LIMITS ON GENERAL PLANT PROJECTS.

SEC. 3122. LIMITS ON GENERAL PLANT PROJECTS. (a) In General.— The Secretary of Energy may carry out any construction project under the general plant projects authorized by this title if the total estimated cost of the construction project does not exceed $2,000,000. (b) Report to Congress.— If, at any time during the construction of any general plant project authorized by this title, the estimated cost of the project is revised because of unforeseen cost variations and the revised cost of the project exceeds $2,000,000, the Secretary shall immediately furnish a complete report to the congressional defense committees explaining the reasons for the cost variation. (c) Report on Permanent Authorization of Appropriations for General Plant Projects.— (1) Not later than February 1, 1997, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the congressional defense committees a report on the desirability of a permanent authorization of appropriations for the defense general plant projects and civilian general plant projects of the Department of Energy. (2) If the Secretary determines for purposes of the report under paragraph (1) that a permanent authorization of appropriations is desirable, the report snail include— (A) recommendations for legislation to provide for a permanent authorization of appropriations, including a formula for adjusting for inflation the amount authorized to he appropriated for the projects to be covered by such authorization of appropriations; and (B) a description of the actions to be undertaken by the Secretary to control costs with respect to such projects, including any actions that may depend on the size, nature, or scope of the project concerned.