HR 6544 United States House · 118th Congress

Atomic Energy Advancement Act

The Atomic Energy Advancement Act modernizes nuclear energy regulation and deployment in the United States. It requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to update its mission to prioritize efficient licensing while maintaining safety standards, establishes reduced fees for advanced reactor applicants, and creates a prize program to reward the first successful advanced reactor licensing. The bill also streamlines environmental reviews for nuclear projects at brownfield sites and extends the Price-Anderson Act, which limits liability for nuclear accidents. Additionally, it mandates the Commission to develop risk-informed oversight procedures for nuclear facilities.

Sub-Topics: Nuclear Hazardous Materials

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2023

Committee Review

Feb 2024

House Passage

Feb 2024

Senate Passage

President

Introduced Dec 1, 2023 Last action Feb 29, 2024

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What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 4 edits · Feb 28, 2024

MODERATE

The engrossed version of HR 6544 adds a new subsection on fusion machines that defines the term in the Atomic Energy Act, requires the NRC to complete a rulemaking by December 31, 2027 establishing a technology-inclusive regulatory framework for fusion machine license applications, and mandates a report evaluating the FAA aircraft certification process as a model for mass-manufactured fusion machines. It also halves the deadline for the NRC to develop performance metrics and milestone schedules from 180 days to 90 days, and explicitly excludes fusion reactor applicants from the definition of 'advanced nuclear reactor applicant.'

SCOPE

New subsection 102(e) adds a definition of 'fusion machine' (a particle accelerator capable of transforming atomic nuclei through fusion processes and directly capturing resultant products) to the Atomic Energy Act, and requires the NRC to complete a rulemaking by December 31, 2027 establishing a technology-inclusive regulatory framework for optional use by fusion machine applicants.

REQUIREMENT

New subsection 102(e)(3) requires the NRC to submit a report within 1 year of enactment on risk- and performance-based licensing frameworks for mass-manufactured fusion machines, including evaluation of the FAA's design, manufacturing, and operations certification process for aircraft as a potential model.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the NRC to develop performance metrics and milestone schedules under section 102(b) was reduced from 180 days to 90 days after enactment, accelerating the agency's obligation to establish measurable licensing timelines.

DEFINITION

Section 102(c) now explicitly states that the term 'advanced nuclear reactor applicant' does not include an applicant for a license for a nuclear fusion reactor, carving fusion out of the advanced reactor fee and prize provisions.

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Committee

Amendments

Feb 29, 2024

Committee

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

upper

Feb 28, 2024

Introduced

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 365 - 36, 1 Present (Roll no. 55). (text: CR H703-711)

lower

Feb 28, 2024

Lower · Passed

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 365 - 36, 1 Present (Roll no. 55). (text: CR H703-711)

lower

Feb 28, 2024

Introduced

Mr. Duncan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

lower

Feb 16, 2024

Lower · Passed

Committee on Foreign Affairs discharged.

lower

Feb 16, 2024

Lower · Passed

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology discharged.

lower

Feb 16, 2024

Lower · Passed

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-391, Part I.

lower

Dec 5, 2023

Introduced

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 47 - 2.

lower

Dec 5, 2023

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

lower

Dec 1, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

lower

Dec 1, 2023

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

Oct 24, 2023

Committee

Consideration and Mark-up Session Held by the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security Prior to Introduction and Referral

lower

Jul 18, 2023

Committee

Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security Prior to Introduction and Referral

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor