Kaptur Delivers $19.2 Million Federal Investment for New Nuclear Training Safety Education Program
Oak Harbor, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) visited the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant to announce a $19.2 Million federal funding investment from the Department of Energy (DOE) for the new Nuclear Reactor Safety Training and Workforce Development program to be administered at the University of Toledo. Congresswoman Kaptur, who serves as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development, was joined by representatives from the Great Lakes Partnership to Enhance the Nuclear Workforce (GLP) which includes the University of Toledo (UT), University of Michigan (UM), Owens Community College, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), and Vistra Corp. The GLP will more than match the award with a $20 Million investment for a total project cost of $39.2 Million over a 5-year period. This major award from DOE is the largest award nationwide as part of this new program initiated by Congresswoman Kaptur. The initial funding round includes $50 Million awarded to 10 university-led projects that will grow nuclear safety training programs and curricula nationwide. Investment in forward thinking training and development for the nation's next generation of power generation was conceived by Congresswoman Kaptur and included as part of the FY2024 Energy & Water Appropriations Bill which she helped author.
"This $19.2 Million award to the University of Toledo is the largest single federal award from the federal government in UToledo history and will reshape how the Federal government views university based nuclear research. UToledo's new ranking as an R1 research university further positions it as a hub for innovation and workforce development. Our Great Lakes region is a powerhouse for innovation and the future of America's energy workforce. Northwest Ohio deserves this kind of forward thinking investment—America betting on the best of this region, not the worst," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development. "This effort will empower Northwest Ohio to lead the Great Lakes Partnership in training the next generation of highly skilled, safety-focused nuclear workers, with an eye toward the advanced nuclear technologies of tomorrow. Investments like this are essential to support good-paying jobs and ensure safe, reliable energy for Northwest Ohio and the Great Lakes region."
“Thanks to this significant DOE grant, the important work the Great Lakes Partnership to Enhance the Nuclear Workforce will now be able to do expands on Vistra’s efforts across the country to enhance workforce development—creating opportunities that power the economy and directly benefit our communities," said Jim Burke, president & CEO, Vistra Corp. "We are proud to support programs that recognize the path to a good job runs through our labor partners, community colleges, technical schools, and our nation’s top colleges and universities. The jobs of tomorrow are here today. It’s our responsibility to seize this moment, grow our talent pipeline, and ensure safe, reliable power for years to come.”
“The University of Toledo is proud to lead this collaborative effort to enhance, modernize and standardize training pipelines and programs to support the growing energy sector,” said University of Toledo President James Holloway. “UToledo has long been a leader in energy and environment research and education, and through this partnership, we can apply that expertise to strengthen safety and training for people in nuclear energy careers in our region and across the country.”
Through a focus on the Great Lakes/Midwest region, including companies representing 31.8% of the Nation’s nuclear generating capacity, the GLP will develop workforce training and outreach programs to be scaled to nationally recognized industry safety credentials. The team will work to enhance the existing safety training pipelines for the light water reactor workforce; attract a larger number of qualified entrants into the nuclear workforce; modernize training curricula and address emerging advanced reactor concepts; and establish national industry recognized nuclear reactor safety certifications.
Congresswoman Kaptur was joined for today's announcement by:
- Frank Calzonetti Ph.D., Special Assistant to the President for Research Initiatives at The University of Toledo
- Gary Leidich, Chair of the Great Lakes Partnership to Enhance the Nuclear Workforce Advisory Board
- Todd Allen Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering, University of Michigan
- Shane Bauman, International Representative, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
- John Dreyfuss, Vice President, Nuclear Support, Vistra
A full list of partners in the Great Lakes Partnership to Enhance the Nuclear Workforce (GLP) includes:
- The University of Toledo
- The University of Michigan
- University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign
- North Dakota State University
- Monroe Community College
- Lakeland Community College
- Owens Community College and the College of DuPage
- Excelsior University
- Vistra Corporation
- Constellation
- DTE Energy
- Xcel
- Idaho National Laboratory
- American Nuclear Society
- Electric Power Research Institute
- Center for Energy Workforce Development
- Pittsburgh Technical
- Nuclear Talent Scout
The safety training and workforce development program is designed to ensure nuclear power plant workers themselves are protected—in terms of their own safety and health —as well as protect their families when they return home from their workdays and shifts. Additionally, and importantly, the program is meant to broadly protect American communities—like Oak Harbor and the greater Toledo Metropolitan Area—that host nuclear power plants from any leaks of radioactive material or agents, or other serious safety breaches and accidents.
The Nuclear Reactor Safety Training and Workforce Development program was created by Kaptur in the FY2024 Energy & Water Appropriations bill, which set aside $100 Million for the initiative. A second funding opportunity for the remaining $50 Million will follow at a later date. As part of this selection and announcement, in addition to the GLP’s project, North Carolina State University was selected for $18.3 Million for a project and there were 8 additional awards for projects under $2 Million each. Additional information about these awards can be found by clicking here. You can learn more about the Nuclear Reactor Safety Training Program by clicking here.
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