The federal government's move toward small modular nuclear reactors is getting panned by a taxpayers' group.
Taxpayers for Common Sense has given the Department of Energy's plan to give $500 million or more for the small modular reactors a "Golden Fleece Award." It said the nuclear industry is "at the federal trough" for taxpayer money to develop the reactors.
"The nuclear industry has a tradition of rushing forth to proclaim that a new technology, just around the corner, will take care of whatever problem exists," Taxpayers for Common Sense Senior Program Director Autumn Hanna said in a prepared statement. "Unfortunately, these technologies have an equally long tradition of expensive failure. If the industry believes in small modular reactors and a reactor in every backyard, great, but don't expect the taxpayer to pick up the tab."
Cranberry Township-based Westinghouse Electric Co. lost out in the first round of small modular reactor funding, but has said it will seek out funding in the next rounds.
Written by: Staff
Original Publication URL: http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/blog/morning-edition/2013/02/nuclear-program-wins-golden-fleece.html
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