An original bill to authorize appropriations to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in accordance with section 261 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, and section 305 of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974, as amended, and for other purposes.

Summary

Title I: Authorization of Appropriations for Fiscal Years 1982 and 1983 - Authorizes appropriations for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for fiscal years 1982 and 1983, and allocates the funds for: (1) nuclear reactor regulation, including licensing review work for a fast breeder reactor plant project and gas-cooled thermal reactor preapplication review; (2) inspection and enforcement, including the Nuclear Data Link System; (3) nuclear material safety and safeguards; (4) nuclear regulatory research, including fast breeder reactor safety research, gas-cooled thermal reactor safety research, and the Loss of Fluid Test Facility research program; (5) program technical support; and (6) program direction and administration. Limits the NRC's authority to enter into grants and cooperative agreements with universities to not more than one percent of the amount authorized to be appropriated for nuclear regulatory research. Prohibits the NRC from reprogramming the funds authorized to be appropriated for any activity under this Act by an increase or decrease in excess of $500,000 for a period of 30 calendar days after notice of such action has been sent to the appropriate congressional committees, unless each committee has transmitted a written notice that it has no objection to such action. Authorizes the NRC to retain monies received for cooperative nuclear research programs for salaries and expenses for such programs and to transfer sums from the amounts appropriated under this Act to other government agencies which perform the work for which such appropriations were made. Authorizes payments under this Act only to the extent provided in advance in appropriation Acts. Title II: Amendments to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 - Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to authorize the NRC to issue to a nuclear powerplant an interim operating license which authorizes fuel loading, testing, and operation at a specific power level, pending final action by the NRC on the final operating license application for such facility. Limits the power levels at which a facility may operate under such an interim license. Requires that the filing of the final safety evaluation on the application by the NRC staff and a State, local, or utility emergency preparedness plan for the facility precede the filing of a petition for an interim license. Removes the requirement that the NRC hold a hearing on such a petition after ten days notice and publication once in the Federal Register. Permits the NRC to issue an interim operating license or an amendment thereto upon finding that: (1) all legal requirements, except a required hearing, are met; (2) there will be adequate protection of public health and safety and the environment during the period of interim operation; and (3) denial of such license will result in a delay in the operation of the powerplant. Requires that a final order for the issuance of such a license be transmitted to specified congressional committees. Makes such final orders subject to judicial review. Requires parties to the final operating license application hearing to notify the NRC of any violations of an interim license or any dangers to the public health and safety and the environment during interim operation. Directs the NRC to minimize the issuance of such licenses. Terminates the NRC's authority to issue such licenses on December 31, 1983. Authorizes the NRC to issue and make immediately effective license amendments which involve no significant hazards consideration, notwithstanding a request for a hearing. Subjects to criminal penalties any person who intentionally and willfully disrupts or attempts to disrupt the normal operation of any licensed nuclear facility. Title III: Miscellaneous Provisions - Directs the NRC to promulgate regulations for determining whether a license amendment involves no significant hazards consideration. Authorizes the NRC to issue an operating license for a nuclear powerplant in the absence of an approved emergency preparedness plan if there exists an adequate plan for the public health and safety. Directs the NRC to establish an independent, temporary Advisory Panel to evaluate and report to specified congressional committees on the nuclear powerplant licensing process. Directs the NRC to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Energy for the removal and disposal of radioactive materials resulting from the cleanup of Unit 2 of the Three Mile Island powerplant.

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2 official files

• Indefinitely postponed in Senate

  summary · EN · 30 March 1982

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 15 May 1981

  Open at official source

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