Energy Department FY 2018 budget lacks sufficient funding for nuclear, NEI says

According to Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) President and CEO Maria Korsnick, the Trump Administration’s fiscal year 2018 budget does not provide adequate support for existing reactors and advanced nuclear technologies, but NEI applauded the administration’s support for disposing of nuclear waste.

“The administration has rightly recognized nuclear energy as a cornerstone of U.S. national security. Unfortunately, the proposed budget does not support the actions necessary for the U.S. nuclear energy industry to thrive,” Korsnick said.

The spending plan requests $28 billion for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to invest in technological innovation related to nuclear energy, basic scientific research and environmental cleanup.

“NEI, however, is discouraged by the budget’s lack of support for programs that help sustain America’s 99 commercial reactors,” Korsnick said. “Crucial programs at the U.S. Department of Energy include the Light Water Reactor Sustainability and Accident Tolerant Fuels programs, along with the Consortium for the Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors.”

The budget also includes funding for disposing used nuclear fuel.

“We commend the administration for its support for resuming Yucca Mountain licensing, establishing centralized interim storage, and planning for used nuclear fuel transportation,” Korsnick said. “The Nuclear Waste Fund continues to grow by $1.5 billion a year in interest earnings, a sum that is more than adequate to restart the program without reinstating the Nuclear Waste Fee on American consumers.”