DOE report finds hundreds of retiring coal plant sites could convert to nuclear DOE-NE | 9/13/2022
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The nation's coal power plant sites that helped build the U.S. economy during the country’s electrification could play a huge role once again in helping the nation transition to clean energy. A new U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) study finds that hundreds of coal power plant sites across the country could be converted to nuclear power plant sites. This would dramatically increase the supply of firm and dispatchable clean electricity to the grid and deliver huge gains to the nation’s goal of net-zero emissions by
2050. According to the report, this coal-to-nuclear (C2N) transition could help increase
nuclear capacity in the U.S. to more than 350 gigawatts (GW). The existing fleet currently has a combined capacity of 95 GW and supplies half of the nation’s
emissions-free electricity. The transition would also bring tangible benefits back to energy
communities with additional jobs, new economic activities, and improved environmental conditions. These benefits are especially important for disadvantaged communities that were disproportionately impacted by fossil fuel pollution.
A LOOK AT THE STUDY
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The
Investigating Benefits and Challenges of Converting Retiring Coal Plants into Nuclear Plants report analyzed a hypothetical but representative coal power plant site and the surrounding region to investigate the detailed impacts and potential outcomes of a C2N transition. After screening recently retired and active coal plant sites, the study team, comprised of multiple DOE national labs, identified 157 retired coal plant sites and 237 operating coal plants sites as potential candidates for a C2N transition.
The team further evaluated the potential coal power plant sites based on a set of ten parameters, including population density, distance from seismic fault lines, flooding potential, and nearby wetlands, to determine if they could safely host a nuclear power plant. The team found that 80% of the potential sites, with over 250 GW of generating capacity, are suitable for hosting advanced nuclear power plants. These nuclear power plants vary in size and type and could be deployed to match the size of the site being converted. While these coal power plant sites possess the basic characteristics needed, further investigation is required before a C2N
transition can occur. This includes an investigation into ownership of the plant, an in-depth
evaluation of the remaining coal power plant infrastructure, and a consideration of other factors that could pose siting challenges. After identifying a study site, the team examined how a C2N transition would bring significant financial, economic and environmental benefits to energy communities. JOBS
According to the study, if a large coal plant site is replaced by a nuclear power plant of equivalent size, jobs in the region could increase by more than 650 permanent jobs for the NuScale design example in the case study. These jobs are spread across the plant, the supply chain supporting the plant, and the community surrounding the plant and most typically come with wages that are about 25% higher than any other energy technology. The occupations that would see the largest gains include nuclear engineers, security guards, and nuclear technicians. Nuclear power plant projects could also benefit from preserving the existing experienced workforce in communities around retiring coal plants sites. Many of these workers already possess
the necessary skills and knowledge requirements needed to help transition their skills to work at a nuclear power plant. ECONOMIC BENEFITS
The
study also indicates that as new jobs increase economic output and improve wages across the community, the economic well-being of community members in the region will improve. Based on the case study, long-term job impacts could lead to additional annual economic activity of $275 million. This includes an increase of 92% tax revenue from the nuclear plant for the local county when compared to the tax revenue from the coal plant prior to its closure. These tax payments would also increase the amount of money given to improve local schools, infrastructure projects, and public services. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS As economic factors improve for communities, so will environmental indicators. Based on the case study, greenhouse gas emissions in the region would fall by 86% when nuclear power plants replace coal. This reduction is equivalent to taking more than 500,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles off
the roads.
The improved air quality could lead to lower incidence of health issues associated
with air pollution such as asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease. The study did note that
while replacing coal plants with nuclear would be a major step forward in improving air quality for the community, pollution caused by increased population and economic activity would still need to be addressed. COST SAVINGS High construction costs have consistently plagued the nuclear energy industry for years,
but a C2N transition can help lower these costs—especially for first-of-a-kind development projects.
