The federal government has chosen Missouri and six other states to explore and expand nuclear energy programs – all to meet a fast-growing demand for power.
Why? Artificial Intelligence and data centers are draining the nation’s power supply.
State Department of Natural Resources Director Kurt Schaefer told Missourinet the federal move is the beginning of a discussion to find ways to reinvigorate nuclear energy in the United States.
“In 2021, up until now, the growth demand just skyrockets,” said Schaefer. “And so when you’re looking at this period of growth that we’re in right now, which doesn’t appear to have any end in sight to satisfy that type of energy demand, we’re going to have to look at additional options.”
Schaefer said his department is a key player in the program. The University of Missouri has two nuclear reactors and Ameren has a nuclear power plant in mid Missouri. The Callaway Energy Center generates 14% of in-state electricity.
“It’s still easy to understand that we need more energy producing options, and particularly with the concern about carbon emissions, when you look at nuclear, which is a dispatchable power without a carbon emission, that’s certainly the direction that it appears things are going,” he said.
Schaefer believes Missouri’s application for the program stood out because of its plans to collaborate with key investor-owned, private utility companies, the University of Missouri System, the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, the Missouri Public Utility Alliance, and City Utilities of Springfield.
The National Governor’s Association and the U.S. Department of Energy will provide Missouri with technical assistance and help the state to develop nuclear energy policy and financing options.
“The financing aspect of nuclear is really one of the most difficult things about getting it deployed,” said Schaefer.
The feds will also hold a summit in Missouri to help turn the state’s conceptual plans into action.
By Ashley Byrd and Alisa Nelson
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