H.R. 9197: Advancing Research in Nuclear Fuel Recycling Act

This bill, known as the Advancing Research in Nuclear Fuel Recycling Act, aims to study new technologies and opportunities for recycling spent nuclear fuel. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Study on Recycling Technologies

The bill requires the Secretary of Energy, through the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, to conduct an analysis within 90 days of its enactment. The study will focus on several key areas related to spent nuclear fuel, which includes:

• The feasibility and risks of converting spent nuclear fuel into usable forms for a variety of applications like commercial reactors, advanced reactors, medical uses, and others.
• The efficacy of recycling spent nuclear fuel collected from temporary storage facilities in the U.S. for use in existing and advanced reactors.
• A comparison of recycling processes using different methods (aqueous vs. non-aqueous) and the once-through fuel cycle.
• The potential extraction of certain isotopes from nuclear waste for medical and industrial purposes.
• The integration and coordination of recycling facilities with advanced nuclear reactors and other related facilities.
• The economic and health impacts on communities and entities involved in temporary storage of nuclear waste.
• The identification of appropriate siting and sizing approaches for recycling facilities, both centralized and regional.
• The establishment of tracking methods for recycled nuclear fuel and byproducts of the recycling process.
• Assessment of regulatory gaps and comparisons with definitions and practices used in other nations.
• Evaluation of policy changes needed to support the development and adoption of recycling technologies.

Report Submission

Within one year of the bill's enactment, the Secretary of Energy must submit a public report to various congressional committees. This report should include:

• Results from the study, formatted for a general audience and totaling no more than 120 pages.
• An executive summary and historical context explaining previous barriers to recycling in the U.S.
• Identification of key challenges and barriers to scaling up nuclear fuel recycling processes.
• Policy recommendations to address these challenges, detailing potential benefits and risks.

Definitions

The bill provides definitions for several key terms, including:

• National Laboratory: As defined by the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
• Nuclear Waste: Encompasses spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.
• Recycling: Refers to the recovery and reuse of valuable components from nuclear waste.

Goals of the Bill

The overarching goal of this legislation is to explore the potential for nuclear fuel recycling as a means of reducing waste and creating usable fuel sources. It aims to improve the safety and efficiency of nuclear waste management in the United States.

Relevant Companies

None found