H.R. 4084 would amend current law to restate the objectives of Department of Energy (DOE) programs related to the research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies involving nuclear energy. The bill would authorize DOE to study the need for a new reactor to support research and development of advanced reactor systems, expand capabilities in the area of high-performance computation modeling and simulation techniques, and implement a program to enable the private sector to test and demonstrate reactor concepts. In carrying out such activities, H.R. 4084 would require DOE to continue to collaborate with the national laboratories, other federal agencies, universities, and private firms.
DOE is already pursing activities similar to those envisioned under the bill, so CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 4084 would not significantly affect the agency’s costs to carry out its nuclear programs, which are subject to appropriation. (Funding for nuclear energy programs in 2016 totals $986 million.)
Because enacting H.R 4084 would not affect direct spending or revenues, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4084 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027.
H.R. 4084 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.
