Westinghouse Selects Missouri as Partner to Develop Next-Generation Nuclear Reactors, Governor Nixon Announces

Press Release

Gov. Jay Nixon today joined senior executives from Westinghouse Electric Company, the global leader in nuclear energy technology; Ameren Missouri; and all of Missouri's electric energy providers to announce that Westinghouse has chosen Missouri as the location to develop and manufacture a new generation of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMRs).

Next month, Westinghouse will apply for highly competitive federal cost-share investment funds from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to design, license, manufacture and commercialize American-made SMRs to help meet America's energy needs and to export this technology globally. SMRs are highly compact, safe and reliable reactors that make nuclear power an attractive option for a variety of electric energy providers.

If Westinghouse receives the investment funds, they and Ameren Missouri would seek appropriate licenses from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to move forward with construction of a Westinghouse SMR at Ameren Missouri's Callaway site to help meet our entire state's energy needs and transform Missouri into a hub for manufacturing SMRs to be exported to countries around the world.

Westinghouse's application to the DOE, and its vision of developing SMR technology in Missouri, has strong support from an unprecedented collaboration of all of Missouri's electric power providers, including Ameren Missouri; the Missouri Association of Electric Cooperatives; the Missouri Public Utility Alliance; Associated Electric Cooperative Inc.; Empire District Electric; and Kansas City Power and Light.

Westinghouse selected Missouri as its partner for this transformative project because of the state's outstanding workforce, powerhouse research institutions, strong support for nuclear power, and central location along two major rivers - making the state an ideal location to transport SMRs to global customers.

"This investment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that could spark a next-generation manufacturing industry in Missouri. Westinghouse is the global leader in nuclear energy technology, and Missouri is proud to be partnering with this outstanding company to embrace this transformative opportunity to create jobs and develop a new global manufacturing industry," Gov. Nixon said. "Designing, developing and commercializing next-generation nuclear technology will create good jobs for Missourians, expand our global exports, and ensure that Missouri has affordable, abundant, safe and reliable power for generations to come. Missouri offers Westinghouse an outstanding nuclear operator and workforce, world-class research universities, a strong foothold in the nuclear industry, and a central location to develop a worldwide manufacturing base. As Governor, I'm fully committed to working with Westinghouse, Ameren Missouri and all our electric energy providers to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity."

"We are excited and eager to begin this historic partnership with Missouri and Ameren to further develop nuclear energy technology while bringing economic benefits to the state of Missouri," said Dr. Kate Jackson, Westinghouse Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. "As we were first in developing and licensing passive reactor technology with the AP1000® reactor, Westinghouse, along with Ameren and the State of Missouri, will be the first movers in the next generation of nuclear technology, the Westinghouse SMR. Our experience, capabilities, and licensing expertise, coupled with Ameren's working utility knowledge and Missouri's highly skilled workforce, strong foothold in the nuclear industry, and central location create a competitive advantage to rapidly deploy SMR units here in the United States and elsewhere in the world."

"We are proud to partner with Westinghouse and the State of Missouri in pursuing this tremendous opportunity to further our commitment of helping to meet our state's future energy needs," said Warner L. Baxter, president and CEO of Ameren Missouri. "In addition, we strongly believe the Department of Energy's program creates the potential for a transformative economic development opportunity for the entire State of Missouri."

Westinghouse plans to develop close working relationships with the nuclear energy programs at both the University of Missouri-Columbia and the Missouri University of Science & Technology to leverage the expertise of their faculty and students, as well as with the numerous community college and vocational school programs throughout the state.

No state legislative action or statutory change is needed to move forward with this application. Westinghouse will submit its application to the U.S. Department of Energy by May 21. Federal officials have indicated they will announce the investments within 60 days after the application deadline.

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