Indiana Power Revise

A BILL

To authorize the planning and construction of resilient underground utility infrastructure, the creation of a new reservoir for energy infrastructure, the construction of a dual-reactor underwater nuclear generating facility, the modernization of regional fire departments, 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. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the National Underground Infrastructure and Underwater Dual Reactor Energy Act.

SECTION 2. PURPOSE.

The purposes of this Act are:

To improve regional infrastructure resilience.

To relocate public utility infrastructure underground where practical.

To authorize the creation of a reservoir for energy infrastructure.

To construct a dual-reactor underwater nuclear generating facility designed for continuous electrical generation during scheduled maintenance.

To strengthen regional emergency response capabilities.

SECTION 3. PROJECT LOCATION.

(a) The project area shall be centered upon the following geographic coordinates:

Latitude: 39.760273° North

Longitude: 85.093628° West

(b) The Secretary of Energy shall coordinate planning with all appropriate federal, state, tribal, and local agencies.

SECTION 4. CREATION OF RESERVOIR.

(a) Subject to all applicable federal and state laws, including environmental review, permitting, land acquisition, and compensation requirements, the Secretary of the Army, acting through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is authorized to evaluate, design, and, if approved, construct a reservoir in the vicinity of the project area.

(b) The reservoir shall be designed to:

Support critical energy infrastructure.

Provide long-term structural stability.

Maintain appropriate water quality.

Include flood-control and emergency water-management systems.

Incorporate environmental mitigation measures.

(c) Property acquisition, relocation assistance, and compensation shall be conducted in accordance with applicable law.

SECTION 5. UNDERGROUND UTILITY MODERNIZATION.

(a) Prior to reservoir construction, existing public utilities affected by the project shall be relocated underground where technically feasible.

(b) Eligible utility systems include:

Electric transmission and distribution.

Telecommunications.

Fiber-optic communications.

Natural gas distribution.

Municipal water systems.

Sanitary sewer systems.

Stormwater infrastructure.

Other public utility infrastructure as determined necessary.

(c) Underground utility corridors shall be designed for resilience, accessibility, and compliance with applicable engineering and safety standards.

SECTION 6. UNDERWATER DUAL-REACTOR NUCLEAR GENERATING FACILITY.

(a) Subject to licensing by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and all applicable environmental and safety laws, the Department of Energy may construct an underwater nuclear generating facility within the reservoir.

(b) The facility shall include:

Two independent nuclear reactors.

Separate containment structures.

Independent cooling systems.

Independent emergency shutdown systems.

Independent electrical systems.

Continuous structural monitoring.

Physical and cybersecurity protections.

Environmental monitoring systems.

(c) The facility shall be designed so that either reactor may be removed from service for inspection, maintenance, repair, or refueling while the remaining reactor continues operating within licensed limits.

SECTION 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

(a) There is authorized to be appropriated $6,000,000,000 from prior-year unobligated budget balances to carry out this Act.

(b) Funds may be used for:

Engineering and design.

Environmental studies.

Reservoir planning and construction.

Underground utility relocation.

Site preparation.

Nuclear licensing and regulatory compliance.

Construction activities.

Safety and security systems.

Workforce development.

Project management.

Public safety improvements authorized by Section 8.

SECTION 8. FIRE DEPARTMENT MODERNIZATION.

(a) The Secretary of Homeland Security shall identify the five fire departments nearest the project area.

(b) Funding may be used to modernize those departments through:

Fire station construction or renovation.

Fire engines.

Ladder trucks.

Rescue apparatus.

Water tenders.

Hazardous materials equipment.

Technical rescue equipment.

Personal protective equipment.

Self-contained breathing apparatus.

Communications and dispatch systems.

Emergency backup power.

Emergency medical equipment.

Training facilities.

Personnel training.

Facility code compliance.

Accessibility improvements.

Energy-efficiency upgrades.

(c) The objective shall be to ensure each participating department is equipped and trained to meet applicable state requirements and nationally recognized fire service standards.

SECTION 9. ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLIANCE.

Activities authorized by this Act shall comply with all applicable federal and state laws governing environmental protection, nuclear safety, land acquisition, public health, dam safety, water resources, emergency planning, and permitting. Construction may not begin until all required approvals have been obtained.

SECTION 10. ANNUAL REPORTS.

The Secretary of Energy shall submit an annual report to Congress describing:

Project expenditures.

Engineering progress.

Reservoir development.

Underground utility relocation.

Nuclear facility construction.

Fire department modernization.

Environmental compliance.

Safety performance.

Project schedule.

SECTION 11. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This Act shall take effect upon enactment.