S. 512, would direct the Secretary of Energy to enter into cooperative agreements with private-sector entities to develop standard designs for small modular nuclear reactors as well as processes for licensing such reactors with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). The bill would authorize DOE to cover up to 50 percent of the cost of developing designs for such reactors and up to 25 percent of the cost to demonstrate licensing processes and would specify a final deadline for all work to be completed by January 1, 2021. CBO estimates that fully funding S. 512 would require appropriations totaling $467 million over the 2012-2016 period. Read full pdf at CBO
