Section 7386b · Minor construction projects

Using operation and maintenance funds or facilities and infrastructure funds authorized by a DOE national security authorization, the Secretary of Energy may carry out minor construction projects.

The Secretary shall submit to the congressional defense committees on an annual basis a report on each exercise of the authority in subsection (a) of this section during the preceding fiscal year. Each report shall provide a brief description of each minor construction project covered by the report.

If, at any time during the construction of any minor construction project authorized by a DOE national security authorization, the estimated cost of the project is revised and the revised cost of the project exceeds the minor construction threshold, the Secretary shall immediately submit to the congressional defense committees a report explaining the reasons for the cost variation.

In this section, the term “minor construction project” means any plant project not specifically authorized by law for which the approved total estimated cost does not exceed the minor construction threshold.