory framework ,the term regulatory framework means the framework for reviewing requests for certifications1 permits1 approvals1 and licenses for nuclear power plants4 7#i7 ,requested activity of the ,commission ,the term requested activity of the ,commission means-- 7,a7 the processing of applications for-- 7i7 design certifications or approvals2 7ii7 licenses2 7iii7 permits2 7iv7 license amendments2 7v7 license renewals2 7vi7 certificates of compliance2 and 7vii7 power uprates2 and 7,b7 any other activity requested by a licensee or applicant4 7#aj7 ,research and test reactor 7,a7 ,in general ,the term research and test reactor means a reactor that-- 7i7 falls within the licensing and related regulatory authority of the ,commission under section #bjb of the ,energy ,reorganization ,act of #aigd 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ehdb72 and 7ii7 is useful in the conduct of research and development activities as licensed under section #ajd c4 of the ,atomic ,energy ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bacd7;c774 7,b7 ,exclusion ,the term research and test reactor does not include a commercial advanced nuclear reactor4 7#aa7 ,standard design approval ,the term standard design approval means the approval of a final standard design or a major portion of a final design standard as described in subpart ,e of part #eb of title #aj1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations4 7#ab7 ,statement of licensing feasibility ,the term statement of licensing feasibility means an early-stage review by the ,commission that-- 7,a7 assesses preliminary design information for consistency with applicable regulatory requirements of the ,commission2 7,b7 is performed on a set of topic areas agreed to in the licensing project plan2 and 7,c7 is performed at a cost and schedule agreed to in the licensing project plan4 7#ac7 ,technology-inclusive regulatory framework ,the term technology-inclusive regulatory framework means a regulatory framework developed using methods of evaluation that are flexible and practicable for application to a variety of reactor technologies1 including the use of risk-informed and performance-based techniques and other tools and methods4 7#ad7 ,topical report ,the term topical report means a document submitted to the ,commission that addresses a technical topic related to nuclear power plant safety or design4 #e4 ,nuclear ,regulatory ,commission user fees and annual charges through fiscal year #bjah 7a7 ,in general ,section #faja7;c77#b77;,a7 of the ,omnibus ,budget ,reconciliation ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bbad7;c77#b77;,a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in clause 7iii71 by striking and at the end2 7#b7 in clause 7iv71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7v7 amounts appropriated to the ,commission for the fiscal year for activities related to the development of a regulatory framework for advanced nuclear reactor technologies1 including activities required under section #g of the ,nuclear ,energy ,innovation and ,modernization ,act4 4 7b7 ,repeal ,effective ,october #a1 #bjah1 section #faja of the ,omnibus ,budget ,reconciliation ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bbad7 is repealed4 #f4 ,nuclear ,regulatory ,commission user fees and annual charges for fiscal year #bjai and each fiscal year thereafter 7a7 ,annual budget justification 7#a7 ,in general ,in the annual budget justification submitted by the ,commission to ,congress1 the ,commission shall expressly identify anticipated expenditures necessary for completion of the requested activities of the ,commission anticipated to occur during the applicable fiscal year4 7#b7 ,restriction ,budget authority granted to the ,commission for purposes of the requested activities of the ,commission shall be used solely for conducting requested activities of the ,commission4 7#c7 ,limitation on corporate support costs ,with respect to the annual budget justification submitted to ,congress1 corporate support costs1 to the maximum extent practicable1 shall not exceed the following percentages of the total budget authority of the ,commission requested in the annual budget justification3 7,a7 #cj percent for each of fiscal years #bjai and #bjbj4 7,b7 #bi percent for each of fiscal years #bjba and #bjbb4 7,c7 #bh percent for fiscal year #bjbc and each fiscal year thereafter4 7b7 ,fees and charges 7#a7 ,annual assessment 7,a7 ,in general ,each fiscal year1 the ,commission shall assess and collect fees and charges in accordance with paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c7 in a manner that ensures that1 to the maximum extent practicable1 the amount collected is equal to an amount that approximates-- 7i7 