As President Biden releases his American Jobs Plan, there are certain features of the plan that will impact Energy Communities Alliance members and others across the nuclear complex. The American Jobs Plan prioritizes the infrastructure and energy grid of the United States, using the promise of rebuilding a workforce to accomplish goals in those two fields of investment. Nuclear energy, nuclear
technologies, and nuclear research seem to be well addressed in asking Congress for funding to develop supply chains, workforce opportunities, and R&D initiatives. Below are highlights of the American Jobs Plan that will potentially impact the nuclear complex
Environmental Management:
No funds for the Office of Environmental Management were mentioned.
New Nuclear:
In order to establish the United States as an economy that invests in research and development to better position U.S. technologies in a global and domestic market, Biden proposes $30 billion in funding for R&D to spur innovation and job creation in rural areas. Separate from this funding for R&D is $40 billion to upgrade research infrastructure in laboratories across the country. Most notably,
these funds will be allocated across federal R&D agencies (including at the Department of Energy) while half the funds are to be reserved for Historically Black College and Universities (HBCU). The funds will also include the creation of a new national lab focused on climate that will be affiliated with an HBCU.
The Administration is also calling for an investment of $35 billion to address solutions needed to address the climate crisis while establishing the U.S. as a leader in clean energy jobs and technology. This funding will be allocated to launch the ARPA-C to develop new methods to reduce emissions and expand climate research. Advanced nuclear will be included in a $15 billion funding request for
demonstration projects for climate R&D priorities.
The Biden Administration is looking to jumpstart clean energy manufacturing through federal procurement. Federal purchasing power can be used to establish clean energy production by supporting innovation while also creating and maintaining jobs. Through a $46 billion investment in federal buying power, the President seeks to enable manufacturing of clean technologies such as advanced nuclear reactors and
fuel domestically, especially in rural areas.
Workforce:
Broadly speaking, President Biden’s plan seeks to “revitalize manufacturing, secure U.S. supply chains, invest in R&D, and train Americans for the jobs of the future.” Although this can encompass several projects, it does align well with the recent Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on nuclear energy that highlighted the need for a strong nuclear supply chain. That hearing also
discussed the challenges associated with an aging workforce and the need to establish domestic uranium reserves along with research and development to continue advanced reactor demonstrations and deployments.
President Biden is also seeking to reinvigorate small businesses and local communities. Through a $31 billion proposal, small businesses will be given access to credit, venture capital, and R&D dollars. Through a $5 billion proposal, a new Rural Partnership Program to help rural regions, including tribal Nations, will be developed to realize economic development within their communities. Through a
$48 billion combined investment, American workforces will be directly invested in to develop infrastructure and worker protection – including apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships.
Power Infrastructure:
President Biden is emphasizing a resilient power grid that offers lower energy bills while also improving public health and reducing environmental stresses. The goal outlined by the administration is to achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035. Also highlighted in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee by the witnesses is the reliability, affordability, and zero-emissions that
nuclear has to offer when used as a baseload power source or to use in conjunction with renewables as nuclear has the storage capacity that renewables lack. President Biden’s plan also aims to utilize the federal government’s purchasing power to drive clean energy deployment across the market by purchasing clean power for federal buildings.
