Comprehensive energy bill goes to House for consideration
The House is scheduled to consider H.R. 4, a comprehensive energy bill, tomorrow, August 1. The bill is the product of seven House committees.
The bill includes several provisions related to nuclear energy:
- The bill captures the five-year authorization for University Nuclear Science and Engineering programs contained in S. 242 and H.R. 2126, the Bingaman and Biggert bills.
- The bill authorizes $60 million for 2002 for NERI and such sums as necessary thereafter for 2003 and 2004.
- The bill authorizes $15 million for NEPO in 2002 and such sums as necessary thereafter for 2003 and 2004.
- The bill authorizes $20 million for Nuclear Energy Technologies for 2002 and such sums thereafter for 2003 and 2004. The $20 million authorized is to study Generation IV nuclear energy systems. The bill calls for a report by December 31, 2002 from the Secretary of Energy which contains an assessment of available technologies, a recommendation of no more than 3 concepts for further development and a plan leading to the selection and conceptual design of a Generation IV system by September 30, 2004.
- The bill changes the budgetary treatment of the Nuclear Waste Fund by taking it off budget.
- The bill requires Nuclear Regulatory Commission meetings to be recorded if a quorum is present to discuss official business and that the public is notified within 15 days after the meetings occur.