the total budget authority of the ,commission for that fiscal year2 less 7ii7 the budget authority of the ,commission for the activities described in subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,excluded activities described ,the activities referred to in subparagraph 7,a77ii7 are the following3 7i7 ,an activity not attributable to an existing ,,nrc licensee or class of licensee1 including those activities identified by the ,commission in ,table ,,iii of the final rule of the ,commission entitled ,revision of ,fee ,schedules2 ,fee ,recovery for ,fiscal ,year #bjae 7#hj ,fed4 ,reg4 #cgdcb 7,june #cj1 #bjae774 7ii7 ,amounts appropriated for a fiscal year to the ,commission-- 7,i7 from the ,nuclear ,waste ,fund established under section #cjb7;c7 of the ,nuclear ,waste ,policy ,act of #aihb 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ajbbb7;c772 7,,ii7 for implementation of section #caaf of the ,ronald ,w4 ,reagan ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjje 7#ej ,u4,s4,c4 #bfja note2 ,public ,law #ajh-cge72 7,,iii7 for the homeland security activities of the ,commission 7other than for the costs of fingerprinting and background checks required under section #adi of the ,atomic ,energy ,act of #aied 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bafi7 and the costs of conducting security inspections72 7,,iv7 for the ,inspector ,general services of the ,commission provided to the ,defense ,nuclear ,facilities ,safety ,board2 and 7,v7 for any other fee-relief activity described in the final rule of the ,commission entitled ,revision of ,fee ,schedules2 ,fee ,recovery for ,fiscal ,year #bjae 7#hj ,fed4 ,reg4 #cgdcb 7,june #cj1 #bjae774 7iii7 ,costs for activities related to the development of regulatory infrastructure for advanced nuclear reactor technologies1 including activities required under section #g4 7,c7 ,exception ,the exclusion described in subparagraph 7,b77iii7 shall cease to be effective on ,january #a1 #bjcj4 7,d7 ,report ,not later than ,december #ca1 #bjbh1 the ,commission shall submit to the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives a report describing the views of the ,commission on the continued appropriateness and necessity of the funding described in subparagraph 7,b77iii74 7#b7 ,fees for service or thing of value ,in accordance with section #igja of title #ca1 ,united ,states ,code1 the ,commission shall charge fees to any person who receives a service or thing of value from the ,commission to cover the costs to the ,commission of providing the service or thing of value4 7#c7 ,annual fees 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b7 and except as provided in subparagraph 7,d71 the ,commission may charge to any licensee or certificate holder of the ,commission an annual fee4 7,b7 ,cap on annual fees of certain licensees 7i7 ,in general ,the annual fee under subparagraph 7,a7 charged to an operating reactor licensee shall not exceed the annual fee amount per operating reactor licensee established in the final rule of the ,commission entitled ,revision of ,fee ,schedules2 ,fee ,recovery for ,fiscal ,year #bjae 7#hj ,fed4 ,reg4 #cgdcb 7,june #cj1 #bjae771 as may be adjusted annually by the ,commission to reflect changes in the ,consumer ,price ,index published by the ,bureau of ,labor ,statistics of the ,department of ,labor4 7ii7 ,waiver ,if the ,commission determines that the annual fee cap described in clause 7i7 may compromise the safety and security missions of the ,commission1 the ,commission shall-- 7,i7 notify the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives of the determination1 including a detailed explanation of the cause and circumstances2 and 7,,ii7 request from ,congress a #a-year waiver of the cap4 7,c7 ,amount per licensee 7i7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall establish by rule a schedule of fees fairly and equitably allocating the aggregate amount of charges described in subparagraph 7,a7 among licensees and certificate holders4 7ii7 ,requirement ,the schedule of fees under clause 7i7-- 7,i7 to the maximum extent practicable1 shall be based on the cost of providing regulatory services2 and 7,,ii7 may be based on the allocation of the resources of the ,commission among licensees or certificate holders or classes of licensees or certificate holders4 7,d7 ,exemption 7i7 ,definition of research reactor ,in this subparagraph1 the term research reactor means a nuclear reactor that-- 7,i7 is licensed by the ,commission under section #ajd c4 of the ,atomic ,energy ,act of #aied 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bacd7;c77 for operation at a thermal power level of not more than #aj megawatts2 and 7,,ii7 if licensed under subclause 7,i7 for operation at a thermal power level of more than #a megawatt1 does not contain-- 7aa7 a circulating loop through the core in which the licensee conducts fuel experiments2 7bb7 a liquid fuel loading2 or 7cc7 an experimental facility in the core in excess of #af square inches in cross-section4 7ii7 ,exemption ,subparagraph 7,a7 shall not apply to the holder of any license for a federally owned research reactor used primarily for educational training and academic research purposes4 7c7 ,performance and reporting 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall develop for the requested activities of the ,commission-- 7,a7 performance metrics2 and 7,b7 on each request1 milestone schedules4 7#b7 ,delays in issuance of final safety evaluation ,the ,executive ,director for ,operations of the ,commission shall inform the ,commission of a delay in issuance of the final safety evaluation for a requested activity of the ,commission by the completion date required by the performance metrics or milestone schedule under paragraph 7#a7 by not later than #cj days after the completion date4 7#c7 ,delays in ,issuance of final safety evaluation exceeding #ahj days ,if the final safety evaluation for the requested activity of the ,commission described in paragraph 7#b7 is not completed by the date that is #ahj days after the completion date required by the performance metrics or milestone schedule under paragraph 7#a71 the ,commission shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a timely report describing the delay1 including a detailed explanation accounting for the delay and a plan for timely completion of the final safety evaluation4 7d7 ,accurate invoicing ,with respect to invoices for fees and charges described in subsection 7b77#b71 the ,commission shall-- 7#a7 ensure appropriate management review and concurrence prior to the issuance of invoices2 7#b7 develop and implement processes to audit invoices to ensure accuracy1 transparency1 and fairness2 and 7#c7 modify regulations to ensure fair and appropriate processes to provide licensees and applicants an opportunity to efficiently dispute or otherwise seek review and correction of errors in invoices for fees and charges4 7e7 ,report ,not later than ,september #cj1 #bjbj1 the ,commission shall submit to the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,environment and ,public ,works of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,appropriations and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives a report describing the implementation of this section1 including any impacts and recommendations for improvement4 7f7 ,effective date ,this section takes effect on ,october #a1 #bjah4 #g4 ,advanced nuclear reactor program 7a7 ,licensing of commercial advanced nuclear reactors 7#a7 ,staged licensing ,for the purpose of predictable1 efficient1 and timely reviews1 not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall develop and implement1 within the existing regulatory framework1 strategies for-- 7,a7 establishing stages in the licensing process for commercial advanced nuclear reactors2 and 7,b7 developing procedures and processes for-- 7i7 using a licensing project plan2 and 7ii7 optional use of a statement of licensing feasibility4 7#b7 ,risk-informed licensing ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall develop and implement strategies for the increased use of risk-informed1 performance-based licensing evaluation techniques and guidance for commercial advanced nuclear reactors within existing regulatory frameworks1 including evaluation techniques and guidance for the resolution of the following3 7,a7 ,applicable policy issues identified during the course of review by the ,commission of a commercial advanced nuclear reactor licensing application4 7,b7 ,the issues described in ,,secy-#ic-jib and ,,secy-#ae-jgg1 including-- 7i7 licensing basis event selection and evaluation2 7ii7 source terms2 7iii7 containment performance2 and 7iv7 emergency preparedness4 7#c7 ,research and test reactor licensing ,for the purpose of predictable1 efficient1 and timely reviews1 not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall develop and implement strategies to prepare an appropriate regulatory framework for licensing research and test reactors1 including the issuance of guidance4 7#d7 ,technology-inclusive regulatory framework ,not later than ,december #ca1 #bjbc1 the ,commission shall complete a rulemaking to establish a technology-inclusive1 regulatory framework for optional use by commercial advanced nuclear reactor applicants for new reactor license applications4 7#e7 ,training and expertise ,as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall provide for staff training or the hiring of experts1 