nuclear-news

USA taxpayers to pay up for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

“The Obama Administration continues to believe that low-carbon nuclear energy has an important role to play in America’s energy future,” DOE Secretary Steven Chu stated

Small nuclear reactors eyed for Oak Ridge site, Oakridger.com By Donna Smith/Staff Nov. 25, 2012 The former Clinch River Breeder Reactor site in Oak Ridge may become the home for four small modular nuclear reactors that could be operational by 2022. 
The former Clinch River Breeder Reactor site in Oak Ridge may become
the home for four small modular nuclear reactors that could be
operational by 2022.
The Department of Energy announced this week an award to “support a new project to design, license and help commercialize small nuclear reactors in the United States.” The award was given to Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) in partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority and Bechtel.
“TVA is preparing an application to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
to license up to four B&W mPower SMRs (small modular reactors) at its
Clinch River Site,” Charlotte, N.C.-based B&W announced in another
news release. The site, formerly called the Clinch River Breeder
Reactor Site, is off Highway 58 near the Horizon Center, formerly
called the K-25 Site, and is adjacent to the Clinch River.
“The Obama Administration continues to believe that low-carbon nuclear energy has an important role to play in America’s energy future,” DOE
Secretary Steven Chu stated. “Restarting the nation’s nuclear industry
and advancing small modular reactor technologies will help create new
jobs and export opportunities for American workers and businesses, and
ensure we continue to take an all-of-the-above approach to American
energy production.”
It’s five-year cost-share agreement and DOE will invest up to half of
the total project cost, with the partners matching this investment by
at least one-to-one. The specific total of the award will be
negotiated between DOE and B&W, according to the release……
The project will support additional suppliers and operations in
Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia….
The DOE investment is expected to help B&W obtain Nuclear Regulatory
Commission licensing and achieve commercial operations by 2022. TVA is
preparing the application.
http://www.oakridger.com/article/20121125/NEWS/121129938

November 26, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics, technology, USA