Department of Energy Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1981 and 1982-Civilian Applications

(Reported to House from the Committee on Science and Technology with amendment, H. Rept. 96-967 (Part IV))

Department of Energy Authorization Act for Fiscal Years 1981 and 1982 - Civilian Applications - =Title I: Research and Development= - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for operating expenses for specified: (1) fossil energy coal programs; (2) fossil energy oil and gas programs; (3) conservation programs; (4) solar technology programs; (5) solar applications programs; (6) biomass energy systems programs; and (7) nuclear fission energy programs. Prohibits any funds appropriated pursuant to authorization in this title from being used for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant project near Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish a research, development, and demonstration program for high-level radioactive waste disposal to include integrated technology demonstrations to develop the necessary data and information for full-scale repositories, and to confirm the existence of technological solutions for safety disposing of high-level waste. Details the implementation of such program.

Directs the Secretary to conduct research, development and demonstration on advanced techniques for disposing of low-level radioactive wastes. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study relating to the disposal of low-level radioactive wastes and to report the results of such study to Congress.

Directs the Secretary to carry out a high-level liquid nuclear waste management demonstration project at the Western New York Service Center in West Valley, New York. Directs the Secretary to carry out the project by vitrifying the high-level liquid nuclear wastes or by employing the most effective technology available for solidification. Details the specifics of such project. Directs the Secretary to annually report to Congress concerning such project. Directs the Secretary to conduct a study of the fiscal impact of activities carried out in conjunction with the West Valley project and to make recommendations to Congress concerning the payment of just and reasonable sums to the town of Ashford and West Valley Central School District during such project.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for operating expenses for specified nuclear fusion programs. Sets forth the objectives of the magnetic fusion energy research, development, and demonstration program. Directs the Secretary to carry out demonstration programs to meet such objectives. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for operating expenses for specified: (1) geothermal energy programs; (2) small-scale hydropower programs; (3) electric energy systems programs; (4) energy storage systems programs; (5) basic sciences programs; (6) high energy physics programs; (7) nuclear physics programs; (8) uranium enrichment process development program; and (9) environmental research and development programs.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for specified capital equipment expenses not related to construction.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for supply research and development plant and capital equipment, including planning, construction, acquisition, or modification of facilities, including land acquisition, for the following projects as specified: (1) fossil; (2) solar technology; (3) geothermal; (4) nuclear fission; (5) magnetic fusion; (6) environment; (7) supporting research; (8) high energy physics; (9) nuclear physics; and (10) uranium enrichment activities.

Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress: (1) a report detailing the Department of Energy's policy and position on sharing costs, and facilities as contractually negotiated for large coal conversion demonstration and pilot plant design, construction and operation; and (2) a detailed description of the comprehensive, multiyear program plan for energy conservation research, development, and demonstration.

Prohibits the use of authorized funds to: (1) place, bury, or store any irradiated nuclear fuel assembly, (or part thereof) from any nuclear reactor in any subsurface geologic repository unless any assembly (or part thereof) can be easily and economically retrieved; and (2) design or construct spent fuel canisters or containers intended for permanent emplacement in any repository. Stipulates that placing, burying, or storing reprocessed wastes which have been glassified, vitrified, or treated to provide long-term isolation from the biosphere shall not be prohibited.

Provides that the Federal share of each plant and capital equipment construction project, with respect to DOE civilian research and development programs, shall be funded exclusively from an account separate from operating expenses; and, for purposes of the President's annual budget submission and of related reports submitted by the Secretary to the House Committee on Science and Technology and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, each plant and capital equipment construction project shall be assigned or reassigned to one of the following categories: (1) major construction (a total estimated Federal cost of at least $5,000,000); (2) minor construction ($1,000,000 to 5,000,000); (3) general plant projects (up to $1,000,000); or (4) planning and design.

Directs the Secretary to establish a new separate activity at the Headquarters level, to be known as the Research and Development Construction and Facilities Office, for the purpose of providing construction services.

