NUCLEONICS WEEK MAY 12, 2005 New association to focus on small reactor applications A group of industry companies, interested individuals, and a remote Alaska community have established an organization to promote the potential uses of small nuclear power reactors. The Small Power Reactor Association was created in mid-April, and the group appointed Garry Randolph as its president. Randolph retired in December as Ameren Corp.'s senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. Randolph said in a phone interview last week that the association's goal was to promote small reactors, typically less than 100 MW. The association is "not tied to a specific reactor design," nor is it dedicated to any particular application, he said. The other part of the association's mission is to bring together the appropriate parties and "facilitate the use of this energy source," he said. The group envisions various uses for small reactors, ranging from providing electricity in remote areas to mining applications to hydrogen production and water desalination. Small nuclear power reactors also could be installed at military sites where there is a need for "assurance and reliability, with little support," Randolph said. The association is developing a Web site and working out its financing, Randolph said. It has established different functional levels, which correspond to various funding commitments. In the highest tier are the "founding members," which include the City of Galena, Alaska and two engineering and construction services firms-Burns and Roe and KBR, the lat-ter which is a unit of Halliburton. Another contributing member is Lapp Consulting Services LLC. The law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman also has been providing assistance to the association, Randolph said. One association participant said the group is exploring small reactor uses for research, medical, and space applications. Although Galena's involvement likely will draw further attention to Toshiba's proposed 10-MW 4S (Super Safe, Small & Simple) reactor, which city leaders have said shows promise as a cheaper generating source than the existing diesel generators that provide the community's electricity (Inside NRC, 10 Jan., 3), that project is only one of several, he said. The group does not intend to become the "4S association," he added.-Jenny Weil, Washington
