The Small Modular Reactor Program in the United States

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactor Technologies, U.S. Department of Energy

^* johnE.kelly@nuclear.energy.gov

Abstract

The United States is developing clean energy alternatives to meet President Barack Obama’s “All of the Above Clean Energy Strategy” with a goal of generating 80 percent of electricity from clean energy and thereby reducing carbon emissions in half by the year 2035. The U.S. Department of Energy believes that nuclear energy is essential to reach these goals and Small Modular Reactors are a very innovative technology option. Small Modular Reactors have many desirable attributes and the markets look promising. Demonstration of this technology over the next decade can lead to the next generation of safe, reliable, and clean nuclear energy.