Splitting Stigmas

NuScale signs MOU with Nucor

In January of 2022 Nucor Corp. announced that it will build its new scrap-fed electric arc furnace (EAF) steel sheet mill in Mason County, WV.  On May 16, 2023, NuScale Power and Nucor Corp. signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore the deployment of NuScale’s small modular reactors (SMRs) to power and provide clean, reliable baseload electricity to Nucor’s EAF steel mills. 

“As part of the MOU, the companies will evaluate site suitability, transmission interconnection capabilities and capital costs for potential NuScale plants to be ...

West Virginia has long been an energy production and policy leader for the nation.  As goes West Virginia, so goes energy policy in the United States.  As a bellwether for where energy in this country is headed, many eyes are turning to see what leadership and guidance West Virginia will provide as many states begin to look toward a mix of traditional energies along with newer and cleaner forms of energy.

West Virginia is now an all-of-the-above energy trailblazer.  Many states have found meeting “all-of-the-above” difficult as some energy production forms are difficult for them.  ...

We are officially halfway (30-days) through the West Virginia 2023 Legislative Session. In that short amount of time, the West Virginia Legislature has been extremely busy. With so much going on in such a short period of time, I wanted to take a closer look at some bills which might not be making headlines but are very important to nuclear energy and the development of West Virginia’s all-of-the-above energy strategy.

First is House Bill 2896 which concerns making West Virginia an Agreement State with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (“NRC”). This legislation is modeled after ...

On December 7, 2022, a new dawn seemed to rise in West Virginia.  The old dusty mountains seemed to stretch a bit higher, the aged rivers ran a bit swifter, and the tall trees swayed a bit freer.  It was not a change in the weather causing this, but rather changes by West Virginians being made for the climate and for revitalization of the Mountain State which emboldened our natural resources to grow wild once again.  For this day saw the first ever New Energy Conference, hosted by MAREC Action and American Clean Power Association.

This is the first energy conference in the state I am aware of ...

West Virginia has seen great interest and much progress in the development and planning for of alternative electric generation in recent years.  These efforts have been further bolstered by legislation such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (“BIL”) and the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”).  As these efforts to add cleaner energy and more electricity generation to the state increase, the West Virginia Public Service Commission (“PSC”), the governing body in charge of reviewing and approving applications for electrical generation projects, has recently made its ...

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently held its Nuclear Energy International Ministerial Conference in Washington, DC. The conference saw countries from across the world make new commitments to nuclear energy, renew initiatives to restart and expand nuclear programs, and world leaders and ambassadors reiterate the dire need for nuclear energy to lead the energy transition and promote economic, energy, and national security.

Some of the notable quotes and statements from the conference exemplifying the importance and belief in nuclear energy were the ...

Nuclear energy and advanced nuclear is beginning to gain support and momentum in the Appalachian region.

Earlier this month, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin unveiled Virginia’s new 2022 Energy Plan. This new energy plan, like West Virginia’s, focuses on an “all-of-the-above” approach that seeks to harness nuclear, natural gas, renewables, and new energy sources.

Governor Youngkin’s plan outlines the increase in nuclear energy as a key part of the Commonwealth’s objective to become a world leading nuclear innovation hub. 

“I am thrilled that the 2022 Virginia ...

On September 12, 2022, the West Virginia Legislature passed a groundbreaking piece of legislation that is paving the way for the energy future of many industrial and manufacturing projects in the state, as well as for alternative energy companies interested in the Mountain State.

The legislation, Senate Bill 4001, establishes the Certified Industrial Business Expansion Development Program (“the Program”) and grants the Department of Economic Development (“DED”) the authority to administer the Program. Under the Program, DED may certify high impact industrial ...

The Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022 (the “CHIPS Act”) was signed into law by President Biden on August 9, 2022. Bowles Rice attorney Marc Mignault lays out the advanced nuclear energy technologies provisions it includes.

Under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), touted and proposed by U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), the government would provide much needed and sought-after relief and incentives for nuclear energy. 

Existing Nuclear Power Plant Production Tax Credit 

The IRA’s Nuclear Production Credit for existing nuclear plants would be included in IRS Tax Code 45U.  The credit for existing nuclear plants starts with 3 cents ($0.03) multiplied by the kilowatt hours of electricity produced and sold by the plant. This credit is reduced if the 0.03 x kWh exceeds the “reduction amount” which is ...