OAK HARBOR – The Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station will get $19.2 million in federal funding for its future of power generation. It comes from the Department of Energy for the new Nuclear Reactor Safety Training and Workforce Development program.
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, made the announcement for the new program April 8 along with power plant owner Vistra Corp.
The program will be run by the University of Toledo.
“We are just so happy with this partnership announced today and anchored at the University of Toledo, working with a national leader in nuclear research, the University of Michigan, and the U.S. Department of Energy to pursue research and development with one of the finest national nuclear labs, managed by the Department of Energy at the Idaho National Laboratory,” Kaptur said. “UToledo’s new ranking as an R1 research university further positions it as a hub for innovation and workforce development. Our Great Lakes region is a powerhouse for innovation and the future of America’s energy workforce.”
Kaptur is the ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. She was joined by representatives from the Great Lakes Partnership to Enhance the Nuclear Workforce, which includes the University of Toledo, University of Michigan, Owens Community College, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and Vistra Corp.
The GLP will match the award with a $20 million investment for a total project cost of $39.2 million over a five-year period. It is part of the FY2024 Energy & Water Appropriations Bill.
“The work that they do is not seen by the general public, but there couldn’t be a more important industry of skilled workers than this one that connects every household, business, classroom and power facility. Think of the power of this industry,” Kaptur said.
The Vistra Davis-Besse award is the largest DOE award of 10 projects.
Through a focus on the Great Lakes and Midwest region, including companies representing 31.8% of the nation’s nuclear generating capacity, the GLP will develop workforce training and outreach programs to be scaled to nationally recognized industry safety credentials.
The training programs are expected to grow the workforce at a time when a large percentage of the workforce is getting ready to retire, and it is expected to include all levels, from former naval nuclear specialists and researchers to blue-collar workers.
“As these plants grow and expand, they are going to need a workforce,” said Shane Bauman, international representative of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. “So, with all the new technologies, I see a lot of advanced training, possible partnerships with the different universities to get in the classroom and then cross-training in the field as well. It’s just really talking about all the nuclear opportunities, advanced training and a pipeline into the workforce.”
The team will work to enhance the existing safety training pipelines for the light water reactor workforce, attract a larger number of qualified workers for the nuclear workforce, modernize training curricula and address emerging advanced reactor concepts and establish national industry recognized nuclear reactor safety certifications.
“Thanks to this significant DOE grant, the important work the Great Lakes Partnership to Enhance the Nuclear Workforce will now be able to do expands on Vistra’s efforts across the country to enhance workforce development — creating opportunities that power the economy and directly benefit our communities,” Vistra President and CEO Jim Burke said.
University of Toledo President James Holloway is a nuclear engineer who was a nuclear engineering professor at the University of Michigan.
“The University of Toledo is proud to lead this collaborative effort to enhance, modernize and standardize training pipelines and programs to support the growing energy sector,” Holloway said.
A second funding opportunity for the remaining $50 million in federal funding will follow at a later date. In addition to the GLP’s project, North Carolina State University was selected for $18.3 million for a project; eight other awards went for projects under $2 million each.
Kaptur’s office added that the safety training and workforce development program is designed to ensure nuclear power plant workers themselves are protected — in terms of their own safety and health — as well as protect their families when they return home from their workdays and shifts. Additionally, the program is meant to broadly protect American communities that host nuclear power plants from any leaks of radioactive material or agents or other serious safety breaches and accidents.
rlapointe@gannett.com
419-332-2674
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Nuclear workforce expansion gets $20 million boost
Reporting by Roger LaPointe, Port Clinton News Herald / Fremont News-Messenger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
