Summary:
Excess Uranium Transparency and Accountability Act

This bill amends the USEC Privatization Act governing uranium transfers and sales to require the Department of Energy (DOE) to issue, beginning January 1, 2017, and at least once every 10 years afterwards, a long-term excess uranium inventory management plan that details how all forms of excess DOE uranium inventories will be managed for a minimum period of 10 years.

This management plan must outline DOE steps that will: (1) minimize the impact of DOE's transferring, selling, or otherwise providing uranium upon the domestic uranium mining, conversion, and enrichment industries; and (2) ensure that the federal government maximizes for itself the potential value of uranium.

DOE may provide from its stockpile up to 2100 and up to 2700 metric tons of uranium in any form (currently, only natural and low-enriched uranium) for the periods calendar 2016-2023 and beginning January 1, 2024, respectively.

 Before making any determination that the sale of the material will not have an adverse material impact on the domestic uranium mining, conversion, or enrichment industry, DOE shall publish the proposed determination in the Federal Register pursuant to a rulemaking.

Any market analysis prepared by or for DOE as part of the determination process shall be subject to a peer review process consistent with Office of Management and Budget guidelines.

Beginning on January 1, 2021, the requirement for a DOE determination of no adverse material impact on the domestic uranium industry shall be waived for transferring, selling, or otherwise providing uranium if it has been identified in an updated long-term federal excess uranium inventory management plan.

excess uranium transparency accountability act bill amends usec privatization act governing uranium transfers sales require department_of_energy doe issue beginning january years long term excess uranium inventory management plan details forms excess doe uranium inventories managed minimum period years management plan outline doe steps minimize impact doe transferring selling providing uranium domestic uranium mining conversion enrichment industries ensure federal government maximizes potential value uranium doe provide stockpile metric tons uranium form currently natural low enriched uranium periods calendar beginning january respectively making determination sale material adverse material impact domestic uranium mining conversion enrichment industry doe shall publish proposed determination federal_register pursuant rulemaking market analysis prepared doe determination process shall subject peer review process consistent office_of_management_and_budget guidelines beginning january requirement doe determination adverse material impact domestic uranium industry shall waived transferring selling providing uranium identified updated long term federal excess uranium inventory management plan


Summary:
Rural Broadband Initiative Act

This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to establish an Office of Rural Broadband Initiatives at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and an Under Secretary for Rural Broadband Initiatives appointed by the President to head the Office.

The Under Secretary is responsible for administering all rural broadband-related grant and loan programs previously administered by the Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service and must:

 conduct nationwide outreach to rural areas; foster the development of a comprehensive rural broadband strategic vision; plan coordination of federal resources for state, regional, and local governments to assist rural areas; assess all relevant technologies; serve as a single information source for and coordinate all federal rural broadband programs and services; and provide technical assistance to state, regional, and local governments. The Under Secretary must also:

 submit to the President and Congress a comprehensive rural broadband strategy; submit to Congress a plan to establish a Rural Broadband Advisory Panel; establish a web-based clearinghouse that describes options, opportunities, resources, successful public-private partnerships, funding sources, and technology tutorials; and revise the rules and qualification criteria for the loan and loan guarantee programs. USDA must report to Congress on the resources and staff necessary to carry out this bill, and the Government Accountability Office must review the report.

rural broadband initiative act bill amends rural electrification act establish department_of_agriculture usda secretary appointed president head office secretary responsible administering rural broadband related grant loan programs previously administered administrator rural_utilities_service conduct nationwide outreach rural areas foster development comprehensive rural broadband strategic vision plan coordination federal resources state regional local governments assist rural areas assess relevant technologies serve single information source coordinate federal rural broadband programs services provide technical assistance state regional local governments secretary submit president congress comprehensive rural broadband strategy submit congress plan establish establish web based clearinghouse describes options opportunities resources successful public private partnerships funding sources technology revise rules qualification criteria loan loan guarantee programs usda report congress resources staff necessary carry bill government_accountability_office review report


Summary:
Fusion Innovation Act of 2015

Directs the Office of Science of the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a Fusion Innovation Initiative, under which the Office shall issue a competitive, merit-reviewed funding opportunity announcement to solicit proposals for engineering designs for innovative fusion energy systems, including upgrades to existing facilities, which have the potential to demonstrate net energy production not later than seven years after the start of construction.

Requires a recipient to submit the design within 18 months after receiving funding.

Directs the Office to assign top priority to, and provide expedited financial support for, relevant construction activities for any design that the Office determines merits support.

Directs DOE to establish open, transparent processes to share unclassified resources and information that will accelerate the advancement of fusion energy technologies among researchers from the National Laboratories (specified DOE-owned laboratories), institutions of higher education, and the private sector.

Directs the Office to: (1) establish processes to make unclassified, proprietary simulation codes relevant to the development of a fusion energy system, that are controlled by a National Laboratory, available to researchers from other National Laboratories, institutions of higher education, and the private sector; (2) support shared platforms for the co-development of simulation codes for fusion energy systems among such researchers; and (3) establish a process for fusion researchers from the National Laboratories to serve limited-term residencies at private sector companies working to advance fusion technologies.

Directs DOE to submit a report assessing its capabilities to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded fusion prototypes with up to 20 megawatts thermal output and related demonstration facilities at DOE-owned sites.

fusion innovation act doe establish fusion innovation initiative office shall issue competitive merit reviewed funding opportunity announcement solicit proposals engineering designs innovative fusion energy systems including upgrades existing facilities potential demonstrate net energy production later seven years start construction requires recipient submit design months receiving funding directs office assign priority provide expedited financial support relevant construction activities design office determines merits support directs doe establish open transparent processes share unclassified resources information accelerate advancement fusion energy technologies researchers national_laboratories specified doe owned laboratories institutions higher education private sector directs office establish processes unclassified proprietary simulation codes relevant development fusion energy system controlled national_laboratory available researchers national_laboratories institutions higher education private sector support shared platforms development simulation codes fusion energy systems researchers establish process fusion researchers national_laboratories serve limited term residencies private sector companies working advance fusion technologies directs doe submit report assessing capabilities authorize host oversee privately funded fusion prototypes megawatts thermal output related demonstration facilities doe owned sites


Summary:
Stop Nuclear Waste by Our Lakes Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of State to request that the International Joint Commission:

 review the long-term impacts of the location of the Deep Geological Repository (proposed by the Ontario Power Generation for disposal of 7 million cubic feet of low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste at the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant in Kincardine, Ontario), including an examination of the conclusions reached in the Environmental Assessment Report of the Joint Review Panel, and whether those conclusions would adequately protect Lake Huron and the other Great Lakes from the risks posed by the operation of the Deep Geological Repository for low and intermediate-level nuclear waste; and issue a report on the Commission's findings to the governments of the United States and Canada. If Canada decides to dispose permanently of high-level nuclear waste at a site in close proximity to the Deep Geological Repository or another site in the Great Lakes Basin the Department shall:

 request the Commission to study the risks to the Great Lakes Basin of storing high-level nuclear waste in close proximity to the Deep Geological Repository or another site in the Great Lakes Basin, and bring the matter before the Commission. The Department shall undertake negotiations with Canada to:

 delay the final decision on the Deep Geologic Repository until after the Commission delivers the report required by this Act, delay any final decision to store high-level nuclear waste in close proximity to the Deep Geological Repository or another site in the Great Lakes Basin until after the Commission conducts the study required by this Act, and consent to bringing the matter of such disposal of high-level nuclear waste before the Commission.

