Illustration: Aïda Amer / Axios
The largest U.S. nuclear operator delivered a message to Congress on Thursday: President Trump's nuclear ambitions depend on retaining IRA tax credits and Energy Department funding.
Why it matters: Constellation Energy's comments come as Republicans debate whether to phase out incentives for nuclear and weigh a White House budget request proposing steep cuts to DOE's nuclear office.
- The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee session introduced nuclear to the mix of hearings so far this year on how to quench AI's energy thirst.
Zoom in: Trump's executive orders envision 10 new large reactors with complete designs under construction by 2030.
- Those require Congress to continue the 45U credit for existing nuclear plants and the 45Y and 48E credits for electricity plants, said Kathleen Barrón, Constellation's executive vice president and chief strategy and growth officer.
- "There's no question" that DOE's Loan Programs Office "can help bring down the costs of these new technologies," Barrón told lawmakers. "And that has benefits across the country for ratepayers."
- At Oklo, the LPO also is "an important financial tool," added Pat Schweiger, that company's chief technology officer.
Friction point: The House-passed reconciliation bill would phase out the 45U nuclear production tax credit that the IRA created. It also would end tech-neutral investment and production tax credits for nuclear projects starting after 2028.
- Rep. Zoe Lofgren, Science's top Democrat, criticized the administration's proposed 24% cut to DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy as well as reductions to fusion research.
What they're saying: Rep. Randy Weber, chair of Science's energy subcommittee, said he supports greater flexibility in accessing the 45U credit.
- "All the things that we can do for energy, we ought to be taking a really hard look at," Weber told Axios after the hearing.
Between the lines: Senate Republicans are seeking ways to keep incentives from the Democrats' climate law and Biden-era DOE programs to benefit nuclear.
- The DOE's budget request proposes keeping some Loan Programs Office funding for nuclear power.
- And the Senate Energy and Natural Resources reconciliation text would create a new DOE financing program to back existing and closed energy infrastructure.
What's next: Senate Finance reconciliation text coming soon will reveal where Republicans land on nuclear tax credits.
