[UPDATED] Congressional legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives approved of funds for a Versatile Neutron Source, allotting almost $2 billion for a new facility expected to be operational by 2025.

The primary function of the research reactor would be to study advanced nuclear fuel options and reactor performance, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute. The bill, which has to meet with approval in the Senate before heading to the White House for a signature, was introduced by Rep. Randy Weber, R-Texas.

Weber called the Versatile Neutron Source reactor “critical for the development of advanced reactor designs, materials and nuclear fuels.”



“This type of research requires access to fast neutrons, which are currently only available for civilian research in Russia,” The NEI quoted the congressman as saying.

Along with the research reactor, the House also passed the Low Dose Radiation Research Act that was first introduced in 2017 by Rep. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas. The bill directs the Department of Energy to oversee studies on the effects of low levels of radiation exposure.