WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $9,184,229 federal investment to facilitate an advanced nuclear technology project at Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station (Oak Harbor, OH) under the Advanced Reactor Development Pathway Program.

The proposed project will install an electrolysis unit at Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station to demonstrate an innovative hybrid energy system.

The project will create a pilot program allowing for hydrogen to be produced at the plant. Hydrogen production represents the potential for a new energy alternative that could help keep America’s aging nuclear power plants competitive for years to come. The United States produces over 10 million tons of hydrogen, nearly one-seventh of the global supply, primarily for oil refining and fertilizer production. Hydrogen infrastructure includes over 1,600 miles of hydrogen pipeline and a growing network of stations across the region. Davis-Besse is the largest employer in Ottawa County.

The project, designated as the “LWR Integrated Energy Systems Interface Technology Development & Demonstration,” will be cost-shared between federal agencies, industry-led teams, and public and private laboratories. DOE will invest $9,184,229 while non-DOE partners will invest $2,299,391, for a total $11,483,620. Under this proposal, FirstEnergy Solutions Corporation (Akron, OH) will develop a light water reactor (LWR) hybrid energy system for installation at Davis-Besse. This project was competitively awarded as part of a recent Advanced Nuclear Technology Department of Energy projects.

“This funding will play an important role in improving Davis-Besse’s capacity to produce useable energy in a way that is more economically sustainable, has more industrial uses, and makes Davis-Besse economically competitive for the long-term,” said Rep. Kaptur. “New energy production that meets the needs of a changing economy and advances science at the highest levels holds the potential to attract new jobs and retain hundreds of highly skilled jobs at Ottawa County’s largest employer for years to come.”