The term “advanced nuclear facility” means any nuclear facility the reactor design for which is approved after December 31, 1993, by the Commission (and such design or a substantially similar design of comparable capacity was not approved on or before that date).
The term “combined license” means a combined construction and operating license for an advanced nuclear facility issued by the Commission.
The term “sponsor” means a person who has applied for or been granted a combined license.
The Secretary may enter into contracts under this section with sponsors of an advanced nuclear facility that cover a total of 6 reactors, with the 6 reactors consisting of not more than 3 different reactor designs, in accordance with paragraph (2).
In this paragraph, the term “loan cost” has the meaning given the term “cost of a loan guarantee” under section 661a(5)(C) of title 2.
Subject to paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), the costs that shall be paid by the Secretary pursuant to a contract entered into under this section are the costs that result from a delay covered by the contract.
The Secretary may receive and accept payments from any non-Federal source, which shall be made available without further appropriation for the payment of the covered costs.
Any contract between a sponsor and the Secretary covering an advanced nuclear facility under this section shall require the sponsor to use due diligence to shorten, and to end, the delay covered by the contract.
For each advanced nuclear facility that is covered by a contract under this section, the Commission shall submit to Congress and the Secretary quarterly reports summarizing the status of licensing actions associated with the advanced nuclear facility.
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section.
Not later than 270 days after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall issue for public comment an interim final rule regulating contracts authorized by this section.
Not later than 1 year after August 8, 2005, the Secretary shall issue a notice of final rulemaking regulating the contracts.