,,ii #aaeth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cdbb ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,september #f1 #bjah ,ms4 ,murkowski 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,booker1 ,mr4 ,risch1 ,mr4 ,crapo1 ,mrs4 ,capito1 ,mr4 ,durbin1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 ,mr4 ,manchin1 and ,mr4 ,coons7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to direct the ,secretary of ,energy to establish advanced nuclear goals1 provide for a versatile1 reactor-based fast neutron source1 make available high-assay1 low-enriched uranium for research1 development1 and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactor concepts1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,nuclear ,energy ,leadership ,act4 #b4 ,authorization of long-term power purchase agreements ,section #eja7;b77#a7 of title #dj1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by striking subparagraph 7,b7 and inserting the following3 7,b7 ,public utility contracts 7i7 ,term 7,i7 ,in general ,a contract under this paragraph to purchase electricity from a public utility may be for a period of not more than #dj years4 7,,ii7 ,other public utility services ,a contract under this paragraph for a public utility service other than a service described in subclause 7,i7 may be for a period of not more than #aj years4 7ii7 ,costs ,the cost of a contract under this paragraph for any fiscal year may be paid from the appropriations for that fiscal year4 4 #c4 ,long-term nuclear power purchase agreement pilot program 7a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,b of title ,,vi of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7,public ,law #aji-eh2 #aai ,stat4 #ghb7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #fdj4 ,long-term nuclear power purchase agreement pilot program 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a pilot program for a long-term power purchase agreement4 7b7 ,requirements ,in developing the pilot program under this section1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 consult and coordinate with the heads of other ,federal departments and agencies that may benefit from purchasing nuclear power for a period of longer than #aj years1 including-- 7,a7 the ,secretary of ,defense2 and 7,b7 the ,secretary of ,homeland ,security2 and 7#b7 not later than ,december #ca1 #bjbc1 enter into at least #a agreement to purchase power from a commercial nuclear reactor4 7c7 ,factors for consideration 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary shall give special consideration to power purchase agreements for first-of-a-kind or early deployment nuclear technologies that can provide reliable and resilient power to high-value assets for national security purposes or other purposes as the ,secretary determines to be in the national interest1 especially in remote off-grid scenarios or grid-connected scenarios that can provide capabilities commonly known as islanding power capabilities during an emergency scenario4 7#b7 ,effect on rates ,an agreement to purchase power under this section may be at a rate that is higher than the average market rate1 if the agreement fulfills an applicable consideration described in paragraph 7#a74 4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7,public ,law #aji-eh2 #aai ,stat4 #eid7 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #fci the following3 ,sec4 #fdj4 ,long-term nuclear power purchase agreement pilot program4 4 #d4 ,advanced nuclear reactor research and development goals 7a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,e of title ,,ix of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afbga et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #ieh4 ,advanced nuclear reactor research and development goals 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,advanced nuclear reactor ,the term advanced nuclear reactor means-- 7,a7 a nuclear fission reactor1 including a prototype plant 7as defined in sections #ej4b and #eb4a of title #aj1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or successor regulations771 with significant improvements compared to the most recent generation of fission reactors1 including improvements such as-- 7i7 additional inherent safety features2 7ii7 lower waste yields2 7iii7 improved fuel performance2 7iv7 increased tolerance to loss of fuel cooling2 7v7 enhanced reliability2 7vi7 increased proliferation resistance2 7vii7 increased thermal efficiency2 7viii7 reduced consumption of cooling water2 7ix7 the ability to integrate into electric applications and nonelectric applications2 7x7 modular sizes to allow for deployment that corresponds with the demand for electricity2 or 7xi7 operational flexibility to respond to changes in demand for electricity and to complement integration with intermittent renewable energy2 and 7,b7 a fusion reactor4 7#b7 ,demonstration project ,the term demonstration project means an advanced nuclear reactor operated-- 7,a7 as part of the power generation facilities of an electric utility system2 or 7,b7 in any other manner for the purpose of demonstrating the suitability for commercial application of the advanced nuclear reactor4 7b7 ,purpose ,the purpose of this section is to direct the ,secretary1 as soon as practicable after the date of enactment of this section1 to advance the research and development of domestic advanced1 affordable1 and clean nuclear energy by-- 7#a7 demonstrating different advanced nuclear reactor technologies that could be used by the private sector to produce-- 7,a7 emission-free power at a levelized cost of electricity of #fj per megawatt-hour or less2 7,b7 heat for community heating1 industrial purposes1 or synthetic fuel production2 7,c7 remote or off-grid energy supply2 or 7,d7 backup or mission-critical power supplies2 7#b7 developing goals for nuclear energy research programs that would accomplish the goals of the demonstration projects carried out under subsection 7c72 7#c7 identifying research areas that the private sector is unable or unwilling to undertake due to the cost of1 or risks associated with1 the research2 and 7#d7 facilitating the access of the private sector-- 7,a7 to ,federal research facilities2 and 7,b7 to the results of research funded by the ,federal ,government4 7c7 ,demonstration projects 7#a7 ,in general ,during the period beginning on the date of enactment of this section and ending on ,september #cj1 #bjbh1 the ,secretary shall1 to the maximum extent practicable1 enter into #a or more agreements to carry out not fewer than #d advanced nuclear reactor demonstration projects4 7#b7 ,requirements ,in carrying out demonstration projects under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 seek to include diversity in designs for the advanced nuclear reactors demonstrated under this section1 including designs using various primary coolants2 7,b7 seek to ensure that-- 7i7 the long-term cost of electricity or heat for each design to be demonstrated under this subsection is cost-competitive in the applicable market2 and 7ii7 the cost-competitiveness of each design to be demonstrated under this subsection is verified by an external review of the proposed design2 7,c7 enter into cost-sharing agreements with partners in accordance with section #ihh for the conduct of activities relating to the research1 development1 and demonstration of private-sector advanced nuclear reactor designs under the program2 7,d7 work with private sector partners to identify potential sites1 including ,department-owned sites1 for demonstrations1 as appropriate2 and 7,e7 align specific activities carried out under demonstration projects carried out under this subsection with priorities identified through direct consultations between-- 7i7 the ,department2 7ii7 ,national ,laboratories2 7iii7 institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a7772 7iv7 traditional end-users 7such as electric utilities72 7v7 potential end-users of new technologies 7such as petrochemical companies72 and 7vi7 developers of advanced nuclear reactor technology4 7d7 ,goals 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish goals for research relating to advanced nuclear reactors facilitated by the ,department that support the objectives of the program for demonstration projects established under subsection 7c74 7#b7 ,coordination ,in developing the goals under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall coordinate1 on an ongoing basis1 with members of private industry to advance the demonstration of various designs of advanced nuclear reactors4 7#c7 ,requirements ,in developing the goals under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall ensure that-- 7,a7 research activities facilitated by the ,department to meet the goals developed under this subsection are focused on key areas of nuclear research and deployment ranging from basic energy to full-design development1 safety evaluation1 and licensing2 7,b7 research programs designed to meet the goals emphasize-- 7i7 resolving materials challenges relating to radiation damage or corrosive coolants2 and 7ii7 qualification of advanced fuels2 7,c7 activities are carried out that address near-term challenges in modeling and simulation to enable accelerated design and licensing2 7,d7 related technologies1 such as electrochemical processing or fuel recycling that could reduce nuclear waste volumes or half lives1 are developed2 7,e7 infrastructure1 such as a versatile fast neutron source or molten salt testing facility1 to aid in research are constructed2 7,f7 basic knowledge of non-light water coolant physics and chemistry is improved2 and 7,g7 advanced manufacturing and construction techniques and materials are investigated to reduce the commercialization cost of advanced nuclear reactors4 4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7,public ,law #aji-eh2 #aai ,stat4 #eid7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the item relating to section #iag1 by striking ,efficiency2 and 7#b7 by inserting after the item relating to section #ieg the following3 ,sec4 #ieh4 ,advanced nuclear reactor research and development goals4 4 #e4 ,nuclear energy strategic plan 7a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,e of title ,,ix of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afbga et seq47 7as amended by section #d7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #ieh;,a4 ,nuclear energy strategic plan 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committees on ,energy and ,commerce and ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a #aj-year strategic plan for the ,office of ,nuclear ,energy of the ,department1 in accordance with this section4 7b7 ,requirements 7#a7 ,components ,the strategic plan under this section shall designate-- 7,a7 programs that support the planned accomplishment of the goals established under section #ieh7;d72 and 7,b7 programs that-- 7i7 do not support the planned accomplishment of the goals referred to in subparagraph 7,a72 but 7ii7 are important to the mission of the ,office of ,nuclear ,energy1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,program planning ,in developing the strategic plan under this section1 the ,secretary shall specify expected timelines for1 as applicable-- 7,a7 the accomplishment of relevant objectives under current programs of the ,department2 or 7,b7 the commencement of new programs to accomplish those objectives4 7c7 ,updates ,not less frequently than once every #b years1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committees on ,energy and ,commerce and ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives an updated #aj-year strategic plan in accordance with subsection 7b71 which shall identify1 and provide a justification for1 any major deviation from a previous strategic plan submitted under this section4 4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7,public ,law #aji-eh2 #aai ,stat4 #eid7 7as amended by section #d7;b77#b77 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #ieh the following3 ,sec4 #ieh;,a4 ,nuclear energy strategic plan4 4 #f4 ,versatile1 reactor-based fast neutron source 7a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,e of title ,,ix of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afbga et seq47 7as amended by section #e7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #iei4 ,versatile1 reactor-based fast neutron source 7a7 ,definition of fast neutron ,in this section1 the term fast neutron means a neutron with kinetic energy above #ajj kiloelectron volts4 7b7 ,requirement ,the ,secretary shall provide for a versatile1 reactor-based fast neutron source1 which shall operate as a national user facility4 7c7 ,consultations required ,in carrying out subsection 7b71 the ,secretary shall consult with the private sector1 institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a7771 the ,national ,laboratories1 and relevant ,federal agencies to ensure that the neutron source established under subsection 7b7 is capable of meeting ,federal research needs for neutron irradiation services4 7d7 ,facility capabilities 7#a7 ,capabilities ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the user facility described in subsection 7b7 will provide1 at a minimum-- 7,a7 fast neutron spectrum irradiation capability2 and 7,b7 the capacity for upgrades to accommodate new or expanded research needs4 7#b7 ,considerations ,in carrying out paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall consider-- 7,a7 capabilities that support experimental high-temperature testing2 7,b7 providing a source of fast neutrons-- 7i7 at a neutron flux higher than that at which existing research facilities operate2 and 7ii7 sufficient to enable research for an optimal base of prospective users2 7,c7 maximizing irradiation flexibility and irradiation volume to accommodate as many concurrent users as practicable2 7,d7 capabilities for irradiation with neutrons of a lower energy spectrum2 7,e7 multiple loops for fuels and materials testing of different coolants2 7,f7 additional pre- and post-irradiation examination capabilities2 and 7,g7 lifetime operating costs and lifecycle costs4 7e7 ,deadline for commencement of operations ,to the maximum extent practicable1 the ,secretary shall ensure that full operations at the user facility under subsection 7b7 commence before ,december #ca1 #bjbe4 7f7 ,funding ,of the funds appropriated to the ,office of ,nuclear ,energy of the ,department1 the ,secretary shall use such sums as are necessary to carry out this section4 4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7,public ,law #aji-eh2 #aai ,stat4 #eid7 7as amended by section #e7;b77 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #ieh;,a the following3 ,sec4 #iei4 ,versatile1 reactor-based fast neutron source4 4 #g4 ,advanced nuclear fuel security program 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 the national security nuclear enterprise1 which supports the nuclear weapons stockpile stewardship and naval reactors functions of the ,national ,nuclear ,security ,administration1 requires a domestic fuel cycle1 including uranium mining1 uranium processing1 uranium enrichment1 and fuel fabrication1 capable of producing low- and high-enriched uranium2 7#b7 many domestic advanced nuclear power industry participants require access to high-assay1 low-enriched uranium fuel for-- 7,a7 initial fuel testing2 7,b7 operation of demonstration reactors2 and 7,c7 commercial operation of advanced nuclear reactors2 7#c7 as of the date of enactment of this ,act1 no domestic uranium enrichment or fuel fabrication capability exists for uranium fuel enriched to greater than #e weight percent of the uranium-#bce isotope2 7#d7 a healthy commercial nuclear fuel cycle capable of providing higher levels of enriched uranium would benefit-- 7,a7 the relevant national security functions of the ,national ,nuclear ,security ,administration2 and 7,b7 the domestic advanced nuclear industry of the ,united ,states2 and 7#e7 making limited quantities of high-assay1 low-enriched uranium available from ,department of ,energy stockpiles of uranium would allow for initial fuel testing and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactor concepts1 accelerating-- 7,a7 the path to market of those concepts2 and 7,b7 the development of-- 7i7 a market for advanced nuclear reactors2 and 7ii7 a resulting growing commercial nuclear fuel cycle capability4 7b7 ,amendment 7#a7 ,in general ,subtitle ,e of title ,,ix of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afbga et seq47 7as amended by section #f7;a77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #ifj4 ,advanced nuclear fuel security program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,high-assay1 low-enriched uranium ,the term high-assay1 low-enriched uranium means uranium with an assay greater than #e weight percent1 but less than #bj weight percent1 of the uranium-#bce isotope4 7#b7 ,high-enriched uranium ,the term high-enriched uranium means uranium with an assay of #bj weight percent or more of the uranium-#bce isotope4 7b7 ,high-,assay low-,enriched uranium program for advanced reactors 7#a7 ,establishment ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall establish a program to make available high-assay1 low-enriched uranium1 through contracts for sale1 resale1 transfer1 or lease1 for use in commercial or noncommercial advanced nuclear reactors4 7#b7 ,nuclear fuel ownership ,each lease under this subsection shall include a provision establishing that the nuclear fuel that is the subject of the lease shall remain the property of the ,department1 including with respect to responsibility for the final disposition of all radioactive waste created by the irradiation1 processing1 or purification of any leased uranium4 7#c7 ,quantity ,in carrying out the program under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall make available-- 7,a7 by ,december #ca1 #bjbb1 high-assay1 low-enriched uranium containing not less than #b metric tons of the uranium-#bce isotope2 and 7,b7 by ,december #ca1 #bjbe1 high-assay1 low-enriched uranium containing not less than #aj metric tons of the uranium-#bce isotope 7as determined including the quantities of the uranium-#bce isotope made available before ,december #ca1 #bjbb74 7#d7 ,factors for consideration ,in carrying out the program under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall take into consideration options for providing the high-assay1 low-enriched uranium under this subsection from a stockpile of uranium owned by the ,department 7including the ,national ,nuclear ,security ,administration71 including-- 7,a7 fuel that-- 7i7 directly meets the needs of an end-user2 but 7ii7 has been previously used or fabricated for another purpose2 7,b7 fuel that can meet the needs of an end-user after removing radioactive or other contaminants that resulted from a previous use or fabrication of the fuel for research1 development1 demonstration1 or deployment activities of the ,department 7including activities of the ,national ,nuclear ,security ,administration72 and 7,c7 fuel from a high-enriched uranium stockpile1 which can be blended with lower-assay uranium to become high-assay1 low-enriched uranium to meet the needs of an end-user4 7#e7 ,limitation ,the ,secretary shall not barter or otherwise sell or transfer uranium in any form in exchange for services relating to the final disposition of radioactive waste from uranium that is the subject of a lease under this subsection4 7#f7 ,sunset ,the program under this subsection shall terminate on the earlier of-- 7,a7 ,january #a1 #bjce2 and 7,b7 the date on which uranium enriched up to1 but not equal to1 #bj weight percent can be obtained in the commercial market from domestic suppliers4 7c7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of ,congress a report that describes actions proposed to be carried out by the ,secretary-- 7,a7 under the program under subsection 7b72 or 7,b7 otherwise to enable the commercial use of high-assay1 low-enriched uranium4 7#b7 ,coordination and stakeholder input ,in developing the report under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall seek input from-- 7,a7 the ,nuclear ,regulatory ,commission2 7,b7 the ,national ,laboratories2 7,c7 institutions of higher education 7as defined in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a7772 7,d7 a diverse group of entities operating in the nuclear energy industry2 and 7,e7 a diverse group of technology developers4 7#c7 ,cost and schedule estimates ,the report under this subsection shall include estimated costs1 budgets1 and timeframes for enabling the use of high-assay1 low-enriched uranium4 7#d7 ,required evaluations ,the report under this subsection shall evaluate-- 7,a7 the costs and actions required to establish and carry out the program under subsection 7b71 including with respect to-- 7i7 proposed preliminary terms for the sale1 resale1 transfer1 and leasing of high-assay low-enriched uranium 7including guidelines defining the roles and responsibilities between the ,department and the purchaser1 transfer recipient1 or lessee72 and 7ii7 the potential to coordinate with purchasers1 transfer recipients1 and lessees regarding-- 7,i7 fuel fabrication2 and 7,,ii7 fuel transport2 7,b7 the potential sources and fuel forms available to provide uranium for the program under subsection 7b72 7,c7 options to coordinate the program under subsection 7b7 with the operation of the versatile1 reactor-based fast neutron source under section #iei2 7,d7 the ability of the domestic uranium market to provide materials for advanced nuclear reactor fuel2 and 7,e7 any associated legal1 regulatory1 and policy issues that should be addressed to enable-- 7i7 the program under subsection 7b72 and 7ii7 the establishment of a domestic industry capable of providing high-assay1 low-enriched uranium for commercial and noncommercial purposes1 including with respect to the needs of-- 7,i7 the ,department2 7,,ii7 the ,department of ,defense2 and 7,,iii7 the ,national ,nuclear ,security ,administration4 4 7#b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7,public ,law #aji-eh2 #aai ,stat4 #eid7 7as amended by section #f7;b77 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section #iei the following3 ,sec4 #ifj4 ,advanced nuclear fuel security program4 4 #h4 ,university ,nuclear ,leadership ,program 7a7 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 nuclear power plants-- 7,a7 generate billions of dollars in national economic activity through procurements throughout the ,united ,states2 and 7,b7 provide tens of thousands of people in the ,united ,states with high-paying jobs1 contributing substantially to the local economies of the communities in which the plants operate2 7#b7 the world market for the growth of commercial nuclear power was estimated by the ,department of ,commerce to be valued at up to #gdj1jjj1jjj1jjj during the period of calendar years #bjah through #bjbh2 7#c7 the participation and leadership of the ,united ,states in the market described in paragraph 7#b7 will-- 7,a7 7i7 increase economic activity in the ,united ,states through robust nuclear exports1 leading to the enhanced economic security of the ,united ,states2 and 7ii7 preserve and enhance the ability of the ,united ,states to positively influence international nuclear safety1 security1 and nonproliferation standards through commercial engagement with other nations2 but 7,b7 require significant investment in ,united ,states-origin advanced nuclear technologies2 7#d7 in order to lead the world in the next generation of commercial nuclear power1 the advanced nuclear industry in the ,united ,states should be positioned for accelerated growth1 which requires public-private partnerships with-- 7,a7 the ,department of ,energy2 7,b7 the ,national ,nuclear ,security ,administration2 and 7,c7 the ,nuclear ,regulatory ,commission2 7#e7 advanced reactors represent new challenges in reactor design1 safeguards1 and regulation2 7#f7 the challenges referred to in paragraph 7#e7-- 7,a7 are directly relevant to the missions of-- 7i7 the ,office of ,nuclear ,energy of the ,department of ,energy2 7ii7 the ,national ,nuclear ,security ,administration2 and 7iii7 the ,nuclear ,regulatory ,commission2 and 7,b7 require a highly skilled workforce in order to be met2 and 7#g7 nuclear science and engineering programs at institutions of higher education in the ,united ,states-- 7,a7 annually award degrees in nuclear engineering and related fields to more than #fjj undergraduate students1 and #ejj graduate students1 who are critical to maintaining ,united ,states leadership in the development of advanced nuclear systems2 7,b7 perform cutting-edge research and technology development activities that have made fundamental contributions to advancing ,united ,states nuclear technology2 7,c7 support workforce development critical to maintaining ,united ,states leadership in nuclear detection1 nonproliferation1 nuclear medicine1 advanced manufacturing1 and other non-energy areas2 and 7,d7 generally do not receive support from ,federal science agencies other than the ,department of ,energy4 7b7 ,amendment ,section #cac of the ,energy and ,water ,development and ,related ,agencies ,appropriations ,act1 #bjji 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #afbgd;a71 is amended to read as follows3 #cac4 ,university ,nuclear ,leadership ,program 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,advanced nuclear reactor ,the term advanced nuclear reactor means-- 7,a7 a nuclear fission reactor1 including a prototype plant 7as defined in sections #ej4b and #eb4a of title #aj1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or successor regulations771 with significant improvements compared to the most recent generation of fission reactors1 including improvements such as-- 7i7 additional inherent safety features2 7ii7 lower waste yields2 7iii7 improved fuel performance2 7iv7 increased tolerance to loss of fuel cooling2 7v7 enhanced reliability2 7vi7 increased proliferation resistance2 7vii7 increased thermal efficiency2 7viii7 reduced consumption of cooling water2 7ix7 the ability to integrate into electric applications and nonelectric applications2 7x7 modular sizes to allow for deployment that corresponds with the demand for electricity2 or 7xi7 operational flexibility to respond to changes in demand for electricity and to complement integration with intermittent renewable energy2 and 7,b7 a fusion reactor4 7#b7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a774 7#c7 ,program ,the term ,program means the ,university ,nuclear ,leadership ,program established under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary of ,energy1 the ,administrator of the ,national ,nuclear ,security ,administration1 and the ,chairman of the ,nuclear ,regulatory ,commission shall jointly establish a program1 to be known as the ,university ,nuclear ,leadership ,program4 7c7 ,use of funds 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 amounts made available to carry out the ,program shall be used to provide financial assistance for scholarships1 fellowships1 and research and development projects at institutions of higher education in areas relevant to the programmatic mission of the applicable ,federal agency providing the financial assistance with respect to research1 development1 demonstration1 and deployment activities for technologies relevant to advanced nuclear reactors1 including relevant fuel cycle technologies4 7#b7 ,exception ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#a71 amounts made available to carry out the ,program may be used to provide financial assistance for a scholarship1 fellowship1 or multiyear research and development project that does not align directly with a programmatic mission of the applicable ,federal agency providing the financial assistance1 if the activity for which assistance is provided would facilitate the maintenance of the discipline of nuclear science or nuclear engineering4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out the ,program4 4