stop nuclear waste lakes act bill directs department_of_state request review long term impacts location proposed disposal million cubic feet low- intermediate level nuclear waste bruce nuclear power plant including examination conclusions reached conclusions adequately protect lake_huron great lakes risks posed operation low intermediate level nuclear waste issue report commission findings governments united_states canada canada decides dispose permanently high level nuclear waste site close proximity site great lakes basin department shall request commission study risks great lakes basin storing high level nuclear waste close proximity site great lakes basin bring matter commission department shall undertake negotiations canada delay final decision commission delivers report required act delay final decision store high level nuclear waste close proximity site great lakes basin commission conducts study required act consent bringing matter disposal high level nuclear waste commission


Summary:
Department of Homeland Security Support to Fusion Centers Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Comptroller General to conduct an assessment of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel assigned to fusion centers established under the Homeland Security Act of 2002. (A fusion center serves as a focal point within the state and local environment for the receipt, analysis, gathering, and sharing of threat-related information between the federal government and state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners.)

The assessment must include information on:

 the current deployment of such personnel to each fusion center; the roles and responsibilities of DHS's Office of Intelligence and Analysis intelligence officers and analysts, reports officers, and regional directors deployed to such centers; federal resources, in addition to personnel, provided to each center; an analysis of the optimal number of personnel the Office of Intelligence and Analysis should deploy to such centers, including a cost-benefit analysis comparing deployed personnel with technological solutions to support information sharing; fusion centers located in jurisdictions along land and maritime borders of the United States and the degree to which deploying personnel from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Coast Guard to such centers would enhance the integrity and security at such borders; and fusion centers located in jurisdictions with large and medium hub airports and the degree to which deploying personnel from the Transportation Security Administration to such centers would enhance aviation security. (Sec. 3) The bill expresses the sense of Congress that any program established by DHS's Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis to provide eligibility for access to information classified as Top Secret for state and local analysts located in fusion centers shall be consistent with the need-to-know requirements pursuant to Executive Order No. 13526.

The Under Secretary must submit to specified congressional committees a report on:

 the process by which the Under Secretary determines a need to know to sponsor Top Secret clearances for appropriate state and local analysts located in fusion centers; the effects of such Top Secret clearances on enhancing information sharing with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners; the cost for providing such Top Secret clearances for such analysts, including training and background investigations; and the operational security protocols, training, management, and risks associated with providing such Top Secret clearances. (Sec. 4) The Under Secretary, in collaboration with the Chief Information Officer of DHS and representatives from the National Network of Fusion Centers, shall conduct an assessment of information systems used to share homeland security information between DHS and fusion centers in the Network and make appropriate upgrades to such systems. Such assessment shall include:

 an evaluation of the accessibility and ease of use of such systems by Network fusion centers; a review to determine how to establish improved interoperability of departmental information systems with existing information systems used by Network fusion centers; and an evaluation of participation levels of departmental components and offices of information systems used to share homeland security information with Network fusion centers. (Sec. 5) The Under Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with each Network fusion centers regarding the type of information fusion centers will provide to DHS and whether such information may be subject to public disclosure.

sec bill directs comptroller_general conduct assessment department_of_homeland_security dhs personnel assigned fusion centers established homeland security act fusion center serves focal point state local environment receipt analysis gathering sharing threat related information federal government state local tribal territorial private sector partners assessment include information current deployment personnel fusion center roles responsibilities dhs office_of_intelligence_and_analysis intelligence officers analysts reports officers regional directors deployed centers federal resources addition personnel provided center analysis optimal number personnel office_of_intelligence_and_analysis deploy centers including cost benefit analysis comparing deployed personnel technological solutions support information sharing fusion centers located jurisdictions land maritime borders united_states degree deploying personnel coast_guard centers enhance integrity security borders fusion centers located jurisdictions large medium hub airports degree deploying personnel transportation_security_administration centers enhance aviation security sec bill expresses sense congress program established dhs secretary provide eligibility access information classified secret state local analysts located fusion centers shall consistent need know requirements pursuant executive order secretary submit specified congressional committees report process secretary determines need know sponsor secret clearances appropriate state local analysts located fusion centers effects secret clearances enhancing information sharing state local tribal territorial partners cost providing secret clearances analysts including training background investigations operational security protocols training management risks associated providing secret clearances sec secretary collaboration chief information officer dhs representatives shall conduct assessment information systems share homeland security information dhs fusion centers network appropriate upgrades systems assessment shall include evaluation accessibility ease use systems network fusion centers review determine establish improved interoperability departmental information systems existing information systems network fusion centers evaluation participation levels departmental components offices information systems share homeland security information network fusion centers sec secretary shall enter memorandum understanding network fusion centers type information fusion centers provide dhs information subject public disclosure


Summary:
Dry Cask Storage Act of 2015

 Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to require each licensee of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to submit a plan for: (1) transfer (including on-going additional transfers) to spent nuclear fuel dry casks of any spent nuclear fuel stored by the licensee for at least seven years in spent nuclear fuel pools, and (2) configuration of the remaining spent nuclear fuel in the pool in a manner that minimizes the chance of a fire if there is a loss of water in the pool.

Requires the NRC to approve or disapprove the plan within 90 days after its submission.

Authorizes the NRC to make a grant to any licensee with an approved plan to assist in the cost of transferring spent nuclear fuel to dry casks under the plan.

Requires the emergency planning zone applicable to each civilian nuclear power reactor to be at least 10 miles in radius until all spent nuclear fuel at the reactor has been transferred to dry casks.

Directs the NRC to expand to 50 miles in radius the emergency planning zone applicable to each reactor not in compliance with an approved plan. Makes the licensee responsible for all coasts associated with expansion.

Requires the Department of the Treasury to transfer annually to the NRC, to pay the costs of the grants program, 10% of the interest generated during the preceding fiscal year from investments of the Nuclear Waste Fund.

dry cask storage act amends nuclear waste policy act require licensee nuclear_regulatory_commission nrc submit plan transfer including going additional transfers spent nuclear fuel dry casks spent nuclear fuel stored licensee seven years spent nuclear fuel pools configuration remaining spent nuclear fuel pool manner minimizes chance fire loss water pool requires nrc approve disapprove plan days submission authorizes nrc grant licensee approved plan assist cost transferring spent nuclear fuel dry casks plan requires emergency planning zone applicable civilian nuclear power reactor miles radius spent nuclear fuel reactor transferred dry casks directs nrc expand miles radius emergency planning zone applicable reactor compliance approved plan makes licensee responsible coasts associated expansion requires department treasury transfer annually nrc pay costs grants program interest generated preceding fiscal year investments nuclear_waste_fund


Summary:
Interim Consolidated Storage Act of 2015

This bill amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to enter into new contracts (or modify existing contracts) with the licensee of an interim consolidated storage facility in order to take title to and store in it either high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel of domestic origin.

