Missouri seeks to become global producer of small nuclear reactors
Missouri is putting its own plans for a second nuclear reactor on hold in an effort to be become the leader in new nuclear reactor technology.
On Thursday, state political and energy leaders gathered on the lawn of the Missouri Governor’s Mansion to announce a partnership between Ameren Missouri and Westinghouse Electric Company to seek competitive federal cost-share investment funds from the Department of Energy that would be used to manufacture Small Modular Nuclear Reactors in Missouri.
If approved by the DOE, the plan is for Missouri to become the home base for the construction and distribution of smaller nuclear reactors throughout the world.
Based on Westinghouse’s AP 1000 model large reactors, these new reactors would have about 1/5 the energy output and would be designed to replace aging coal-burning electric plants. Westinghouse officials say these smaller reactors can be produced in less than half the time of larger, traditional reactors and are designed for easy rail transportation.
“Our experience, capabilities and licensing expertise, coupled with Ameren’s working utility knowledge and Missouri’s highly skilled workforce, strong foothold in the nuclear industry and central location create a competitive advantage to rapidly deploy SMR units here in the United States and elsewhere in the world,” said Kate Jackson, Westinghouse Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.
No state legislative action or statutory change is needed to move forward with the DOE application. The DOE is expected to announce the recipients of the cost-share funds sometime this summer.
If successful in its federal funding pursuit, the new reactors would be constructed at the site of Ameren’s Callaway Nuclear Generating plant in Callaway County, bringing new jobs to Mid-Missouri.
For years, Ameren Missouri has sought an early site permit to build a second large reactor at the Callaway plant. But those plans have been put on hold as Westinghouse and Ameren seek approval to build the SMR reactors.
“This investment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that could spark a next-generation manufacturing industry in Missouri,” said Gov. Jay Nixon.
Although state lawmakers from both parties and leaders from the University of Missouri joined Nixon in the announcement, not everyone is onboard with the new plan.
Ed Smith, of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, which has been an ardent critic of plans to expand nuclear energy in Missouri, came out against the proposal. Smith said investments in renewable energy sources like wind and solar could bring thousands of new jobs to Missouri and provide a quarter of the state’s electrical needs without the risks associated with nuclear technology.
“It’s maddening our state’s elected officials are pursuing risky nuclear power technology when there is no plan for the safe storage of the toxic radioactive waste piling up at the Callaway one nuclear reactor,” Smith said.
-Tim Sampson
