Missouri Seeks to Become Global Producer of Small Nuclear Reactors

[FBaggins]

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.

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If successful in its federal funding pursuit, the new reactors would be constructed at the site of Ameren's Callaway Nuclear Generating plant in CallawayCounty, bringing new jobs to Mid-Missouri.

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"This investment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that could spark a next-generation manufacturing industry in Missouri," said Gov. Jay Nixon.

http://ozarksfirst.com/fulltext?nxd_id=634612

Bravo!