The bill defines:

 "interim consolidated storage facility" as a facility licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the storage of high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel received from DOE or from two or more persons that generate or hold title to such fuel generated at a civilian nuclear power reactor, and "high-level radioactive waste" as including Greater than Class C waste. The bill assigns priority to storage of such waste and spent fuel located on sites without an operating nuclear reactor.

The bill makes appropriations targeted for the Nuclear Waste Fund available to pay for costs in connection with storage in an interim consolidated storage facility.

Beginning in FY2016 DOE shall not expend, on fees for dry modes of storage of high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel, any amounts exceeding the cumulative amount of interest generated by the Fund each fiscal year.

interim consolidated storage act bill amends nuclear waste policy act authorize department_of_energy doe enter new contracts modify existing contracts licensee interim consolidated storage facility order title store high level radioactive waste spent nuclear fuel domestic origin bill defines interim consolidated storage facility facility licensed nuclear_regulatory_commission storage high level radioactive waste spent nuclear fuel received doe persons generate hold title fuel generated civilian nuclear power reactor high level radioactive waste including greater class waste bill assigns priority storage waste spent fuel located sites operating nuclear reactor bill makes appropriations targeted nuclear_waste_fund available pay costs connection storage interim consolidated storage facility beginning fy2016 doe shall expend fees dry modes storage high level radioactive waste spent nuclear fuel amounts exceeding cumulative interest generated fund fiscal year


Summary:
Nuclear Innovation Act

This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out a program for enhancing the U.S. capability to develop new reactor technologies through high-performance computation modeling and simulation techniques. Such program shall coordinate with relevant federal agencies through the National Strategic Computing Initiative while taking into account specified objectives.

DOE shall also carry out a program to:

 enable the testing and demonstration of reactor concepts proposed and funded by the private sector, and leverage the technical expertise of relevant federal agencies and national laboratories to minimize the time required to enable construction and operation of privately funded experimental reactors at national laboratories or other DOE-owned sites. These reactors shall operate to:

 enable physical validation of novel reactor concepts; resolve technical uncertainty and increase practical knowledge relevant to safety, resilience, security, and functionality of first-of-a-kind reactor concepts; and generate research and development to improve nascent technologies.

nuclear innovation act bill directs department_of_energy doe carry program enhancing capability develop new reactor technologies high performance computation modeling simulation techniques program shall coordinate relevant federal agencies national strategic computing initiative taking account specified objectives doe shall carry program enable testing demonstration reactor concepts proposed funded private sector leverage technical expertise relevant federal agencies national laboratories minimize time required enable construction operation privately funded experimental reactors national laboratories doe owned sites reactors shall operate enable physical validation novel reactor concepts resolve technical uncertainty increase practical knowledge relevant safety resilience security functionality kind reactor concepts generate research development improve technologies


Summary:
Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise the objectives of the civilian nuclear energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs of the Department of Energy (DOE) to emphasize:

 providing research infrastructure to promote scientific progress and enable users from academia, the National Laboratories, and the private sector to make scientific discoveries relevant for nuclear, chemical, and materials science engineering; and enabling the private sector to partner with the National Laboratories to demonstrate novel reactor concepts for the purpose of resolving technical uncertainty associated with the aforementioned objectives. The bill expresses the sense of Congress regarding nuclear energy, urging DOE to focus its civilian nuclear research and development activities towards programs that enable the private sector, National Laboratories, and universities to carry out experiments necessary to promote scientific progress and enhance practical knowledge of nuclear engineering.

(Sec. 3) The bill repeals the Nuclear Power 2010 Program, and makes technical corrections removing the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology as the designated entity to conduct the research, development, and demonstration programs on advanced fuel recycling technology and cost-effective technologies for increasing the safety and security of nuclear facilities. (The Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology was replaced in DOE by the Office of Nuclear Energy, the Office of Science, and the Office of Technology Transitions.)

(Sec. 6) The bill repeals requirements for development of a comprehensive plan for the operation and maintenance of its facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory to support civilian nuclear energy research, development, demonstration, and commercial application programs, including radiological facilities management, isotope production, and facilities management.

By December 31, 2016, DOE shall instead determine the mission need for a versatile reactor-based fast neutron source, which shall operate as a national user facility and, if such a need is determined, give Congress a plan to establish the facility.

DOE shall ensure that the user facility will provide at a minimum:

 fast neutron spectrum irradiation capability, and capacity for upgrades to accommodate new or expanded research needs. The DOE shall leverage from the Office of Science the best practices for management, construction, and operation of national user facilities.

(Sec. 8) The bill repeals the requirement that by August 1, 2006, DOE submit to Congress the results of a survey of alternatives to industrial applications of large radioactive sources.

DOE shall instead carry out a program to enhance the nation's capabilities to develop new reactor technologies through high-performance computing modeling and simulation techniques. Such program shall coordinate with relevant federal agencies through the National Strategic Computing Initiative while taking into account specified objectives.

(Sec. 9) DOE shall also carry out a program to enable the testing and demonstration of reactor concepts to be proposed and funded by the private sector. DOE shall leverage the technical expertise of relevant federal agencies and national laboratories in order to minimize the time required to enable construction and operation of privately funded experimental reactors at national laboratories or other DOE-owned sites while ensuring safety for persons working within those sites.

 Such reactors shall operate to enable physical validation of novel reactor concepts and generate research and development to improve nascent technologies.

DOE shall assess its capabilities to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded fusion and advanced fission experimental reactors.

(Sec. 10) Within 12 months of this bill's enactment, DOE must submit to Congress two alternative 10-year budget plans for civilian nuclear energy research and development by the DOE, one assuming constant annual funding for 10 years at the appropriated FY2016 level, and the other an unconstrained budget.

DOE must also identify to Congress:

 engineering designs for innovative fusion energy systems with the potential to demonstrate net energy production within 15 years of the start of construction, and budgetary requirements necessary for DOE to carry out a fusion innovation initiative to accelerate research and development of those designs.

nuclear energy innovation capabilities act sec bill amends energy policy act revise objectives civilian nuclear energy research development demonstration commercial application programs department_of_energy doe emphasize providing research infrastructure promote scientific progress enable users academia national_laboratories private sector scientific discoveries relevant nuclear chemical materials science engineering enabling private sector partner national_laboratories demonstrate novel reactor concepts purpose resolving technical uncertainty associated aforementioned objectives bill expresses sense congress nuclear energy urging doe focus civilian nuclear research development activities programs enable private sector national_laboratories universities carry experiments necessary promote scientific progress enhance practical knowledge nuclear engineering sec bill repeals nuclear_power_2010_program makes technical corrections removing designated entity conduct research development demonstration programs advanced fuel recycling technology cost effective technologies increasing safety security nuclear facilities replaced doe office_of_science sec bill repeals requirements development comprehensive plan operation maintenance facilities support civilian nuclear energy research development demonstration commercial application programs including radiological facilities management isotope production facilities management december doe shall instead determine mission need reactor based fast source shall operate national user facility need determined congress plan establish facility doe shall ensure user facility provide minimum fast spectrum capability capacity upgrades accommodate new expanded research needs doe shall leverage office_of_science best practices management construction operation national user facilities sec bill repeals requirement august doe submit congress results survey alternatives industrial applications large radioactive sources doe shall instead carry program enhance nation capabilities develop new reactor technologies high performance computing modeling simulation techniques program shall coordinate relevant federal agencies national strategic computing initiative taking account specified objectives sec doe shall carry program enable testing demonstration reactor concepts proposed funded private sector doe shall leverage technical expertise relevant federal agencies national laboratories order minimize time required enable construction operation privately funded experimental reactors national laboratories doe owned sites ensuring safety persons working sites reactors shall operate enable physical validation novel reactor concepts generate research development improve technologies doe shall assess capabilities authorize host oversee privately funded fusion advanced experimental reactors sec months bill enactment doe submit congress alternative year budget plans civilian nuclear energy research development doe assuming constant annual funding years appropriated fy2016 level budget doe identify congress engineering designs innovative fusion energy systems potential demonstrate net energy production years start construction budgetary requirements necessary doe carry fusion innovation initiative accelerate research development designs


