Risen from the Ashes: The Rebirth of American Nuclear Leadership

The FIRST program is a State-led initiative that provides capacity-building support for allied nations to help facilitate the safe and responsible construction of small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced nuclear reactors² that generate 300 megawatts or less of electricity (MWe) per unit. These collaborations provide partner nations with advanced reactor technology and help develop a robust civil nuclear industry with a highly skilled workforce that meets or exceeds international nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation standards. Over 40 nations have applied for the FIRST program, with another 17 on a waitlist. 

Then, in November 2022, the U.S. announced a new program, Project Phoenix, which will provide direct U.S. support for coal-to-SMR conversion feasibility studies advancing Central and Eastern European energy security goals. This program, a collaboration between Commerce’s SMR Public-Private Program and State, was initiated at a critical juncture following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the related disruption of Europe’s natural gas supply. The Nuclear Expediting the Energy Transition (NEXT) program, a FIRST sub-program, and a NEXT One Stop Shop are for European and Eurasian countries approaching SMR deployment decision points, with a suite of advanced project preparation tools and services, including expert study tours to visit U.S. nuclear facilities and access to an SMR simulator for workforce development.

 To date, Project Phoenix’s efforts have been primarily focused on Eastern Europe. Projects include feasibility studies in Slovenia, Slovakia, Czechia, and Poland. By aiding these nations, the U.S. can satisfy national security objectives while protecting the energy security of partner countries.  

To help finance potential projects in partner countries, State works with the Trade and Development Agency, the Export-Import Bank (EXIM), and the International Development Finance Corporation to explore funding options. For example, the Romania SMR feasibility study, which would generate additional exports of American services, required cooperation with EXIM to hire additional engineers. Projects under the Phoenix initiative undergo extensive scrutiny through Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies, which estimate costs, technical specifications, and procurement requirements. Around two-thirds of the cost of these projects comes from engineering, procurement, and construction; the remaining price tag is the construction of the nuclear island of the plant. 

Several U.S. vendors and companies are also involved in Project Phoenix, providing various technology and procedure options to the nations participating in the program. The variety provided within the program enables nations to select the option that best fits their needs or goals. 

The initiatives underneath the FIRST program umbrella are the early steps that could set the stage for a resurgence of American leadership in the global nuclear space. Implementing these initiatives has aided the U.S. in its attempt to reassert itself as a competitive and reliable option for nations seeking to advance their clean energy ambitions. 

For the U.S. to continue on this path of global leadership in the nuclear sphere, there are several tasks that our country needs to complete. The most critical task is revitalizing American fuel production capacity. Ensuring the U.S. has a robust domestic fuel production industry would allow us to support our domestic fuel requirements and provide fuel to nations partnered under the FIRST program and Project Phoenix.  Another essential task would be resolving the financing and licensing issues surrounding the construction of advanced reactors. This would provide the U.S. the opportunity to export advanced reactor technology much faster, presenting a solid alternative to Chinese or Russian options. The United States’ commitment to supporting the spread of advanced nuclear technology has made us optimistic that the 2050 zero carbon emission target will be met.