§2.Study on new technologies to recycle spent nuclear fuel
This section directs the Secretary of Energy, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy, to conduct a study not later than 90 days after enactment on the practicability, benefits, costs, and risks of recycling spent nuclear fuel (i.e., used fuel from nuclear reactors, as defined in the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982) into usable fuels or materials. The study must (1) analyze dedicated recycling facilities, including for spent high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel, for use in commercial light water reactors, advanced reactors, and non-reactor applications (e.g., medical, space-based); (2) compare recycling from temporary storage sites to the once-through fuel cycle (including storage needs) and aqueous (e.g., PUREX) versus non-aqueous (e.g., pyro-electrochemistry) processes; (3) assess feasibility of extracting isotopes for medical, industrial, space-based, and battery uses; (4) evaluate collocating recycling with reactors, storage, or fabrication facilities, including costs, partnerships, and comparisons to once-through cycles; (5) identify parties (e.g., communities, Tribes) affected by current indefinite storage and potential recycling benefits/risks; (6) assess siting/sizing options (e.g., centralized, regional, on-site) and recommend approaches; (7) identify tracking methods for recycled fuel and byproducts; (8) identify regulatory gaps in waste definitions/classifications, compare to other nations, and recommend updates; and (9) evaluate policy changes to support recycling and impacts on storage needs. Not later than one year after enactment, the Secretary must submit to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Science, Space, and Technology, and Natural Resources a public report (not more than 120 pages, excluding front matter, references, and appendices) describing the study results.