Summary:
Rural Broadband Infrastructure Investment Act

This bill amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to authorize the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide additional loans and grants for the development of telecommunications and broadband services in rural areas.

USDA may give preference to loan applications for projects that support the development of telecommunications services in rural areas on a multijurisdictional basis.

In evaluating applications, USDA must consider whether:

 the project was developed through the collaboration and participation of multiple stakeholders in the service area; the applicant understands the regional resources that could support the project, including natural resources, human resources, infrastructure, and financial resources; and the project has clear objectives and a means to establish performance measures. For the purpose of loans, loan guarantees, and grants, a rural area is any area of the United States not included within the boundaries of any incorporated or unincorporated city, village, or borough having a population in excess of 20,000 inhabitants.

USDA may provide grants, in addition to loans and loan guarantees permitted under current law, for the construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment for broadband service in rural areas. In providing loans, loan guarantees, and grants, USDA may give priority to multijurisdictional projects for the development of broadband service in rural areas that are developed through the collaboration and participation of multiple stakeholders in the service area.

bill amends rural electrification act authorize department_of_agriculture usda provide additional loans grants development telecommunications broadband services rural areas usda preference loan applications projects support development telecommunications services rural areas multijurisdictional basis evaluating applications usda consider project developed collaboration participation multiple stakeholders service area applicant regional resources support project including natural resources human resources infrastructure financial resources project clear objectives means establish performance measures purpose loans loan guarantees grants rural area area united_states included boundaries incorporated unincorporated city village borough having population excess inhabitants usda provide grants addition loans loan guarantees permitted current law construction improvement acquisition facilities equipment broadband service rural areas providing loans loan guarantees grants usda priority multijurisdictional projects development broadband service rural areas developed collaboration participation multiple stakeholders service area


Summary:
Nuclear Worker Residual Contaminations Compensation Act

This bill requires the Department of Labor to oversee an independent study on residual nuclear contamination of workers at certain facilities owned or operated by contractors of the Department of Energy and subsidiaries of those contractors.

nuclear worker residual compensation act bill requires department_of_labor oversee independent study residual nuclear contamination workers certain facilities owned operated contractors department_of_energy subsidiaries contractors


Summary: This bill directs the Department of Energyto submit a report to Congress, within six months, identifying engineering designs for fusion energy systems that are capable of producing net energy within 15 years after the onset of system construction. The report must also identify any budget requirements necessary to accelerate the development of such systems.

bill directs submit report congress months identifying engineering designs fusion energy systems capable producing net energy years onset system construction report identify budget requirements necessary accelerate development systems


Summary:
Interim Consolidated Storage Act of 2016

This bill amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to authorize the Department of Energy (DOE) to enter into new contracts (or modify existing contracts) with the licensee of an interim consolidated storage facility in order to take title to and store in it either high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel of domestic origin.

The bill defines:

 "interim consolidated storage facility" as a facility licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the storage of high-level radioactive waste or spent nuclear fuel received from DOE or from two or more persons that generate or hold title to such fuel generated at a civilian nuclear power reactor, and "high-level radioactive waste" as including Greater than Class C waste. The bill assigns priority to storage of such waste and spent fuel located on sites without an operating nuclear reactor.

interim consolidated storage act bill amends nuclear waste policy act authorize department_of_energy doe enter new contracts modify existing contracts licensee interim consolidated storage facility order title store high level radioactive waste spent nuclear fuel domestic origin bill defines interim consolidated storage facility facility licensed nuclear_regulatory_commission storage high level radioactive waste spent nuclear fuel received doe persons generate hold title fuel generated civilian nuclear power reactor high level radioactive waste including greater class waste bill assigns priority storage waste spent fuel located sites operating nuclear reactor


Summary:
Advanced Nuclear Technology Development Act of 2016

(Sec. 4)This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to enter into a memorandum of understanding to:

 ensure that DOE has sufficient technical expertise to support the civilian nuclear industry's timely development and commercial deployment of safe, innovative advanced reactor technology; ensure that the NRC has sufficient technical expertise to support the evaluation of requests for regulatory approval for advanced reactors; use computers and software codes to calculate the behavior and performance of advanced reactors based on mathematical models of their physical behavior; and ensure that the DOE maintains and develops the facilities to support the civilian nuclear industry's timely development and commercial deployment of safe, innovative reactor technology and that the NRC has access to such facilities, as needed. (Sec.5)DOE must submit a report to Congress within 180 days evaluating activities intended to facilitate the testing and demonstration of advanced reactors on DOE land and facilities and the potential for DOE to test and demonstrate on private land. The report must be updated and re-submitted to Congress every two years.Additionally, the report shall address certain issues including safety, cost, liability, facility siting, and options to regulate the advanced reactors.

(Sec.6)The NRC must develop a plan within one year to implement a regulatory framework for licensing advanced nuclear reactors. The plan shall include options to expedite and streamline the licensing process for advanced reactors, cost estimates, budgets, and specific milestones for implementing the framework by the end of FY2019.

(Sec.7) This bill also amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to require that the aggregate amount of fees collected by the NRC from licensees and certificate holders in a fiscal year be decreased by the amount of appropriations for activities related to the development of regulatory infrastructure for advanced nuclear reactor technologies.

sec bill requires department_of_energy doe nuclear_regulatory_commission nrc enter memorandum understanding ensure doe sufficient technical expertise support civilian nuclear industry timely development commercial deployment safe innovative advanced reactor technology ensure nrc sufficient technical expertise support evaluation requests regulatory approval advanced reactors use computers software codes calculate behavior performance advanced reactors based mathematical models physical behavior ensure doe maintains develops facilities support civilian nuclear industry timely development commercial deployment safe innovative reactor technology nrc access facilities needed submit report congress days evaluating activities intended facilitate testing demonstration advanced reactors doe land facilities potential doe test demonstrate private land report updated submitted congress years additionally report shall address certain issues including safety cost liability facility siting options regulate advanced reactors nrc develop plan year implement regulatory framework licensing advanced nuclear reactors plan shall include options expedite streamline licensing process advanced reactors cost estimates budgets specific milestones implementing framework end fy2019 bill amends omnibus_budget_reconciliation_act require aggregate fees collected nrc licensees certificate holders fiscal year decreased appropriations activities related development regulatory infrastructure advanced nuclear reactor technologies


Summary:
Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2016

This bill amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensee to submit to the NRC a post-shutdown decommissioning activities report (PSDAR) regarding the shutdown of a nuclear facility.

