Washington

Ameren’s SMR plan could see new boost from research grant to University of Missouri

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– The U.S. Department of Commerce announced a $1.84 million grant to the University of Missouri Tuesday to aid the school in researching and developing components of the small modular reactors for the nuclear power industry.

The University of Missouri, which recently announced a partnership with Ameren Misouri and Wastinghouse Electric – two companies which have joined forces in an effort to implement the technology, was one of 10 winners to receive part of $20.5 million in grants being distributed under the White House’s ‘Make it in America’ Challenge.

“Given our competitive advantages in energy costs, research and development, labor productivity, and intellectual property protection, there is no better place to do business than the United States,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker said in a statement. “The Make it in America Challenge grants support innovative, regionally-based strategies that will encourage businesses to capitalize on those advantages.”

The Commerce Department said they hoped the grant money would help the University of Missouri and state manufacturers to develop and establish a supply chain for production of the small modular nuclear reactors.

Ameren’s hope to expand the SMR program has been supported by Gov. Jay Nixon, a Democrat, as well as much of Missouri’s congressional delegation. In a statement Tuesday, Democratic U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill said the Obama administration’s announcement could be a boost for Missouri’s economy.

“This award to our flagship university is further evidence that Missouri is perfectly situated to lead the nation in the development of this important industry,” McCaskill said. “Ultimately, we want our institutions of higher education to provide our state with opportunities and resources that can lead to job creation—and that’s exactly what I believe this grant will do.”

Ameren and Westinghouse’s project has been passed up by federal officials before. The companies had previously sought funding from a Department of Energy grant program, but were not selected.