Provisions of H.R. 4908 - New University Radiation Science & Technology Program

The House has passed H.R. 4908, the Hydrogen, Fusion, and High Energy and Nuclear Physics Research Act of 1994. Included in this bill is Title IV -- Miscellaneous Provisions, which deals exclusively with “University Radiation Science and Technology.” This bill only authorizes DOE activity in this area; funding is provided separately in appropriations legislation.

In a section entitled Findings, the bill states, “nuclear engineering academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels have declined in terms of the number of students enrolling in such programs, the number of schools offering such programs, and the number of research reactors available on university campuses.” The section continues, “in the 1950s and 1960s, the Federal Government was instrumental in founding and funding the University Research Reactor program and the Nuclear Engineering Education and Research Program, and as a primary user of the graduates of these programs, continued strong support for these program for decades.” However, the bill continues, “the decline of Federal support for these programs has forced many universities to close down research reactors and seriously erode the accompanying academic programs.”

In order to alleviate these conditions, a new national program is authorized in a section entitled Program Direction. It states, “The Secretary shall combine the Nuclear Engineering Research and Education Program, the University Research Reactor program, and the University Reactor Fuel Assistance program to form a new University Radiation Science and Technology program to be included as a separate and distinct part of the University and Science Education program.” To accomplish this, the Secretary is instructed to “collaborate with the university radiation science and technology community (including academia, professional societies, and the national laboratories.)” Planning documents and reports are required.

The bill authorizes $25 million per year for fiscal years 1995, 1996, and 1997. Currently two of the programs are unfunded; the third received $3.7 million in FY 1994. Again, note that this bill only authorizes, or permits, funding of this program. Actual funding is contained in the DOE appropriations bill.