((a)) ** Consultative requirements; purpose** The Secretary, in consultation with the Commission and the Advisory Committee, shall initiate a study of the need for and feasibility of establishing a reactor engineering simulator facility at a national laboratory, for the primary purpose of fostering research in generic design improvements and simplifications through the simulation of the performance of various types of light water reactors under a wide variety of abnormal conditions and postulated accident conditions.
((b)) ** Applicability of relevant factors** In performing the study, the Secretary shall consider relevant factors including, but not limited to—
((1)) the potential advantages that would accrue from the establishment of such a facility;
((2)) the extent to which such a facility would further the generic safety research and development program established by this chapter;
((3)) the extent to which such a facility can be established by nongovernmental entities;
((4)) the opportunities for cost sharing by nongovernmental entities in the construction and operation of such a facility;
((5)) the importance of such a facility in emergencies to limit the extent of any future nuclear powerplant excursions;
((6)) the potential for international cooperation in the establishment and operation of such a facility; and
((7)) the appropriate national laboratory for siting such a facility.
((c)) ** Report to Congressional committees** The Secretary shall, by , submit to the Committee on Science and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report characterizing the study and the resulting conclusions and recommendations.January 1, 19821982-01-01