To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to jointly carry out a study on the use of thorium-liquid fueled nuclear reactors for naval power needs, and for other purposes.

Directs the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to jointly carry out a study on the use of thorium-liquid fueled nuclear reactors for naval power needs under a provision of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 which requires any new major combatant vessels for the U.S. strike force to be constructed with an integrated nuclear power system.

[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H.R. 1534 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 1534

To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
  of Staff to jointly carry out a study on the use of thorium-liquid 
 fueled nuclear reactors for naval power needs, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             March 16, 2009

  Mr. Sestak introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Armed Services

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To direct the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs 
  of Staff to jointly carry out a study on the use of thorium-liquid 
 fueled nuclear reactors for naval power needs, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. STUDY ON THORIUM-LIQUID FUELED REACTORS FOR NAVAL FORCES.

    (a) Study Required.--The Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of 
the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall jointly carry out a study on the use of 
thorium-liquid fueled nuclear reactors for naval power needs pursuant 
to section 1012, of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 303).
    (b) Contents of Study.--In carrying out the study required under 
subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint 
Chiefs of Staff shall, with respect to naval power requirements for the 
Navy strike and amphibious force--
            (1) compare and contrast thorium-liquid fueled reactor 
        concept to the 2005 Quick Look, 2006 Navy Alternative 
        Propulsion Study, and the Navy CG(X) Analysis of Alternatives 
        study;
            (2) identify the benefits to naval operations which 
        thorium-liquid fueled nuclear reactors or uranium reactors 
        would provide to major surface combatants compared to 
        conventionally fueled ships, including such benefits with 
        respect to--
                    (A) fuel cycle, from mining to waste disposal;
                    (B) security of fuel supply;
                    (C) power needs for advanced weapons and sensors;
                    (D) safety of operation, waste handling and 
                disposal, and proliferation issues compared to uranium 
                reactors;
                    (E) no requirement to refuel and reduced logistics;
                    (F) ship upgrades and retrofitting;
                    (G) reduced manning;
                    (H) global range at flank speed, greater forward 
                presence, and extended combat operations;
                    (I) power for advanced sensors and weapons, 
                including electromagnetic guns and lasers;
                    (J) survivability due to increased performance and 
                reduced signatures;
                    (K) high power density propulsion;
                    (L) operational tempo;
                    (M) operational effectiveness; and
                    (N) estimated cost-effectiveness; and
            (3) conduct a ROM cost-effectiveness comparison of nuclear 
        reactors in use by the Navy as of the date of the enactment of 
        this Act, thorium-liquid fueled reactors, and conventional 
        fueled major surface combatants, which shall include a 
        comparison of--
                    (A) security, safety, and infrastructure costs of 
                fuel supplies;
                    (B) nuclear proliferation issues;
                    (C) reactor safety;
                    (D) nuclear fuel safety, waste handling, and 
                storage;
                    (E) power requirements and distribution for 
                sensors, weapons, and propulsion; and
                    (F) capabilities to fully execute the Navy Maritime 
                Strategic Concept.
    (c) Report.--Not later than February 1, 2011, the Secretary of 
Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff shall jointly 
submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the results 
of the study required under subsection (a).
                                 <all>