S.Amdt. 6548

The amendment proposed by Mr. Lee aims to add a Nuclear Energy Launch Pad program to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The purpose of this addition is to create a system for testing and demonstrating whether advanced nuclear technologies—which include nuclear fuel cycle facilities and advanced nuclear reactors—are commercially feasible.

To achieve this, the amendment adds the following:

• Nuclear Energy Launch Pad Zones: The Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy would designate secure Federal lands, including National Laboratory sites and non-Federal sites, as zones for testing. These zones are intended to provide streamlined licensing and a easier transition to commercial operation.

• Support and Infrastructure: For projects on Department-owned or National Laboratory land, the Assistant Secretary would provide basic infrastructure like water, electric power, roads, and fiber optic communication, as well as environmental and biological land surveys.

• Private Entity Participation: Eligible private entities with mature designs, expertise, and financial resources would be selected through a competitive process. These entities must pay the full costs for the design, construction, operation, and decommissioning of the technologies.

• Oversight and Licensing: The amendment directs the Assistant Secretary to use existing or new agreements with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to provide expedited licensing pathways. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary can require financial assurance, such as insurance or surety bonds, to cover potential failures or site restoration.