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14 Mar 2013: U.S. Grants Will Promote
Small-Scale, Modular Nuclear Reactors

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) this week announced a new series of cost-sharing grants to promote the development of small-scale, factory-made nuclear reactors, an emerging energy source that Obama administration officials say could help replace the coal-fired plants expected to cease operations

Are Fast-Breeder Reactors
A Nuclear Power Panacea?

Proponents of fast-breeder reactors argue that they can eliminate large stockpiles of nuclear waste and generate huge amounts of low-carbon electricity. But skeptics warn that fast-breeders are neither safe nor cost-effective.
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in the coming decades. The administration, which has allocated $452 million for the program, hopes to spur the production and licensing of as many as 50 so-called modular reactors annually by 2040, said Rebecca Smith-Kevern, director of light water reactor technology at the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy. DOE officials say these modular reactors, which would be about one-third the size of typical nuclear power plants, also include scalable designs that will provide safety and economic benefits. “We have a vision of having a whole fleet of [modular reactors] produced in factories,” Smith-Kavern said at a conference. “We envision the U.S. government to be the first users.” Citing a 2011 paper, she said plants could cost $3 billion to $5 billion apiece. Last year, the Energy Department awarded an undisclosed amount of money to reactor designer Babcock & Wilcox to develop two underground nuclear modules in Tennessee.

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