Nuclear power plants are among the safest means of generating electricity, and small modular reactor designs are simpler than traditional nuclear facilities. SMR designs take advantage of natural forces like gravity, condensation or pressure differences to keep the reactor core safe. Trained staff are on-site to monitor these systems and ensure they perform appropriately. A small modular reactor would operate under stringent regulatory oversight and include comprehensive operational safety and emergency response plans.

Building an SMR can be a cost-effective solution for ensuring reliable access to affordable, clean electricity. Next-generation nuclear facilities are smaller, simpler to construct and more affordable.

Development of SMRs can provide significant economic benefits to communities and states. Construction typically involves thousands of employees, creating a ripple effect that spurs additional indirect and direct employment opportunities. Operation of a small modular reactor can create hundreds of jobs, spur new economic activity, promote advanced training and educational opportunities and add millions of dollars in new annual local, state and federal tax revenue. The refueling process also can carry additional short-term economic benefits, including doubling the reactor's workforce with highly skilled contract workers for up to three months.

Nuclear energy is a proven clean energy technology. Nuclear power generation has been around since the 1950s and has seen massive growth globally since. It is a vital resource for successfully reducing carbon emissions while preserving reliable access to energy. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2023, 18.6% of U.S. electricity came from nuclear power. Natural gas accounted for about 40%, followed by 21.4% from all renewable sources and 16.2% from coal. Nuclear power is the largest clean source of electricity generation in the U.S.

When it comes to managing spent fuel, SMRs are expected to operate in a manner consistent with conventional reactors. Currently, spent fuel is safely and securely stored at more than 70 reactor sites across the country. Spent fuel is placed in a storage pool of water to both cool and shield the material. These pools are constructed with thick reinforced concrete and steel liners and are often designed to hold all of the spent fuel produced over the planned operating life of the reactor. Once fuel is cooled in a pool and then stored in dry casks with air circulation inside concrete shielding. Utilities are reimbursed under their contract with the U.S. Department of Energy for most of the costs of long-term storage on site.  Long-term storage of spent fuel on site must adhere to the NRC regulations, as existing large-scale commercial reactors do across the U.S.

AEP is experienced with spent fuel storage management, as shown in the above pictured dry storage casks at the Donald C. Cook Nuclear Power Plant in Bridgman, Michigan. The dry storage casks shown contain the majority of the spent fuel for 2.3 gigawatts and nearly 50 years of operation.