In the state where the nuclear facility is located, the NRC is required to: (1) solicit public comments on a proposed PSDAR; (2) conduct at least two public hearings; and (3) invite the state to file a statement of support, nonsupport, or conditional support for the proposed PSDAR with specific recommendations that could lead to support.

The bill prescribes the criteria for determining whether a proposed PSDAR is permissible if a host state files a statement of conditional support.

The NRC must determine the adequacy or inadequacy of a proposed PSDAR and issue a decision document accordingly.

The NRC must not approve a proposed PSDAR unless the proposed PSDAR requires compliance with applicable state law relating to air, water, soil quality, or radiological standards if the state law is more restrictive than its federal counterpart.

The NRC must notify: (1) each licensee of the opportunity to develop a revised PSDAR for any facility for which a PSDAR has been submitted but for which decontamination and dismantling activities have either not been commenced, or have been commenced for less than one year; and (2) each state within 50 miles of such facility that they have the opportunity to consult with the licensee who submitted the PSDAR.

nuclear plant decommissioning act bill amends atomic energy act require nuclear_regulatory_commission nrc licensee submit nrc post shutdown decommissioning activities report shutdown nuclear facility state nuclear facility located nrc required solicit public comments proposed conduct public hearings invite state file statement support conditional support proposed specific recommendations lead support bill prescribes criteria determining proposed permissible host state files statement conditional support nrc determine adequacy proposed issue decision document accordingly nrc approve proposed proposed requires compliance applicable state law relating air water soil quality radiological standards state law restrictive federal counterpart nrc notify licensee opportunity develop revised facility submitted decontamination dismantling activities commenced commenced year state miles facility opportunity consult licensee submitted


Summary: This bill provides that the Vanceboro Dam Storage Project, West Branch Project, and Forest City Project, all located on the St. Croix River in Maine, are not required to be licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

bill provides west branch project located croix river maine required licensed federal_energy_regulatory_commission


Summary:
Stranded Nuclear Waste Accountability Act of 2016

This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a program to provide compensation to communities in which a nuclear waste storage facility is located.

DOE must provide payments equal to $15 per kilogram of spent nuclear fuel stored at the nuclear waste facility.

Each local government within the jurisdictional boundaries of a nuclear waste facility must submit an annual application to DOE for compensation. DOE may make only one payment per fiscal year to eligible local governments.

stranded nuclear waste accountability act bill directs department_of_energy doe establish program provide compensation communities nuclear waste storage facility located doe provide payments equal spent nuclear fuel stored nuclear waste facility local government jurisdictional boundaries nuclear waste facility submit annual application doe compensation doe payment fiscal year eligible local governments


Summary:
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax credit for the production of electricity from advanced nuclear power facilities, to: (1) establish requirements for the allocation of unutilized portions of the national megawatt capacity limitation, and (2) allow public entities to transfer the credit to project partners.

If a portion of the 6,000 national megawatt capacity limitation for the credit is unutilized after December 31, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service must allocate the unutilized capacity: (1) first to facilities that were placed in service on or before December 31, 2020, and did not receive an allocation equal to their full nameplate capacity, and (2) then to facilities placed in service after December 31, 2020, in the order in which the facilities are placed in service. The placed-in-service sunset date of January 1, 2021, does not apply to the allocations of unutilized national megawatt capacity.

Qualified public entities may transfer the credit to an eligible project partner. A "qualified public entity" is: (1) a federal, state, or local government or any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof; (2) a mutual or cooperative electric company; or (3) a not-for-profit electric utility which has or had received a loan or loan guarantee under the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

An "eligible project partner" includes any person who: (1) is responsible for, or is participating in, the design or construction of the facility; (2) participates in the provision of nuclear steam or nuclear fuel to the facility, or (3) has an ownership interest in the facility.

bill amends internal_revenue_code respect tax credit production electricity advanced nuclear power facilities establish requirements allocation portions national megawatt capacity limitation allow public entities transfer credit project partners portion national megawatt capacity limitation credit december internal_revenue_service allocate capacity facilities placed service december receive allocation equal nameplate capacity facilities placed service december order facilities placed service placed service sunset date january apply allocations national megawatt capacity qualified public entities transfer credit eligible project partner qualified public entity federal state local government political subdivision agency instrumentality thereof mutual cooperative electric company profit electric utility received loan loan guarantee rural electrification act eligible project partner includes person responsible participating design construction facility participates provision nuclear steam nuclear fuel facility ownership interest facility


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

(Sec. 1) This bill allows the Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Kingdom of Norway Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, completed on June 11, 2016, to be brought into effect as if all requirements of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 for congressional consideration of such agreement had been satisfied.

Upon entering into effect, such agreement shall be subject to the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act and any other applicable U.S. law as if it had come into effect in accordance with such requirements.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure sec bill allows agreement cooperation government united_states_of_america government norway concerning peaceful uses nuclear energy completed june brought effect requirements atomic energy act congressional consideration agreement satisfied entering effect agreement shall subject provisions atomic energy act applicable law come effect accordance requirements


Summary:
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Reorganization Plan Codification and Complements Act

Codifies and expands the Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1980 governing administration of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).

Identifies as functions that remain vested in the NRC: (1) approval of the distribution of appropriated funds according to programs and purposes proposed by the Executive Director for Operations, and (2) functions concerned with policy formulation, rule making, orders and adjudications.

Revises provisions of such Reorganization Act regarding: (1) the appointment and replacement of NRC officers and employees, (2) the role of the NRC Chairman, (3) the scope of the emergency authority of the NRC Chairman, and (4) NRC reporting procedures.

Sets forth NRC policy with respect to: (1) certification of documents transmitted to Congress, (2) time limits for review of Atomic Safety and Licensing Board decisions and actions, (3) allegations of wrongdoing on the part of the NRC Chairman, and (4) approval of international travel requests by NRC members.

nuclear regulatory commission reorganization plan codification act codifies expands reorganization plan governing administration nuclear_regulatory_commission nrc identifies functions remain vested nrc approval distribution appropriated funds according programs purposes proposed executive director operations functions concerned policy formulation rule making orders adjudications revises provisions reorganization act appointment replacement nrc officers employees role nrc chairman scope emergency authority nrc chairman nrc reporting procedures sets forth nrc policy respect certification documents transmitted congress time limits review decisions actions allegations wrongdoing nrc chairman approval international travel requests nrc members


Summary:
Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act

This bill prohibits the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from authorizing construction of a nuclear waste repository unless the Secretary of Energy has entered into an agreement to host the repository with the following entities:

 the governor of the state in which the repository is proposed to be located, each affected unit of local government, any unit of general local government contiguous to the affected unit if spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste will be transported through that unit of general local government for disposal at the repository, and each affected Indian tribe. Furthermore, any agreement to host the repository must meet the following conditions:

 it must be written and signed by all parties, it must be binding on the parties, and it shall not be amended or revoked except by mutual agreement of the parties.

nuclear waste informed consent act bill prohibits nuclear_regulatory_commission authorizing construction nuclear waste repository secretary energy entered agreement host repository following entities governor state repository proposed located affected unit local government unit general local government contiguous affected unit spent nuclear fuel high level radioactive waste transported unit general local government disposal repository affected indian tribe furthermore agreement host repository meet following conditions written signed parties binding parties shall amended revoked mutual agreement parties


Summary:
Nuclear Waste Administration Act of 2015

 Establishes as an independent agency in the executive branch: (1) the Nuclear Waste Administration (NWA) to provide for the permanent disposal of nuclear waste, including the siting, construction, and operation of additional repositories, a test and evaluation facility, and additional storage facilities; and (2) the Nuclear Waste Oversight Board.