The study shows that reusing coal infrastructure for new, advanced nuclear reactors can save around 15-35% in construction costs. C2N projects could use the existing land, connection to the grid, and office buildings. Reusing the coal plant’s electrical equipment (transmission connection, switchyard, etc.) and civil infrastructure (roads, buildings, etc.) would also save millions of dollars upfront. NEXT STEPS Argonne National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory conducted the study, which was sponsored by the Office of Nuclear Energy.
Other analyses can use this study’s methods to set up a site analysis based on a specific coal plant site and a specific type of nuclear reactor. Conducting parts of this study for different sites would determine more accurate estimates of the environmental and economic impacts of the C2N transition on the region. These new analyses would also determine how specific nuclear plants could use certain infrastructure at the coal plant sites, resulting in more accurate estimates of savings associated with avoided construction
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September 21-23, 2022 NEW VENUE: CRYSTAL GATEWAY MARRIOTT IN ARLINGTON, VA! We are pleased to host the 2022 National Cleanup Workshop at the Crystal
Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. Join us to discuss a new era of cleanup success. Hear from senior DOE officials, local government officials, and industry leaders about DOE's cleanup priorities, the future of the workforce, and more. Additional information on registration and hotel room blocks is available here. We look forward to seeing you in September! |
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Tracking DOE's $103.1 million - when and how specific project funds will be spent ECA Staff | 09/13/22 On September 12, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on the $103.1 million appropriated in fiscal year 2022 to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for 65 specific projects. These funds are part of provisions called “Congressionally Directed Spending” in the Senate and “Community Project Funding” in the House. The intended uses of these funds are to support efforts to address climate change through investments in renewable energy and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions as well as improvements in the resilience of the electricity grid. Examples of projects include expanding solar energy infrastructure and incentivizing energy efficiency. The designated recipients of these funds include tribal, state, and local governments, higher education organizations, and other nonprofit organizations in 23 states. Funding ranged from $50,000 to $9 million, with an average of $1.6 million per project. The report looks at when DOE plans to distribute the funds and how it plans to ensure they're spent properly.
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When does the agency expect recipients will have access to these funds, and when might the funds be spent? DOE officials expect recipients to have access to these funds within 120 days of a completed application, assuming the Office of Management and Budget has approved apportionment of the funds. The process begins when DOE sends a letter to a designated recipient detailing the requirements for receiving the funds. From there, DOE officials said it usually takes one to three months to complete the
application. DOE officials expect most of the funds to be awarded within the calendar year of
when appropriations were enacted. Funding for all of the provisions is no-year and is therefore available to DOE until fully expended. How does the agency intend to ensure these funds are spent properly? DOE program offices plan to use their regular processes for monitoring projects funded through Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending provisions to ensure that funds are properly spent and to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. In particular, according to DOE officials, all applicable regulations and DOE guidance for financial assistance apply to these funds. DOE officials said that they will also use the Department of the Treasury’s Do Not Pay working system to help ensure payments are
made properly to recipients. The Office of Inspector General may also decide to review these funds as part of its oversight responsibilities. Further, DOE plans to use quarterly assessments, as well as progress and financial reports, to monitor the projects once funds are awarded and to ensure funds are spent properly. What risks and challenges may the agency face distributing and monitoring these funds? DOE officials anticipate potential challenges in some areas in absorbing the increased workload for distributing and monitoring these funds. Officials noted that distributing and monitoring these new funds would
increase the workload of existing staff. In addition, some recipients of these funds are new to federal assistance, which could increase the administrative costs. DOE officials also stated that they face resource constraints in hiring additional staff. GAO previously identified technical and financial risks associated with prior DOE efforts to expedite certain financial assistance. In December 2021, GAO reported that when DOE expedited time frames for contract negotiations from up to one year to less than three months for carbon capture and storage demonstration projects at coal-powered electric generation facilities, it reduced DOE’s ability to identify and mitigate technical and financial risks. If DOE were to expedite negotiating the terms of the contracts for the
Fiscal Year 2022 Community Project Funding/Congressionally Directed Spending, it could increase the technical and financial risks of the projects. To read the full report, please click here.