as necessary-- 7,a7 to support the activities described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#d72 and 7,b7 to support preparations-- 7i7 to conduct pre-application interactions2 and 7ii7 to review commercial advanced nuclear reactor license applications4 7#f7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,commission to carry out this subsection such sums as are necessary4 7b7 ,plan ,to establish stages in the commercial advanced nuclear reactor licensing process 7#a7 ,plan required ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for expediting and establishing stages in the licensing process for commercial advanced nuclear reactors that will allow implementation of the licensing process by not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act 7referred to in this subsection as the plan74 7#b7 ,coordination and stakeholder input ,in developing the plan1 the ,commission shall seek input from the ,secretary of ,energy1 the nuclear energy industry1 a diverse set of technology developers1 and other public stakeholders4 7#c7 ,cost and schedule estimates ,the plan shall include proposed cost estimates1 budgets1 and timeframes for implementing strategies to establish stages in the licensing process for commercial advanced nuclear reactor technologies4 7#d7 ,required evaluations ,consistent with the role of the ,commission in protecting public health and safety and common defense and security1 the plan shall evaluate-- 7,a7 7i7 the unique aspects of commercial advanced nuclear reactor licensing1 including the use of alternative coolants or alternative fuels1 operation at or near atmospheric pressure1 and the use of passive safety strategies2 and 7ii7 for the purposes of predictable1 efficient1 and timely reviews1 any associated legal1 regulatory1 and policy issues the ,commission should address with regard to the licensing of commercial advanced nuclear reactor technologies2 7,b7 options for licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactors under the regulations of the ,commission contained in title #aj1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect on the date of enactment of this ,act71 including-- 7i7 the development and use under the regulatory framework of the ,commission in effect on the date of enactment of this ,act of a licensing project plan that could establish-- 7,i7 milestones that-- 7aa7 correspond to stages of a licensing process for the specific situation of a commercial advanced nuclear reactor project2 and 7bb7 use knowledge of the ability of the ,commission to review certain design aspects2 and 7,,ii7 guidelines defining the roles and responsibilities between the ,commission and the applicant at the onset of the interaction-- 7aa7 to provide the foundation for effective communication and effective project management2 and 7bb7 to ensure efficient progress and rapid resolution of conflicts2 7ii7 the use of topical reports1 standard design approval1 and other appropriate mechanisms as tools to introduce stages into the commercial advanced nuclear reactor licensing process1 including how the licensing project plan might structure the use of those mechanisms2 7iii7 collaboration with standards-setting organizations to identify specific technical areas for which new or updated standards are needed and providing assistance if appropriate to ensure the new or updated standards are developed and finalized in a timely fashion2 7iv7 the incorporation of consensus-based codes and standards developed under clause 7iii7 into the regulatory framework-- 7,i7 to provide predictability for the regulatory processes of the ,commission2 and 7,,ii7 to ensure timely completion of specific licensing actions2 7v7 the development of a process for1 and the use of1 statements of licensing feasibility2 and 7vi7 identification of any policies and guidance for staff that will be needed to implement clauses 7i7 and 7ii72 7,c7 options for improving the efficiency1 timeliness1 and cost-effectiveness of licensing reviews of commercial advanced nuclear reactors1 including opportunities to minimize the delays that may result from any necessary amendment or supplement to an application2 7,d7 options for improving the predictability of the commercial advanced nuclear reactor licensing process1 including the evaluation of opportunities to improve the process by which application review milestones are established and met2 and 7,e7 the extent to which ,commission action or modification of policy is needed to implement any part of the plan4 7c7 ,plan ,to increase the use of risk-,informed and performance-,based evaluation techniques and regulatory guidance 7#a7 ,plan required ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for increasing the use of