Today the Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) released a new report, “Advanced Nuclear Reactors for State Policymakers, A Brief.” This brief serves as an introduction to advanced nuclear energy projects and policies for state-level policymakers and stakeholders. The Brief describes advanced reactor technology and its benefits, providing an overview of enabling federal policies, and reviewing state options to incentivize local development of advanced reactors. The report also contains case studies of emerging, state-specific advanced nuclear projects like:
- The Natrium project in Wyoming;
- Energy Northwest’s plans in Washington state;
- Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems’ consortium for the first light water small modular reactor; and
- The Nuclear Alternative Project in Puerto Rico.
The Brief also includes a compendium of topical briefs that elaborate on the characteristics of advanced reactors with respect to safety, economic benefits, waste remediation, the flexibility and dispatchability of advanced nuclear power, and its timing and development.
NIA Executive Director Judi Greenwald provided the following statement on the relevance of this new NIA resource to inform ongoing efforts that enable advanced nuclear energy innovation and deployment in the United States:
“Advanced reactors are quickly moving towards the demonstration phase of the development process and companies are exploring where they should site their first projects. States that lead on this issue with innovative policy and project interest will reap the social and economic benefits of advanced nuclear energy, securing high-paying jobs for their communities and addressing ambitious state-level climate goals. The Brief will help local and state policymakers understand why early leaders are embracing the next generation of nuclear energy and its benefits,and seeking to provide a roadmap for advanced nuclear energy innovation.”
To read the Brief, visit the NIA website here: Advanced Nuclear Reactors for State Policymakers, A Brief
The Nuclear Innovation Alliance (NIA) is a non-profit think-and-do-tank working to enable nuclear power as a global solution to mitigate climate change. Through policy analysis, research, and education, we are catalyzing the next era of nuclear energy. Our organization is funded primarily through charitable grants and philanthropic donations from climate-concerned individuals and organizations.