Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Media Contact: Paul Bledsoe
BPC Nuclear Initiative Leads Expert Discussion on Deployment of Small Modular Reactors
SMRs an “Exciting Frontier for Nuclear Technology” with Bipartisan Support in Congress note Domenici and Lyons
Washington, D.C.
- The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Nuclear Initiative, chaired by former
Senator Pete Domenici and former Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy
Warren F. “Pete” Miller, held an event last Friday with leading experts
focused on preparing for the deployment of small modular reactors (SMR).
Participants
discussed the SMR portfolio at the Department of Energy (DOE),
including progress toward a government and industry cost-sharing program
that continues to receive bipartisan congressional support. In
addition, the event examined issues associated with deployment of SMRs,
including high up-front capital costs, significant technology and
regulatory uncertainty, and the need for an appropriate federal role.
Participants also highlighted the importance of U.S. involvement in
nuclear technologies to effectively engage in international
nonproliferation issues.
The
event featured Dr. Peter B. Lyons, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear
Energy at DOE; Mike Fowler, Director of Advanced Technology at the Clean
Air Task Force; Michael R. Johnson, Director of the Office of New
Reactors at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; William R. McCollum,
Chief Operating Officer of the Tennessee Valley Authority; and Victor H.
Reis, Ph.D., Senior Advisor to the Office of the Undersecretary for
Science at DOE.
Senator Domenici opened the event, underscoring the opportunities associated with SMRs.
“Small
modular reactors are an exciting frontier for nuclear technology and a
compelling example of U.S. ingenuity, scientific capability, and
manufacturing potential,” Domenici said.
Following
Senator Domenici’s remarks, Dr. Pete Lyons, Assistant Secretary for
Nuclear Energy at DOE provided a keynote address that demonstrated the
significant recent progress on SMRs. Under the leadership of both Dr.
Miller and Dr. Lyons, DOE Nuclear Energy has made SMR technologies a top
priority.
Dr.
Lyons discussed DOE efforts to support advanced SMR technology,
licensing, and eventual commercialization. The mission of the SMR
Licensing Technical Support program is to facilitate and accelerate
commercial development and deployment of near-term U.S. SMR designs at
domestic locations. The projected budget for the program is $452
million over five years for cost-sharing with industry to achieve design
certification for two SMR designs and to support early stages of
deployment. SMR technologies have considerable bipartisan support in
Congress.
The
SMR Licensing Technical Support program builds on the successful
Nuclear Power 2010 program, a government and industry cost-sharing
effort that supported design certification for two Generation III+
reactor technologies (the AP1000 and the ESBWR), as well as three early
site permits and two combined construction and operating licenses. Two
AP1000 reactors are currently under construction at Southern Company’s
Vogtle Plant, which recently received its combined operating license
from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
DOE
will soon release a Funding Opportunity Announcement with the goal of
awarding funds in 2012 to industry partnerships interested in
constructing and operating SMRs. The event also featured Clean Air Task
Force’s Mike Fowler, who provided an overview of several advanced
reactor technologies that may be candidates for relatively near-term
deployment. His presentation outlined the potential long-term value of
advanced nuclear technologies, addressed in a new white paper from the
Clean Air Task Force – The Nuclear Decarbonization Option: Profiles of Selected Advanced Reactor Technologies. Mr.
Fowler also highlighted some of the barriers to SMR deployment,
including high up-front capital costs and substantial technology and
regulatory uncertainties.
Dr. Miller moderated a diverse panel that engaged several questions from expert audience participants.
· Michael R. Johnson,
Director of the Office of New Reactors, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, addressed the ongoing NRC staff work and industry efforts
coordinated by the Nuclear Energy Institute to resolve generic licensing
issues. The conversation covered licensing challenges associated with
SMRs, including security and emergency planning issues and multi-module
facilities.
· William “Bill” R. McCollum,
Chief Operating Officer of the Tennessee Valley Authority provided an
operators perspective on the potential role for SMRs in a future diverse
electricity portfolio. TVA has partnered with technology vendor mPower
to explore deployment opportunities.
· Victor H. Reis, Ph.D.,
a Senior Advisor in the Office of the Undersecretary for Science of
DOE, provided an overview of the SMR subcommittee recently formed by the
Secretary of Energy Advisory Board. The Subcommittee will address the
strategic questions regarding how and why SMRs are strategically
important for the U.S.
· In
response to questions about U.S. technological leadership and
international competition, Dr. Miller stressed the national security
importance of U.S. involvement in nuclear technologies to ensure
effective influence in international nonproliferation efforts.
Additional information, video, and presentations from the event are available here.
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