Transfers to the NWA Administrator specified functions of the Secretary of Energy.

Prescribes guidelines for nuclear waste facilities and for the identification and suitability of candidate sites.

Directs the Administrator to (1) establish a Storage Facility Program to provide interim storage for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, and (2) request proposals for cooperative agreements for a pilot program for the storage of priority waste.

Requires the Administrator, prior to selecting a storage facility site, to enter into a consent agreement to host the facility with: (1) an authorized official of the state in which the site is proposed to be located; (2) each affected unit of general local government or Indian tribe; and (3) submit to Congress a program plan, a list of proposed storage facility sites, and cost estimates for licensing, constructing, and operating each storage facility.

Requires the Secretary to issue guidelines, evaluate potential sites, as well as select sites for repositories.

Subjects construction and operation of a storage facility or repository to: (1) applicable standards for the protection of the general environment from offsite releases of radioactive material, and (2) the licensing and regulatory jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Requires the Secretary to arrange for the Administrator to dispose of defense wastes in a repository developed under this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to arrange for the Administrator to store defense wastes in storage facilities developed under this Act pending disposal in a repository.

Confers upon the Administrator responsibility for transporting nuclear waste under this Act.

Establishes in the Treasury the Nuclear Waste Administration Working Capital Fund.

 Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to reflect the amendments made by this Act.

Terminates those authorities of the Secretary regarding siting, construction, and operation of repositories, storage facilities, or test and evaluation facilities which were not transferred to the Administrator under this Act.

nuclear waste administration act establishes independent agency executive branch provide permanent disposal nuclear waste including siting construction operation additional repositories test evaluation facility additional storage facilities nuclear waste oversight board transfers administrator specified functions secretary energy prescribes guidelines nuclear waste facilities identification suitability candidate sites directs administrator establish provide interim storage spent nuclear fuel high level radioactive waste request proposals cooperative agreements pilot program storage priority waste requires administrator prior selecting storage facility site enter consent agreement host facility authorized official state site proposed located affected unit general local government indian tribe submit congress program plan list proposed storage facility sites cost estimates licensing constructing operating storage facility requires secretary issue guidelines evaluate potential sites select sites repositories subjects construction operation storage facility repository applicable standards protection general environment offsite releases radioactive material licensing regulatory jurisdiction nuclear_regulatory_commission requires secretary arrange administrator dispose defense wastes repository developed act authorizes secretary arrange administrator store defense wastes storage facilities developed act pending disposal repository confers administrator responsibility transporting nuclear waste act establishes treasury amends nuclear waste policy act reflect amendments act terminates authorities secretary siting construction operation repositories storage facilities test evaluation facilities transferred administrator act


Summary:
Safe and Secure Decommissioning Act of 2015

 Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to prohibit the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from approving the request of a licensee for a waiver of, or exemption from, a covered regulation applicable to a civilian nuclear power reactor that has permanently ceased to operate.

Specifies as a covered regulation: (1) an emergency preparedness or response regulation or requirement, or (2) a security regulation or requirement applicable to spent nuclear fuel.

Declares that this prohibition shall not apply to a civilian nuclear power reactor at which all spent nuclear fuel has been transferred to spent nuclear fuel dry casks.

safe secure decommissioning act amends atomic energy act prohibit nuclear_regulatory_commission approving request licensee waiver exemption covered regulation applicable civilian nuclear power reactor permanently ceased operate specifies covered regulation emergency preparedness response regulation requirement security regulation requirement applicable spent nuclear fuel declares prohibition shall apply civilian nuclear power reactor spent nuclear fuel transferred spent nuclear fuel dry casks


Summary:
Dry Cask Storage Act of 2015

 Amends the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to require each licensee of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to submit a plan for: (1) transfer (including on-going additional transfers) to spent nuclear fuel dry casks of any spent nuclear fuel stored by the licensee for at least seven years in spent nuclear fuel pools, and (2) configuration of the remaining spent nuclear fuel in the pool in a manner that minimizes the chance of a fire if there is a loss of water in the pool.

Requires the NRC to approve or disapprove the plan within 90 days after its submission.

Authorizes the NRC to make a grant to any licensee with an approved plan to assist in the cost of transferring spent nuclear fuel to dry casks under the plan.

Requires the emergency planning zone applicable to each civilian nuclear power reactor to be at least 10 miles in radius until all spent nuclear fuel at the reactor has been transferred to dry casks.

Directs the NRC to expand to 50 miles in radius the emergency planning zone applicable to each reactor not in compliance with an approved plan. Makes the licensee responsible for all coasts associated with expansion.

Requires the Department of the Treasury to transfer annually to the NRC, to pay the costs of the grants program, 10% of the interest generated during the preceding fiscal year from investments of the Nuclear Waste Fund.

dry cask storage act amends nuclear waste policy act require licensee nuclear_regulatory_commission nrc submit plan transfer including going additional transfers spent nuclear fuel dry casks spent nuclear fuel stored licensee seven years spent nuclear fuel pools configuration remaining spent nuclear fuel pool manner minimizes chance fire loss water pool requires nrc approve disapprove plan days submission authorizes nrc grant licensee approved plan assist cost transferring spent nuclear fuel dry casks plan requires emergency planning zone applicable civilian nuclear power reactor miles radius spent nuclear fuel reactor transferred dry casks directs nrc expand miles radius emergency planning zone applicable reactor compliance approved plan makes licensee responsible coasts associated expansion requires department treasury transfer annually nrc pay costs grants program interest generated preceding fiscal year investments nuclear_waste_fund


Summary:
Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2015

 Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to require a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensee, after consulting affected state and local governments, to submit to the NRC a post-shutdown decommissioning activities report (PSDAR) regarding the licensee's shutdown facilities for which a PSDAR is required.

Conditions public availability of the PSDAR upon NRC discretion to redact information necessary to protect the national security.

Requires the NRC to: (1) solicit public comments on the proposed PSDAR; (2) conduct at least two public hearings within the facility's host state; and (3) invite the host state to file a statement of either support, nonsupport, or of conditional support, including specific recommendations for changes.

Directs the NRC, upon receipt of the state's response, to determine, based upon specified considerations, the adequacy or inadequacy of the proposed PSDAR and to issue a decision accordingly.

