In October 2024, the US Department of Energy (DOE) - under the Joe Biden administration - opened applications for funding to support the initial domestic deployment of Generation III+ small modular reactor (SMR) technologies, with up to USD800 million to go to two "first-mover" teams, with an additional USD100 million to address so-called gaps that have hindered plant deployments. According to the solicitation documentation, a Gen III+ SMR is defined as a nuclear fission reactor that uses light water as a coolant and low-enriched uranium fuel, with a single-unit net electrical power output of 50-350 MWe, that maximises factory fabrication approaches, and the same or improved safety, security, and environmental benefits compared with current large nuclear power plant designs.
The solicitation was re-issued by the DOE in March 2025 to better align with President Donald Trump's agenda on unleashing American energy and AI dominance.
In December last year, the DOE selected Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Holtec Government Services to each receive USD400 million in federal cost-shared funding to support early deployments of advanced light-water small modular reactors in the USA. TVA's application was selected for funding to accelerate the deployment of a GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 at its Clinch River site in East Tennessee. Holtec plans to deploy two SMR-300 reactors - named Pioneer 1 and 2 - at the Palisades Nuclear Generating Station site in Michigan.
The DOE has now chosen eight further companies to receive funding from the Generation III+ Small Modular Reactor Pathway to Deployment Program.
"Projects will bolster the supply chain needed to deliver new nuclear generation in the 2030s, strengthen the development of Gen III+ SMR orderbooks, and advance President Trump's Executive Orders to usher in a nuclear renaissance and expand America's Energy Dominance agenda," the department said.
Roughly half of the funding has been allocated to projects related to SMR site selection and preparation. Constellation SMR Development LLC will receive USD17.3 million to pursue a US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Early Site Permit (ESP) for a location in New York to support the future deployment of Gen III+ SMRs, while Nebraska Public Power District will receive USD27.9 million to obtain an NRC approved ESP for a location in Nebraska to support the future deployment of Gen III+ SMRs.
In order to develop the US SMR supply chain, BWXT Nuclear Energy Inc has been allocated USD21.4 million to procure equipment for an existing facility in Mount Vernon, Indiana, that is required for final assembly of reactor pressure vessels and the manufacture of other large nuclear reactor components.
Container Technologies Industries LLC will receive USD547,900 to expand the company's nuclear quality assurance certifications for their facility in Helenwood, Tennessee, to enable it to produce steel for Gen III+ SMR deployments.
Meanwhile, Framatome US Government Solutions LLC has been awarded USD8.8 million to expand a fuel fabrication facility in Richland, Washington, by increasing the number of ceramic pellet production lines, adding about 200 tonnes of uranium of annual capacity.
Global Nuclear Fuel Americas LLC will receive USD3 million to establish a second production line for fuel rod fabrication for boiling water reactors, acquire capital equipment to automate the pellet inspection process, and implement automated storage and handling for pellets, for its facility in Wilmington, North Carolina.
American Forgemasters Company has been awarded USD2.9 million to procure a new furnace for its facility in New Castle, Pennsylvania, to facilitate the domestic production of large component forgings for Gen III+ SMRs, while Scot Forge Company will receive USD12.3 million to procure and install a large vertical turning lathe and gantry style milling machine for a facility in Spring Grove, Illinois, to facilitate the domestic production and manufacturing of large components for Gen III+ SMRs.
"President Trump has made clear that America is going to build more energy, not less, and nuclear is central to that mission," said US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. "Advanced light-water SMRs will give our nation the reliable, round-the-clock power we need to fuel the President's manufacturing boom, support data centres and AI growth, and reinforce a stronger, more secure electric grid. These awards ensure we can deploy these reactors as soon as possible."
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