DOE won't abandon light water reactors

The U.S. Department of Energy is not planning to abandon development of light water reactor nuclear technology. A number of new programs are aimed at boosting the productivity of existing nuclear plants by the department. The Light Water Reactor Technology Program has three objectives responsive to the National Energy Plan aim of conserving resources and reducing dependence on imports: (1) to improve the productivity of LWRs in the near-term; (2) to increase the willingness of utilities to invest in nuclear plants through demonstration of standardization and construction improvements which will reduce plant costs and shorten construction schedules; and (3) to increase the energy obtained per unit of mined uranium, both for conservation of resources and for reduction in fuel costs. Some specific projects now underway are described