Prescribes criteria for determining whether a proposed PSDAR is permissible if the host state files a statement of conditional support.

Requires a licensee to submit a new proposed PSDAR if the first one is rejected.

Conditions NRC approval of a proposed PSDAR upon inclusion in the document of a requirement that the licensee comply with applicable state law relating to air, water, or soil quality or radiological standards if that law is more restrictive than its federal counterpart.

Requires the NRC, in the case of existing decommissioning activities, to notify: (1) each licensee of the opportunity to develop a revised PSDAR for any facility for which a PSDAR has been submitted but for which decontamination and dismantlement activities have either not been commenced, or have been commenced for less than one year; and (2) each state within 50 miles of the facility of the opportunity to consult with the licensee.

nuclear plant decommissioning act amends atomic energy act require nuclear_regulatory_commission nrc licensee consulting affected state local governments submit nrc post shutdown decommissioning activities report licensee shutdown facilities required conditions public availability nrc discretion redact information necessary protect national security requires nrc solicit public comments proposed conduct public hearings facility host state invite host state file statement support conditional support including specific recommendations changes directs nrc receipt state response determine based specified considerations adequacy proposed issue decision accordingly prescribes criteria determining proposed permissible host state files statement conditional support requires licensee submit new proposed rejected conditions nrc approval proposed inclusion document requirement licensee comply applicable state law relating air water soil quality radiological standards law restrictive federal counterpart requires nrc case existing decommissioning activities notify licensee opportunity develop revised facility submitted decontamination activities commenced commenced year state miles facility opportunity consult licensee


Summary: This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to submit to certain congressional committees a plan to implement recommendations made by the Commission to Review the Effectiveness of the National Energy Laboratories to improve interactions between DOE and its National Laboratories.

bill directs department_of_energy doe submit certain congressional committees plan implement recommendations improve interactions doe national_laboratories


Summary:
Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to report on its capabilities to authorize, host, and oversee privately funded fusion and fission reactor prototypes up to 20 megawatts thermal output and related demonstration facilities at DOE-owned sites.

Prescribes report contents, including: (1) potential sites capable of hosting research, development, and demonstration of prototype reactors and related facilities; (2) long-term project costs; and (3) issues relating to potential cases of demonstration reactors up to 2 gigawatts of thermal output.

requires department_of_energy doe report capabilities authorize host oversee privately funded fusion reactor prototypes megawatts thermal output related demonstration facilities doe owned sites prescribes report contents including potential sites capable hosting research development demonstration prototype reactors related facilities long term project costs issues relating potential cases demonstration reactors thermal output


Summary:
Excess Uranium Transparency and Accountability Act

This bill amends the USEC Privatization Act governing uranium transfers and sales to require the Department of Energy (DOE) to issue, beginning January 1, 2017, and at least once every 10 years afterwards, a long-term excess uranium inventory management plan that details how all forms of excess DOE uranium inventories will be managed for a minimum period of 10 years.

This management plan must outline DOE steps that will: (1) minimize the impact of DOE's transferring, selling, or otherwise providing uranium upon the domestic uranium mining, conversion, and enrichment industries; and (2) ensure that the federal government maximizes for itself the potential value of uranium.

DOE may provide from its stockpile up to 2100 and up to 2700 metric tons of uranium in any form (currently, only natural and low-enriched uranium) for the periods calendar 2016-2023 and beginning January 1, 2024, respectively.

 Before making any determination that the sale of the material will not have an adverse material impact on the domestic uranium mining, conversion, or enrichment industry, DOE shall publish the proposed determination in the Federal Register pursuant to a rulemaking.

Any market analysis prepared by or for DOE as part of the determination process shall be subject to a peer review process consistent with Office of Management and Budget guidelines.

Beginning on January 1, 2021, the requirement for a DOE determination of no adverse material impact on the domestic uranium industry shall be waived for transferring, selling, or otherwise providing uranium if it has been identified in an updated long-term federal excess uranium inventory management plan.

excess uranium transparency accountability act bill amends usec privatization act governing uranium transfers sales require department_of_energy doe issue beginning january years long term excess uranium inventory management plan details forms excess doe uranium inventories managed minimum period years management plan outline doe steps minimize impact doe transferring selling providing uranium domestic uranium mining conversion enrichment industries ensure federal government maximizes potential value uranium doe provide stockpile metric tons uranium form currently natural low enriched uranium periods calendar beginning january respectively making determination sale material adverse material impact domestic uranium mining conversion enrichment industry doe shall publish proposed determination federal_register pursuant rulemaking market analysis prepared doe determination process shall subject peer review process consistent office_of_management_and_budget guidelines beginning january requirement doe determination adverse material impact domestic uranium industry shall waived transferring selling providing uranium identified updated long term federal excess uranium inventory management plan


Summary:
Nuclear Waste Informed Consent Act

This bill prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from making an expenditure from the Nuclear Waste Fund for the costs incurred by DOE in connection with the transportation, treating, or packaging of spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste to be disposed of in a repository site, to be stored in a monitored, retrievable storage site, or to be used in a test and evaluation facility, or for the costs associated with acquisition, design, modification, replacement, operation, and construction of facilities at such a site, unless DOE has entered into an agreement to host a repository with:

 the governor of the state in which the repository is proposed to be located, each affected local government and any contiguous local government through which spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste will be transported for disposal at the repository, and each affected Indian tribe. Any such agreement must be written and signed by all parties, shall be binding on the parties, and shall not be amended or revoked except by mutual agreement of the parties.

nuclear waste informed consent act bill prohibits department_of_energy doe making expenditure nuclear_waste_fund costs incurred doe connection transportation treating packaging spent nuclear fuel high level radioactive waste disposed repository site stored monitored retrievable storage site test evaluation facility costs associated acquisition design modification replacement operation construction facilities site doe entered agreement host repository governor state repository proposed located affected local government contiguous local government spent nuclear fuel high level radioactive waste transported disposal repository affected indian tribe agreement written signed parties shall binding parties shall amended revoked mutual agreement parties


Summary:
Stop Nuclear Waste by Our Lakes Act of 2015

This bill directs the Department of State to request that the International Joint Commission:

 review the long-term impacts of the location of the Deep Geological Repository (proposed by the Ontario Power Generation for disposal of 7 million cubic feet of low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste at the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant in Kincardine, Ontario), including an examination of the conclusions reached in the Environmental Assessment Report of the Joint Review Panel, and whether those conclusions would adequately protect Lake Huron and the other Great Lakes from the risks posed by the operation of the Deep Geological Repository for low and intermediate-level nuclear waste; and issue a report on the Commission's findings to the governments of the United States and Canada. If Canada decides to dispose permanently of high-level nuclear waste at a site in close proximity to the Deep Geological Repository or another site in the Great Lakes Basin the Department shall:

 request the Commission to study the risks to the Great Lakes Basin of storing high-level nuclear waste in close proximity to the Deep Geological Repository or another site in the Great Lakes Basin, and bring the matter before the Commission. The Department shall undertake negotiations with Canada to:

 delay the final decision on the Deep Geologic Repository until after the Commission delivers the report required by this Act, delay any final decision to store high-level nuclear waste in close proximity to the Deep Geological Repository or another site in the Great Lakes Basin until after the Commission conducts the study required by this Act, and consent to bringing the matter of such disposal of high-level nuclear waste before the Commission.

stop nuclear waste lakes act bill directs department_of_state request review long term impacts location proposed disposal million cubic feet low- intermediate level nuclear waste bruce nuclear power plant including examination conclusions reached conclusions adequately protect lake_huron great lakes risks posed operation low intermediate level nuclear waste issue report commission findings governments united_states canada canada decides dispose permanently high level nuclear waste site close proximity site great lakes basin department shall request commission study risks great lakes basin storing high level nuclear waste close proximity site great lakes basin bring matter commission department shall undertake negotiations canada delay final decision commission delivers report required act delay final decision store high level nuclear waste close proximity site great lakes basin commission conducts study required act consent bringing matter disposal high level nuclear waste commission


Summary:
Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act

This bill amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to revise the objectives for the civilian nuclear energy research and development programs of the Department of Energy (DOE).