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ICMA recognizes Oak Ridge City Manager Dr. Mark Watson for Outstanding Professional Achievement ICMA | 09/12/22 Oak Ridge City Manager Dr. Mark Watson will be honored by ICMA, the International City/County Management Association, as the recipient of the organization’s Award for Career Development in Memory of L.P.
Cookingham. ICMA’s Award for Career Development in Memory of L.P. Cookingham recognizes an
outstanding local government administrator who has made a significant contribution to the career development of new talent in professional local government management. As the recipient of the award, he will be honored in various platforms including ICMA’s Annual Conference, Sept. 17-21, 2022. Watson has positively influenced the career paths of over two dozen interns and assistants since beginning his career in local government in 1981. He has shared his knowledge with students and young professionals from around the world including teaching forty students about local government in Beijing, China, in 2018. “Receiving this award is a great honor. L.P. Cookingham, who was City Manager of Kansas City, Missouri from 1939-59, laid the foundation for decades of City
Managers and leaders to come. Over the years, I’ve mentored dozens of young professionals. This award encapsulates the experiences, lessons learned, career development of those new leaders who are just beginning to learn the ropes of City Management,” Watson said. Watson is a second-generation city manager and has served as City Manager for the City of Oak Ridge since 2010. He received a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas. His alma mater recently recognized him with a Lifetime Achievement Award in City Management. Watson will also be recognized by the International City/County Management Association for 45 years of public service. In May 2019, he completed his doctorate degree in philosophy from the University of Tennessee. While attending UT’s doctoral program, Watson concentrated in
the field of public administration and public policy. The ICMA Local Government Excellence
Awards Program highlights creative contributions to professional local government management while demonstrating the difference that effective and committed management makes to the quality of life in our communities. ICMA’s Professional Awards honor achievements made by outstanding chief administrative officers, assistant administrators, academics, and others accomplished through tenure in local governments or organizations. Nominations are evaluated by an independent, 13-person panel of ICMA
members. Matt Wojnowski, who is currently the assistant city manager of Hutto, Texas, worked
with Watson in Temple, Texas, after Wojnowski left graduate school. “Mark was my first city
manager, supervisor, and mentor. He instantly instilled his trust and confidence in me as an employee, encouraging me to work on several important projects,” he said. “Mark Watson continues to be a mentor, a leader, and a friend.” These recipients set the standard for innovation, effectiveness, and creativity in the cities, towns, counties, and academic institutions they lead. We thank them for their commitment to improving the lives of the constituents they serve every day.
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POLICY & LEGISLATIVE Fri, Sept 16 at 2:00 PM ET - Nuclear Energy Provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act Webinar The recently enacted
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is expected to have significant impacts on the power grid. The law includes approximately $369 billion in incentives for clean energy and climate-related program spending, including several provisions aimed at increasing nuclear power generation: Production Tax Credits for existing nuclear plants and new advanced nuclear reactors; an Investment Tax Credit for clean electricity technologies; loan guarantees; and funding for research, development and production of
domestic High Assay Low Enrichment Uranium (HALEU) fuel. This webinar will feature an expert panel to discuss the IRA’s nuclear programs and share their opinions on how the law will impact nuclear power. Time will be available for Q&A. To register for the webinar, click here. |
Read about DOE's High Level Waste Interpretation
Have questions about DOE’s recent high-level waste (HLW) interpretation? Download ECA’s Key Points and FAQs on the issue to better understand what ECA believes are the potential benefits of implementation.
Interested in learning more? Read the ECA report “Making Informed Decisions on DOE's Proposed High Level Waste Definition” at www.energyca.org/publications
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Read the latest edition of the ECA Bulletin, a regular newsletter providing a detailed brief of ECA activities, legislative news, and major events from across the DOE complex. Have suggestions for future editions? Email bulletin@energyca.org.
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Learn More about Cleanup Sites with ECA's DOE Site Profiles
ECA's new site profiles detail DOE's 13 active Environmental Management cleanup sites and national laboratories, highlighting their history, missions, and priorities. The profiles are a key source for media, stakeholders, and the public to learn more about DOE site activities, contractors, advisory boards, and their surrounding local governments.
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