risk-informed and performance-based evaluation techniques and regulatory guidance in licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactors within the existing regulatory framework 7referred to in this subsection as the plan74 7#b7 ,coordination and stakeholder input ,in developing the plan1 the ,commission shall seek input from the ,secretary of ,energy1 the nuclear energy industry1 technology developers1 and other public stakeholders4 7#c7 ,cost and schedule estimate ,the plan shall include proposed cost estimates1 budgets1 and timeframes for implementing a strategy to increase the use of risk-informed and performance-based evaluation techniques and regulatory guidance in licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactors4 7#d7 ,required evaluations ,consistent with the role of the ,commission in protecting public health and safety and common defense and security1 the plan shall evaluate-- 7,a7 the ability of the ,commission to develop and implement risk-informed and performance-based licensing evaluation techniques and guidance for commercial advanced nuclear reactors within existing regulatory frameworks not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 including policies and guidance for the resolution of-- 7i7 issues relating to-- 7,i7 licensing basis event selection and evaluation2 7,,ii7 use of mechanistic source terms2 7,,iii7 containment performance2 and 7,,iv7 emergency preparedness2 and 7ii7 other policy issues previously identified2 and 7,b7 the extent to which ,commission action is needed to implement any part of the plan4 7d7 ,plan ,to complete a rulemaking ,to establish a technology-,inclusive regulatory framework for optional use by commercial advanced nuclear reactor technologies in new reactor license applications 7#a7 ,plan required ,not later than #ah months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for completing a rulemaking to establish a technology-inclusive regulatory framework for optional use by applicants in licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactor technologies in new reactor license applications 7referred to in this subsection as the plan74 7#b7 ,coordination and stakeholder input ,in developing the plan1 the ,commission shall seek input from the ,secretary of ,energy1 the nuclear energy industry1 a diverse set of technology developers1 and other public stakeholders4 7#c7 ,cost and schedule estimate ,the plan shall include proposed cost estimates1 budgets1 and timeframes for developing and implementing a technology-inclusive regulatory framework for licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactor technologies1 including completion of a rulemaking4 7#d7 ,required evaluations ,consistent with the role of the ,commission in protecting public health and safety and common defense and security1 the plan shall evaluate-- 7,a7 the ability of the ,commission to complete a rulemaking to establish a technology-inclusive regulatory framework for licensing commercial advanced nuclear reactor technologies by ,december #ca1 #bjbc2 and 7,b7 the extent to which additional legislation1 or ,commission action or modification of policy1 is needed to implement any part of the plan4 7e7 ,plan ,to prepare the research and test reactor licensing process 7#a7 ,plan required ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for preparing the licensing process for research and test reactors 7referred to in this subsection as the plan74 7#b7 ,coordination and stakeholder input ,in developing the plan1 the ,commission shall seek input from the ,secretary of ,energy1 the nuclear energy industry1 a diverse set of technology developers1 and other public stakeholders4 7#c7 ,cost and schedule estimates ,the plan shall include proposed cost estimates1 budgets1 and timeframes for preparing the licensing process for research and test reactors4 7#d7 ,required evaluations ,consistent with the role of the ,commission in protecting public health and safety and common defense and security1 the plan shall evaluate-- 7,a7 the unique aspects of research and test reactor licensing and any associated legal1 regulatory1 and policy issues the ,commission should address to prepare the licensing process for research and test reactors2 7,b7 the feasibility of developing guidelines for advanced reactor demonstrations to support the review process for advanced reactor designs1 including designs that use alternative coolants or alternative fuels1 operate at or near atmospheric pressure1 and use passive safety strategies2 and 7,c7 the extent to which ,commission action or modification of policy is needed to implement any part of the plan4 7f7 ,plan ,to enhance ,commission expertise relating to advanced nuclear reactor technologies 7#a7 ,plan required ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a plan for ensuring that the ,commission has adequate expertise1 modeling1 and simulation capabilities1 or access to those capabilities1 to support the evaluation of licensing applications for commercial advanced nuclear reactors and research and test reactors1 including applications that use alternative coolants or alternative fuels1 operate at or near atmospheric pressure1 and use passive safety strategies 7referred to in this subsection as the plan74 7#b7 ,cost and schedule estimates ,the plan shall include proposed cost estimates1 budgets1 and timeframes for acquiring or accessing the necessary expertise to support the evaluation of license applications for commercial advanced nuclear reactors and research and test reactors4 7#c7 ,annual updates to plan ,the ,commission shall-- 7,a7 update the plan on an annual basis2 and 7,b7 submit for review to the appropriate congressional committees the updated plan4 #h4 ,hearings under ,atomic ,energy ,act of #aied 7a7 ,in general ,section #ahi of the ,atomic ,energy ,act of #aied 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bbci7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection a4-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a77;,a71 by striking the second and third sentences and inserting the following3 ,on each application under section #ajc or #ajd b4 for a construction permit or an operating license1 on application under section #ajd c4 for a construction permit or an operating license for a testing facility1 and on application for an amendment to a construction permit or an operating license under those sections1 the ,commission may1 in the absence of a request for a hearing by any person whose interest may be affected and after #cj-;day notice and publication of notice in the ,federal ,register1 issue a construction permit1 an operating license1 or an amendment to a construction permit or an operating license without a hearing42 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 in the second sentence1 by striking required hearing and inserting hearing held by the ,commission under this section2 and 7#b7 in subsection b4 7#b71 by striking to begin operating and inserting to operate4 7b7 ,conforming amendments 7#a7 ,section #ahe b4 of the ,atomic ,energy ,act of #aied 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bbce7;b77 is amended in the first sentence by striking ,after holding a public hearing under section #ahi a4 7#a77;,a71 and inserting ,after holding a hearing under section #ahi a4 7#a77;,a71 or as soon as practicable if the ,commission has determined that no hearing is required to be held under that section14 7#b7 ,section #aic7;b7 of the ,atomic ,energy ,act of #aied 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bbdc7;b77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking paragraph 7#a7 and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,commission shall conduct a single adjudicatory hearing if a person whose interest may be affected by the construction and operation of a facility under sections #ec and #fc has requested a hearing regarding the licensing of the construction and operation of the facility4 2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking ,such hearing and inserting ,if a hearing is held under paragraph 7#a71 the hearing4 7c7 ,effect ,the amendments made by this section shall apply to all applications and proceedings pending before the ,commission on or after the date of enactment of this ,act4 #i4 ,advanced nuclear energy licensing cost-share grant program 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary of ,energy 7referred to in this section as the ,secretary7 shall establish a grant program to be known as the ,advanced ,nuclear ,energy ,cost-,share ,grant ,program 7referred to in this section as the program71 under which the ,secretary shall make cost-share grants to applicants for the purpose of funding a portion of the ,commission fees of the applicant for pre-application and application review activities4 7b7 ,requirement ,the ,secretary shall seek out technology diversity in making grants under the program4 7c7 ,cost-,share amount ,the ,secretary shall determine the cost-share amount for each grant4 7d7 ,use of funds ,recipients of grants under the program may use the grant funds to cover ,commission fees1 including those fees associated with-- 7#a7 developing a licensing project plan2 7#b7 obtaining a statement of licensing feasibility2 7#c7 reviewing topical reports2 and 7#d7 other pre-application and application review activities and interactions with the ,commission4 7e7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section such sums as are necessary4