On November 5th, Congress passed the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, which includes major investments in nuclear energy.
A dominant focus of the bill is on clean energy, as the U.S. seeks to scale up clean technologies, decarbonize the electrical grid, and meet our ambitious climate targets. The passage of this hallmark piece of legislation includes significant investments in nuclear power, signaling our nation’s commitment to our largest source of carbon-free energy.
Major support for nuclear in the bill includes:
- Continued funding for Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) projects, which are targeting deployments in the late 2020s;
- A demonstration program for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs, at least one of which is required to demonstrate the production of clean hydrogen from nuclear energy;
- An Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations within the Department of Energy (DOE), which will conduct project management and oversight of ARDP, as well as other climate technology projects, and ensure a balanced portfolio of investments in covered projects;
- Support for nuclear energy innovation through authorizing assistance for feasibility studies for siting advanced reactors;
- A credit program that would provide financial support to certain nuclear reactors that are at risk of closing due to insufficient valuation in electricity markets; and,
- Longer term protections for intellectual property related to nuclear technology used in demonstrations.
“We thank the House and Senate for their bipartisan leadership on the bill and look forward to carrying this momentum forward to ensure nuclear energy plays a pivotal role in our energy future,” said NEI’s President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Korsnick.
These investments are further examples of the momentum that continues to build around nuclear energy. As our world’s climate commitments take center stage at COP26 and our nation works to meet our own decarbonization targets at home, it’s clear nuclear is a key part of the energy mix to ensure a clean and just energy transition.
