UPDATED: US Energy Secretary Tours Plant Vogtle, Makes Policy Change Announcement
22.05.12
The $10 million in new research funds announced by the Secretary will support research that is intended to solve common challenges across the nuclear industry and improve reactor safety, performance and cost competitiveness. The funding will be awarded through two programs: Advanced Methods for Manufacturing (up to $3 million over three years) will fund projects working to improve the production and design efficiency of nuclear plant components. Small modular, gas-cooled, high-temperature and traditional light water reactors will be considered under this category. Reactor Materials (up to $7 million over three years) will fund research in advanced materials for reactor vessels, piping, cladding or other related structures in nuclear reactors as well as in the nuclear fuel cycle.
Secretary Chu also spoke about the Administration’s commitment to developing an effective strategy for the safe and secure storage and management of used nuclear fuel. Last month, the Blue Ribbon Commission for America’s Nuclear Future presented Secretary Chu with its final recommendations. Today, the Secretary announced that he has established an internal working group directed with assessing those recommendations and developing an Administration strategy that builds on the Commission’s work. Wednesday announcements are the latest in a long list of steps the Obama Administration has taken to help jumpstart America’s nuclear energy industry:
Source: WJBF-TV