The U.S. Department of Energy filed a Notice of Intent and Request for Information earlier this week on the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s $6 billion Civil Nuclear Credit Program.
In an article released on Feb. 11, the Department of Energy announced the filing of an NOI and RFI, which are expected to be crucial first steps in avoiding premature retirements of nuclear reactors across the country, while also preserving thousands of good-paying clean energy jobs that actively avoid additional carbon emissions.
“U.S. nuclear power plants are essential to achieving President Biden’s climate goals and DOE is committed to keeping 100% clean electricity flowing and preventing premature closures,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm, according to the article.
The new nuclear credit program is part of the Biden administration's clean energy goals, which aim to ensure that all communities across the country are able to continue seeing the benefits of sustainable energy infrastructure. The newly enacted Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created the Civil Nuclear Credit Program (CNC), which will allow owners or operators of commercial U.S. reactors to apply for certification and competitively bid on credits that can be used to help support their continued operations, according to the article.
“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes this all possible by allowing us to leverage our existing clean energy infrastructure, strengthen our energy security and protect U.S. jobs," Granholm continued. "DOE is facilitating the development of next-generation technologies that can ultimately lower emissions and bolster the clean energy workforce.”
Current numbers in the United States show that nuclear power is responsible for providing 52% of the country's 100% clean electricity, according to the article. Yet over the course of the last decade, changes in the energy market and other economic factors have resulted in the premature closure of 12 commercial reactors across the country. The Biden-Harris administration has already identified the current fleet of 93 reactors as a vital resource to achieve net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050.
