White House kicks up nuclear review
The White House is kicking into high gear a study
Trump requested in June about the state of America's nuclear industry by hiring a new staffer to take a lead on it, Axios has learned.
Aaron Weston, whose
LinkedIn profile
says he has worked at the conservative think tank American Council on
Capital Formation and for the House science committee, is in the process
of getting a White House gig to work on the study, an administration
official said.
Why it matters: Top Trump
officials have spoken positively about nuclear power and the importance
of ensuring it remains a viable and growing sector in the U.S., despite
the economic headwinds hurting it. But to date the administration hasn't
taken any specific steps to do so. This report is the first broad
attempt at that.
Details: The review is expected
to focus on the challenges facing the existing fleet of reactors,
research and development policies, export markets, and fuel cycle
issues. This will include looking at the controversial Yucca Mountain
proposed repository site, according to the administration official.
Reality check: Trump's budget
proposed to cut
the Energy Department's nuclear office that pursues R&D. Meanwhile,
it remains unclear whether the department will help Southern Company
with its two reactors under construction (the first in the U.S. in 30
years) by upping the already unprecedented $8.3 billion loan guarantee.
https://www.axios.com/generate-2480069194.html