EPSA Comments on Proposed Guidance for the DOE Civil Nuclear Credit Program Second Award Cycle

Venue: U.S. Department of Energy

Reference: Guidance for the Second Award Cycle of the Civil Nuclear Credit Program (DOE-HQ-2022-0006)

Summary: DOE’s updated guidance would allow for a nuclear facility to apply for CNC Program funding through the offer of a narrative explanation on the “likelihood” that the facility will retire within four years. As the CNC Program eligibility criteria becomes broader, EPSA continues to call on DOE to develop an efficient process (consistent with the intent of Congress) that relies on the best available expertise to determine the most appropriate use of Program funding.

EPSA believes that harnessing the expertise of a neutral, independent third party (like ISO/RTOs) in assessing applications from an expanding pool of applicants would not only lead to more efficient use of DOE funding but would eliminate the need for the Department to create a process for evaluating the merits of each application.