Companies Push For Small Nuclear Reactors In Missouri

Ameren Missouri and Westinghouse executives gave a presentation to the state Public Service Commission on their plans to build small modular nuclear reactors, also known as SMR’s.

The two companies are pursuing up to $452 million in federal grants to build up to five SMR’s at Ameren’s Callaway County plant near Fulton. 

Ameren Missouri CEO Warren Baxter told state utility regulators that the project would be a game changer for Missouri’s economy.

 “There are 95-hundred direct jobs for just one 225-modular reactor, and 9,000 indirect jobs, and we believe approximately 250 to 300 permanent jobs would be at the plant site for one reactor.”

Joseph Zwetolitz is President of the Americas division of Westinghouse.  He said SMR’s would be safer than the traditional nuclear reactor:

“This reactor is almost entirely underground, which provides an additional level of safety, with regards to potential postulated accidents, deliberate attacks, tornadoes, those kind of things,” said Zelowitz.

Kevin Gunn is the Chairman of the Public Service Commission.  He said they’re interested in the project, even though the commission has no authority over it. 

The Department of Energy is expected to announce who’ll get the grants in September.