Louisa County Board of Supervisors Announces Signing of SMR Bill and North Anna Announcement

July 11, 2024
Featured image for “Louisa County Board of Supervisors Announces Signing of SMR Bill and North Anna Announcement”

At a ceremonial signing of SB 454, Dominion Energy Virginia announced the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) from leading SMR nuclear technology companies. This RFP aims to evaluate the feasibility of developing a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) at the North Anna Power Station in Louisa County, Virginia. The RFP does not commit to building an SMR at North Anna but marks an initial step in assessing the technology and site to meet Dominion Energy customers’ future energy needs, in line with the company’s latest Integrated Resource Plan.

State leaders highlighted the bipartisan nature of the legislation, which allows Dominion Energy Virginia to begin preliminary SMR development. They noted the benefits of SMR technology, including lower upfront capital costs and scalability. Speakers at the event emphasized that if constructed, SMRs could provide more reliable and clean power to the electric grid. Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears remarked, “Virginia stands at the threshold of this very exciting and transformative era. Our energy needs are growing, and so too are our opportunities.”

SMRs utilize nuclear fission to generate heat and produce energy, similar to traditional nuclear units, and are considered the next generation of carbon-free nuclear power in the United States. Louisa County Economic Development Director Andy Wade commented, “Though the parts are factory-made and modular, SMRs represent reliability like traditional nuclear power. Their scalability and small footprint will allow us to effectively meet the growing projected local power demands.”

Louisa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Duane Adams stated, “While there is no commitment to build an SMR at North Anna as of today, siting SMRs on an existing power station property allows for interconnection to the grid and access to a trained workforce. Hopefully, an SMR will soon call Louisa home.”


Share:

At a ceremonial signing of SB 454, Dominion Energy Virginia announced the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) from leading SMR nuclear technology companies. This RFP aims to evaluate the feasibility of developing a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) at the North Anna Power Station in Louisa County, Virginia. The RFP does not commit to building an SMR at North Anna but marks an initial step in assessing the technology and site to meet Dominion Energy customers’ future energy needs, in line with the company’s latest Integrated Resource Plan.

State leaders highlighted the bipartisan nature of the legislation, which allows Dominion Energy Virginia to begin preliminary SMR development. They noted the benefits of SMR technology, including lower upfront capital costs and scalability. Speakers at the event emphasized that if constructed, SMRs could provide more reliable and clean power to the electric grid. Lieutenant Governor Winsome Sears remarked, “Virginia stands at the threshold of this very exciting and transformative era. Our energy needs are growing, and so too are our opportunities.”

SMRs utilize nuclear fission to generate heat and produce energy, similar to traditional nuclear units, and are considered the next generation of carbon-free nuclear power in the United States. Louisa County Economic Development Director Andy Wade commented, “Though the parts are factory-made and modular, SMRs represent reliability like traditional nuclear power. Their scalability and small footprint will allow us to effectively meet the growing projected local power demands.”

Louisa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Duane Adams stated, “While there is no commitment to build an SMR at North Anna as of today, siting SMRs on an existing power station property allows for interconnection to the grid and access to a trained workforce. Hopefully, an SMR will soon call Louisa home.”


Share: