Not later than February 15, 1996, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to Congress a report on the costs, programmatic issues, and other issues associated with sustaining the capability of the Department of Energy—
(1) to conduct an underground nuclear test 6 months after the date on which the President determines that such a test is necessary to ensure the national security of the United States;
(2) to conduct such a test 18 months after such date; and
(3) to conduct such a test 36 months after such date.
(b) Biennial update report
(1) Not later than February 15 of each March 1, 2009, and every odd-numbered year, year thereafter, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report containing an update on the nuclear test readiness of the report required under subsection (a), as updated by any report previously submitted under this paragraph. United States.
(2) Each report under paragraph (1) subsection (a) shall include, current as of the date of such report, the following:
(1) An estimate of the period of time that would be necessary for the Secretary of Energy to conduct an underground test of a nuclear weapon once directed by the President to conduct such a test.
(2) A description of the level of test readiness that the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, determines to be appropriate.
(A) (3) A list and description of the workforce skills and capabilities that are essential to carry carrying out an underground nuclear tests test at the Nevada Test Site.
(B) (4) A list and description of the infrastructure and physical plant that are essential to carry carrying out an underground nuclear tests test at the Nevada Test Site.
(C) A description (5) An assessment of the readiness status of the skills and capabilities described in subparagraph (A) paragraph (3) and of the infrastructure and physical plant described in subparagraph (B). paragraph (4).
(3) Each report under paragraph (1) subsection (a) shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a classified annex.
