Nuclear energy is pushed by the government primarily for its ability to reduce carbon emissions, but the NEI stresses that advanced reactors are more flexible than just that. The NEI explains:
“Once built, the advanced reactors being designed today will vary in size from our current reactors and may be used for additional purposes such as desalination, producing steam for industrial uses, and hydrogen generation for industrial and transportation needs.”
Organizations can apply to three “pathways” for funding through this program. “Rapidly demonstrating advanced reactor designs [are] necessary to provide clean energy and expand market opportunities before access to key infrastructure and supply chain capabilities in the United States is lost,” the DoE explains.