Nuclear

“We have identified which system structures and components could be impacted by climate change. We’ve gone a step further to assess them against the design margins to understand what we need to focus on and plan for in the next 30 or more years. The product is a first-of-a-kind assessment that could be used for any nuclear power plant.”

“A key part of this act is to maintain and promote leadership of the United States and U.S. companies across the world as nuclear energy continues to develop.”

“We’re focused on developing new systems. We see ourselves as a manufacturing corporation and that distinguishes us, as BWXT manufactures two to three nuclear reactors a year for the U.S. Navy. We also manufacture nuclear fuel and heavy components for the Canadian nuclear sector.”

“The U.S. Department of State’s Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of SMR Technology – or FIRST – program, supports the development of nuclear energy innovation with partner nations.”

“Ontario is the major nuclear province; two huge generating stations at Bruce Power and Darlington. Both undergoing refurbishments. It’s a 26-billion-dollar project, the largest infrastructure project in Canada now. We are proudly telling the world these projects, halfway through, are on time and on budget.”

“Both recent pieces of federal legislation increase the appeal to states of new clean energy technologies such as advanced nuclear. Take a deeper dive into how states are planning for advanced nuclear by reviewing the newly released NARUC and NASEO Advanced Nuclear State Action Tracker.”

“We see opportunities, especially with the Inflation Reduction Act. There’s a lot of benefit to coal plant repurposing from a cost-per-megawatt-hour savings with the tax credit. You gain more tax credit benefit from hydrogen production.”

“We recognize the NRC can license new and advanced designs using existing regulations, but applicants need exemptions to do so. Nobody wants to use the exemption process indefinitely to regulate. At some point, regulations need to be aligned.”

“As difficult as it might seem to build a nuclear power plant, building multi-state transmission has proven more difficult. The Princeton study shows need for 3 or 4 times as much new transmission capacity added if you do the whole job with just renewables versus firm clean generation from things like nuclear.”

“The most important element that aligns for a hopeful future for nuclear is a recognition of noncarbon-generation benefits it provides that we don’t receive from other forms of generation. Half of the power in the U.S. that is carbon-free is produced by nuclear power.”