Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — A U.S. Department of Energy expert says building a first-of-its-kind small modular nuclear reactor would likely cost around four billion dollars and take up to five years to build. Michelle Zietlow Miller — the former director of maintenance at the Quad Cities Power Station — briefed Governor Reynolds’ Nuclear Energy Task Force this week.
Zietlow says federal tax credits can significantly reduce the cost once the plant is operating — but state investment tax credits claimed while the reactor is being built can make such projects possible.
Her presentation indicates it’s likely a developer will line up financing and build one of these small-scale nuclear reactors, and a utility will take ownership once the plant is ready to operate. Zeitlow Miller says it’s likely around 16 hundred full-time employees would be required to operate what’s known as a “small” modular nuclear reactor facility.
KIWA Staff Photo
