October 1, 2014 – The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) has issued a draft solicitation that would provide up to $12.6 billion in loan guarantees for advanced nuclear energy projects.

“For the first time in more than 30 years, new nuclear power plants are under construction in the United States,” said secretary Ernest Moniz. “This solicitation would build on that investment and help support the construction of the next-generation of safe and secure nuclear energy projects. Expanding on the administration’s commitment to an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy, these projects will provide clean energy to American families and businesses.”

Once finalized, these loan guarantees will provide financing to help commercialize advanced nuclear energy technologies, says DoE, supporting projects that are often unable to secure full commercial financing due to their scale and use of innovative technology.

Authorized by Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects Solicitation would provide loan guarantees to support construction of innovative nuclear energy and front-end nuclear projects in the United States that reduce, avoid or sequester greenhouse gas emissions. While any project that meets the eligibility requirements may apply, DoE has identified four key technology areas of interest in the draft solicitation:

• advanced nuclear reactors
• small modular reactors
• upgrades and uprates at existing facilities
• front-end nuclear projects

The draft solicitation can be found online at www.energy.gov/lpo .