DOE shall carry out a specified program to enhance U.S. capabilities to develop new reactor technologies and related systems technologies through high-performance computation modeling and simulation techniques.

DOE shall: (1) determine the mission need for a versatile reactor-based fast neutron source, which shall operate as a national user facility; and (2) submit a plan to Congress for establishment of such a facility.

DOE may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to establish a National Nuclear Innovation Center that:

 enables the testing and demonstration of reactor concepts to be proposed and funded by the private sector, establishes and operates a database to store and share data and knowledge on nuclear science between federal agencies and private industry, and establishes capabilities to develop and test reactor electric and nonelectric integration and energy conversion systems. DOE shall submit to Congress three alternative 10-year budget plans for civilian nuclear energy research and development.

The NRC shall report to Congress on:

 the extent to which it is capable of licensing advanced reactor designs developed under this bill by the end of a specified four-year period, and any organizational or institutional barriers it will need to overcome to be able to license such designs.

nuclear energy innovation capabilities act bill amends energy policy act revise objectives civilian nuclear energy research development programs department_of_energy doe doe shall carry specified program enhance capabilities develop new reactor technologies related systems technologies high performance computation modeling simulation techniques doe shall determine mission need reactor based fast source shall operate national user facility submit plan congress establishment facility doe enter memorandum understanding nuclear_regulatory_commission nrc establish enables testing demonstration reactor concepts proposed funded private sector establishes operates database store share data knowledge nuclear science federal agencies private industry establishes capabilities develop test reactor electric integration energy conversion systems doe shall submit congress alternative year budget plans civilian nuclear energy research development nrc shall report congress extent capable licensing advanced reactor designs developed bill end specified year period organizational institutional barriers need overcome able license designs


Summary:
Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act

(Sec.3)This bill provides for: (1) a program to develop the expertise and regulatory processes necessary to allow innovation and the commercialization of advanced nuclear reactors, and (2) 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 closures.

(Sec.4)Definitions are provided for terms used in this bill, including "advanced nuclear reactor."

(Sec.5)The bill amends the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to remove amounts appropriated for the Advanced Reactor Program from the NRC's fee recovery requirement.

(Sec.6)The NRC must ensure that it has adequate funding to conduct and accelerate the licensing of advanced nuclear reactor facilities.

The bill directs the NRC to ensure the collection of fees is equal to their budget authority.The NRC is authorized to collect fees through: (1)fees for services that specifically benefit a particular person or entity, and (2)annual fees to fund regulatory costs.The bill places a cap on the amount of annual fee that may be charged to an operating reactor.The NRC may waive the cap for one-year.

Performance metrics and milestone schedules must be developed for activities requested by applicants and licensees to improve transparency and accountability.In addition, the NRC must implement processes to ensure accurate invoicing.

(Sec.7)The NRC must establish stages within the licensing process for reactorsand implement risk-informed performance-based licensing evaluation techniques and guidance.Research and test reactor licensing must also be developed.In addition, the NRC must complete a rulemaking by the end of 2023 to establish a technology-inclusive regulatory framework for licensing advanced nuclear reactors.

The NRC is also directed to train staff and develop the expertise required to implement stages within the licensing process.

The NRC must report to Congress on: (1) the implementation of stages in the licensing process, and (2) the use of risk-informed and performance-based techniques within the existing regulatory framework.

(Sec.8)The Department of Energy shall establish a program to make cost-share grants to applicants for the purpose of funding a portion of the NRC pre-application and application review fees.

(Sec.9)The NRC must report to Congress within one year regarding the safety and feasibility of extending the duration of uranium recovery licenses from 10 to 20 years.

nuclear energy innovation modernization act bill provides program develop expertise regulatory processes necessary allow innovation commercialization advanced nuclear reactors revised fee recovery structure ensure availability resources meet industry needs existing licensees unfairly inaccurate workload projections premature existing reactor closures provided terms bill including advanced nuclear reactor bill amends omnibus_budget_reconciliation_act remove amounts appropriated nrc fee recovery requirement nrc ensure adequate funding conduct accelerate licensing advanced nuclear reactor facilities bill directs nrc ensure collection fees equal budget authority nrc authorized collect fees services specifically benefit particular person entity fees fund regulatory costs bill places cap annual fee charged operating reactor nrc waive cap year performance metrics milestone schedules developed activities requested applicants licensees improve transparency accountability addition nrc implement processes ensure accurate nrc establish stages licensing process implement risk informed performance based licensing evaluation techniques guidance research test reactor licensing developed addition nrc complete rulemaking end establish technology inclusive regulatory framework licensing advanced nuclear reactors nrc directed train staff develop expertise required implement stages licensing process nrc report congress implementation stages licensing process use risk informed performance based techniques existing regulatory framework department energy shall establish program cost share grants applicants purpose funding portion nrc pre application application review fees nrc report congress year safety feasibility extending duration uranium recovery licenses years


Summary:
United Kingdom Trade Continuity Act

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the United States supports the decision by the people of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union (EU).

The United States shall continue to comply with the terms of all existing commercial agreements between it and the EU governing commerce between the United States and the United Kingdom, unless specifically provided otherwise.

It is the sense of Congress that the President should initiate negotiations expeditiously with the United Kingdom to reach a final comprehensive bilateral trade agreement.

Trade authorities (fast track) procedures shall apply to a congressional bill implementing such a trade agreement.

act bill expresses sense congress united_states supports decision people united_kingdom leave european_union united_states shall continue comply terms existing commercial agreements governing commerce united_states united_kingdom specifically provided sense congress president initiate negotiations expeditiously united_kingdom reach final comprehensive bilateral trade agreement trade authorities fast track procedures shall apply congressional bill implementing trade agreement


Summary:
Responsible Disposal Reauthorization Act of 2016

This bill amends the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act of 1978 to extend through FY2048 authorization for the Department of Energy to operate the Cheney disposal cell in Mesa County, Colorado.

responsible disposal reauthorization act bill amends extend authorization department_of_energy operate disposal cell colorado


Summary:
Department of Energy Whistleblower Accountability Act

This bill amends the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 to address whistle-blower protections for Department of Energy employees.

bill amends energy reorganization act address whistle blower protections department_of_energy employees