(a) Purposes

The purposes of this part are—

(1) to require the Secretary to carry out civilian nuclear programs in a way that will lead toward the commercial availability of advanced nuclear reactor technologies; and

(2) to authorize such activities to further the timely availability of advanced nuclear reactor technologies, including technologies that utilize standardized designs or exhibit passive safety features.

(b) Definitions

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For purposes of this part—

(1) the term “advanced nuclear reactor technologies” means—

(A) advanced light water reactors that may be commercially available in the near-term, including but not limited to mid-sized reactors with passive safety features for the generation of commercial electric power from nuclear fission; and

(B) other advanced nuclear reactor technologies that may require prototype demonstration prior to commercial availability in the mid- or long-term, including but not limited to high-temperature, gas-cooled reactors and liquid metal reactors, for the generation of commercial electric power from nuclear fission;

(2) the term “Commission” means the Nuclear Regulatory Commission;

(3) the term “standardized design” means a design for a nuclear power plant that may be utilized for a multiple number of units or a multiple number of sites; and

(4) the term “certification” means approval by the Commission of a standardized design.