A $908bn relief and stimulus plan approved by US Congress includes $1.5bn for nuclear energy programmes, signalling the importance of nuclear as the country tries to move towards an increasingly decarbonised economy.
The total appropriation for the Department of Energy is $42bn, which is $3.45bn above the level enacted in 2020 and $6.3bn above the budget request. This includes $1.5bn for nuclear energy research, development and demonstration, including $280m for the Advanced Reactors Demonstration Programme, which was announced in May.
The plan still needs to be signed by president Donald Trump, but he said this week he would ask Congress to “amend” the bill. Among other changes he wants to increase a $600 direct payment for every American adult to $2,000, or $4,000 for a couple.
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