The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its Fiscal Year 2024 budget request, which includes more than $1.56 billion for the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE).
NE is requesting more than $660 million for nuclear energy research and development activities that enables the current reactor fleet to keep operating, advances the commercial deployment of advanced reactors, addresses major gaps in the nation’s nuclear fuel cycle, and strengthens international partnerships with like-minded nations worldwide as they work to secure a trusted source of carbon-free power to meet their future energy goals.
Here are five key takeaways from the Department’s latest budget request for nuclear energy.
1. Access to HALEU
Advanced centrifuge cascade in Piketon, OH.Centrus Energy Corp.NE is requesting $120 million for the Advanced Nuclear Fuel Availability subprogram and $28 million within the Material Recovery and Waste Form Development subprogram to secure a domestic supply of high-assay low-enriched uranium—a crucial material needed to develop and deploy advanced reactors.Near-term efforts will focus on a variety of actions, including downblending DOE-owned legacy fuel and conducting enrichment operations in Piketon, OH to fuel advanced reactor demonstration projects and support fuel qualification testing.The funding also complements $700 million provided through the Inflation Reduction Act to support a long-term, sustainable, diverse, and market-driven commercial HALEU supply.
2. Commercial SMR Demonstration
VOYGR NuScale Power Plant renderingNuScale PowerNE is requesting $10 million to support the commercial demonstration of NuScale Power’s small modular reactor technology at a proposed location on the Idaho National Laboratory site. The company’s 50 megawatt-electric power module recently became the first SMR design certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. NuScale Power expects to have their first power module operational by 2029 through the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems’ Carbon Free Power Project.
3. Advanced Reactor Testing Capabilities
Former EBR-II facility at Idaho National Laboratory.Idaho National LaboratoryNE is requesting $54 million for new testing capabilities at its national laboratories to support research on advanced reactors. The funding will help establish several facilities, including DOME, LOTUS, and MARVEL testing platforms, to help demonstrate microreactor technologies and the world’s first molten chloride fast reactor that is being supported through DOE’s Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program.
4. Securing the INL Lab Complex
Materials and Fuels Complex at Idaho National Laboratory.Idaho National LaboratoryThe FY 2024 Budget provides $178 million for safeguards and security measures at INL. The funding will help maintain physical security systems and staffing levels at the lab complex and further enhance INL's cybersecurity program. It will also be used to initiate new capital projects to meet increased operations and security needs from growing NE programs focused on fuel and reactor technologies.
5. Strengthening International Partnerships
Westinghouse AP1000 reactor.Georgia PowerFinally, NE is requesting $13 million to strengthen international partnerships around nuclear energy to help promote global decarbonization efforts. The funding will support U.S. nuclear exports and U.S. leadership in nuclear energy, primarily focusing on Central European, Eastern European, and African countries interested in boosting their regional energy security and clean energy production.
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