---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 18751"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "18751"
heading: "Infrastructure planning for micro and small modular nuclear reactors"
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/18751"
units:
  - "Chapter 162 — Energy Infrastructure"
  - "Subchapter III — Fuels and Technology Infrastructure Investments"
  - "Part A — Nuclear Energy Infrastructure"
---

# §18751. Infrastructure planning for micro and small modular nuclear reactors

- (a) **Definitions—** In this section:
  - (1) **Advanced nuclear reactor—** The term “[advanced nuclear reactor](/usc/42/16274a.md?p=d-1)” has the meaning given the term in [section 16271(b) of this title](/usc/42/16271.md?p=b).
  - (2) **Isolated community—** The term “isolated community” has the meaning given the term in [section 17392(a) of this title](/usc/42/17392.md?p=a).
  - (3) **Micro-reactor—** The term “micro-reactor” means an [advanced nuclear reactor](/usc/42/16274a.md?p=d-1) that has an electric power production capacity that is not greater than 50 megawatts.
  - (4) **National Laboratory—** The term “[National Laboratory](/usc/42/7381c–1.md?p=a-3)” has the meaning given the term in [section 15801 of this title](/usc/42/15801.md).
  - (5) **Small modular reactor—** The term “small modular reactor” means an [advanced nuclear reactor](/usc/42/16274a.md?p=d-1)—
    - (A) with a rated capacity of less than 300 electrical megawatts; and
    - (B) that can be constructed and operated in combination with similar reactors at a [single](/usc/42/2304.md?p=m) site.
- (b) **Report—** Not later than 180 days after November 15, 2021, the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) shall submit to the Committee on [Energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committees on [Energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) and [Commerce](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) and Science, Space, and Technology of the House of [Representatives](/usc/42/3058f.md?p=5) a report that describes how the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) could enhance [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) [resilience](/usc/42/300j–19a.md?p=l-1) and reduce carbon emissions with the use of [micro-reactors](#a-3) and [small modular reactors](#a-5).
- (c) **Elements—** The report required by [subsection (b)](#b) shall address the following:
  - (1) An evaluation by the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) of current [resilience](/usc/42/300j–19a.md?p=l-1) and carbon reduction requirements for [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) for [facilities](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) to determine whether changes are needed to address—
    - (A) the need to provide uninterrupted power to [facilities](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) for at least 3 days during power grid failures;
    - (B) the need for protection against cyber threats and electromagnetic pulses; and
    - (C) [resilience](/usc/42/300j–19a.md?p=l-1) to extreme natural events, including earthquakes, volcanic activity, tornados, hurricanes, floods, tsunamis, lahars, landslides, seiches, a large quantity of snowfall, and very low or high temperatures.
  - (2) A strategy of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) for using nuclear [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) to meet [resilience](/usc/42/300j–19a.md?p=l-1) and carbon reduction goals of [facilities](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1).
  - (3) A strategy to partner with private industry to develop and deploy [micro-reactors](#a-3) and [small modular reactors](#a-5) to remote communities in order to replace diesel generation and other fossil fuels.
  - (4) An assessment by the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) of the value associated with enhancing the [resilience](/usc/42/300j–19a.md?p=l-1) of a [facility](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) by transitioning to power from [micro-reactors](#a-3) and [small modular reactors](#a-5) and to co-located nuclear [facilities](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) with the capability to provide dedicated power to the [facility](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) during a grid outage or failure.
  - (5) The plans of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1)—
    - (A) for deploying a [micro-reactor](#a-3) and a [small modular reactor](#a-5) to produce [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) for use by a [facility](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) in the [United States](/usc/42/403.md?p=k) by 2026;
    - (B) for deploying a [small modular reactor](#a-5) to produce [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) for use by a [facility](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) of the [Department](/usc/42/18701.md?p=1) in the [United States](/usc/42/403.md?p=k) by 2029; and
    - (C) to include [micro-reactors](#a-3) and [small modular reactors](#a-5) in the planning for meeting future [facility](/usc/42/11049.md?p=4) [energy](/usc/42/6311.md?p=7) needs.
- (d) **Financial and technical assistance for siting micro-reactors, small modular reactors, and advanced nuclear reactors—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) shall offer financial and technical assistance to entities to conduct feasibility studies for the purpose of identifying suitable locations for the deployment of [micro-reactors](#a-3), [small modular reactors](#a-5), and [advanced nuclear reactors](/usc/42/16274a.md?p=d-1) in [isolated communities](#a-2).
  - (2) **Requirement—** Prior to providing financial and technical assistance under [paragraph (1)](#d-1), the [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) shall conduct robust community engagement and outreach for the purpose of identifying levels of interest in [isolated communities](#a-2).
  - (3) **Limitation—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/18701.md?p=3) shall not disburse more than 50 percent of the amounts available for financial assistance under this subsection to the [National Laboratories](/usc/42/7381c–1.md?p=a-3).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title III, § 40321, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1016.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of this title.