HR 4678 United States House · 118th Congress

Provide Logistical Aid to airports via advanced Nuclear Energy Act

HR 4678, the PLANE Act, requires federal agencies to develop procedures for deploying small nuclear microreactors (under 20 megawatts) as backup power at airports during natural disasters, replacing current diesel generators. The bill mandates that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, FAA, FEMA, and Energy Secretary collaborate within 270 days to create deployment plans, considering factors like transportation, grid integration, and maintenance. This directly affects FAA-certified airports by requiring updates to emergency plans and airport operational regulations (14 CFR §139.325) to include microreactors as a backup power option. The law aims to address the 72-hour fuel limit of diesel generators by enabling reliable, clean energy during power disruptions, with agencies required to submit reports and update guidance within 120-180 days of finalizing procedures.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jul 2023

Committee Review

Floor Vote

President

Introduced Jul 17, 2023 Last action Jul 21, 2023

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No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

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Committee

Jul 21, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.

lower

Jul 18, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Aviation.

lower

Jul 18, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.

lower

Jul 17, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

lower

Jul 17, 2023

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 1 co-sponsor