DOE offers new nuclear grant proposal

July 1 deadline set for SMR application

The U.S. Department of Energy this week announced a new federal grant to develop small modular nuclear reactors.

The federal agency announced it has decided to make available up to one-half of the $452 million authorized last year by Congress in one new grant worth up to $226 million.

Like the initial grant, the new proposal requires 50-50 industry cost sharing with the federal government for SMR development.

Last year the federal agency awarded the first grant with an unspecified amount to develop small modular nuclear reactors to a project in Tennessee led by Babcock & Wilcox Corporation in partnership with the federal-government-owned Tennessee Valley Authority and the Bechtel Corporation.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.