The United States Department of Energy is seeking out applications and bid submissions for their $6 billion Civil Nuclear Credit Program.
The program is intended to support U.S. nuclear reactors.
"U.S. nuclear power plants contribute more than half of our carbon-free electricity, and President (Joe) Biden is committed to keeping these plants active to reach our clean energy goals," Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in an April 19 release from the department.
Granholm also took the opportunity to discuss America's future energy and climate goals.
"We’re using every tool available to get this country powered by clean energy by 2035, and that includes prioritizing our existing nuclear fleet to allow for continued emissions-free electricity generation and economic stability for the communities leading this important work," Granholm said.
Other elected officials also praised the program.
"I am pleased to see that the Department of Energy has worked with incredible speed and determination to deploy the Civil Nuclear Credit Program, authorized and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law," Sen. Joe Manchin said in the release.
Manchin is the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
"This will allow at-risk reactors to begin submitting bids over the next 30 days," Manchin said. "Quick, decisive action is what we needed from the department, and that is what they have delivered by standing up the Civil Nuclear Credit Program. This program will keep our reactors operating, preserving American jobs, reducing emissions and bolstering our energy security. We have taken the reliability and resiliency of our nuclear fleet for granted, and it is about time we acted to preserve these vital assets."