Directs the Secretary to assign a qualified seven member panel of engineers and architects to review and report on the design of all planned laboratory/office facilities under the control of the Secretary, including those for which appropriations have been made but where construction has not proceeded beyond the foundation. Directs the Secretary, after design review, to report to Congress.

Subjects all funds authorized to be appropriated pursuant to the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1980 for research, development, and demonstration to certain requirements of the Energy Reorganization Act.

=Title II: Commercialization and Related Activities= - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for expenses for specified renewable resources and conservation commercialization programs and related activities.

=Title III: Regulatory and Related Functions= - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for expenses to the Economic Regulatory Administration, the Office of Hearings and Appeals, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and for the energy information program and the strategic petroleum reserve program.

=Title IV: Power Marketing and Federal Leasing= - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for the Alaska Power Administration, the Southeastern Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, and the Western Area Power Administration.

Authorizes appropriations for specified Federal leasing and fuel data gathering and analysis expenses.

=Title V: Nuclear Assessment, Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage and Commercial Waste Remedial Action= - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for uranium resource assessment operating expenses and capital investment.

Authorizes appropriations for spent nuclear fuel storage and remedial action programs.

=Title VI: Other Renewable Resources and Conservation Activities= - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for: (1) fossil energy activities operating expenses; (2) fossil energy activities construction projects; (3) solar energy activities; and (4) conservation activities.

Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a detailed description of the comprehensive program and management plan for the DOE conservation and solar technology transfer programs.

=Title VII: Other Departmental Activities= - Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1981 for: (1) uranium enrichment operating expenses; (2) uranium enrichment construction projects; (3) uranium enrichment capital equipment not related to construction; (4) operating expenses for DOE administrative activities; (5) construction for DOE administrative activities; (6) capital acquisition and fabrication not related to construction for DOE administrative activities.

Directs the Secretary to submit to Congress a report on the long term policy and plan for U.S. uranium enrichment which shall provide, among other things, a full and complete statement of DOE policy governing commercial uranium enrichment services and an associated plan, with projections, to the year 2000.

=Title VIII: Provisions Regarding Use of Funds Limitation on Reprogramming of Funds= - Prohibits any amount available under this Act (other than titles I and IV) from being either increased above the amount expressly authorized to be appropriated or reduced by more than five percent (or $10,000,000, whichever is less) unless: (1) the Secretary or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has provided the appropriate authorizing committee with a detailed statement of the proposed action and the committee does not object within 30 days; or (2) the committee approves the proposal before the 30 day period has expired.

Prohibits any amounts available under titles I and VI of this Act from being used for any program in excess of the amount expressly authorized for a particular program and prohibits any amount appropriated pursuant to titles I and IV from being used for any program not presented to Congress unless: (1) the Secretary has provided the appropriate authorizing committee with a detailed statement of the proposed action and committees does not object within 30 days; or (2) the committee approves the proposal before the 30 day period has expired. Stipulates that, for specified sections of title I, funds appropriated pursuant to this Act shall not, as a result of reprogramming, be reduced by more than ten percent.

Permits any revenues received in fiscal year 1981 by the DOE in providing uranium enrichment services to be retained and used to offset the Department's costs in conducting uranium enrichment service activities.

Permits unexpended balances of any appropriations to the Department for operating expenses, plant and capital equipment, or any other program, purpose or function, to be transferred to the new appropriation account established by this Act for the same program, purpose, or function.

Prohibits this Act from applying with respect to any authorization in any other law for fiscal year 1981 appropriations for any military application of nuclear energy, for research and development in support of the armed forces, or for the defense and security of the U.S.

Prohibits amounts appropriated for research, development, and demonstration programs under titles VI and VII from being used to acquire land or for any equipment which will cost the Federal Government more than $2,000,000, unless stated conditions are met.

Provides, subject to certain exceptions, that authorizations for any construction line time project shall remain effective without fiscal year limitation through fiscal year 1983.