Civil Nuclear Credit Program

The Grid Deployment Office's Civil Nuclear Credit Program is a $6 billion strategic investment through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to help preserve the existing U.S. reactor fleet and save thousands of high-paying jobs across the country. 

Under the new program, owners or operators of commercial U.S. reactors can apply for certification to bid on credits to support their continued operations. An application must demonstrate the reactor is projected to close for economic reasons and that closure will lead to a rise in air pollutants.

Credits will be allocated to selected certified reactors over a four-year period beginning on the date of the selection and credits can be awarded through September 30, 2031, if funds remain available. 

Why Do We Need the Civil Nuclear Credit Program?

Shifting energy markets and other economic factors have already led to early closures of 13 commercial nuclear power reactors across the United States in the last decade. More economically at-risk facilities could retire in the coming years. Closing nuclear power plants results in an increase in air pollutants because other types of power plants with higher air pollutants typically fill the void left by nuclear facilities.

Award Cycle 1

On January 17, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the signing of the credit award and payment agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company to finalize terms for $1.1 billion in credit payments via the Civil Nuclear Credit (CNC) Program for the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, located near Avila Beach, California. Units 1 and 2 at the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, which provides 9% of the total California power generation, were scheduled to cease commercial operations in 2024 and 2025, but the agreement announced today supports a path forward for Diablo Canyon to continue operating. For more information, resources, and documentation, visit the Civil Nuclear Credit Award Cycle 1 page.

Award Cycle 2

On March 2, 2023, DOE released application guidance for Award Cycle 2 of the CNC Program. While Award Cycle 1 limited eligibility to owners or operators of nuclear power reactors that had announced intentions to retire within the four-year award period, Award Cycle 2 was open to owners or operators of nuclear reactors that are at risk of closure by the end of the four-year award period, including such reactors that ceased operations after November 15, 2021. Applications for Award Cycle 2 closed on May 31, 2023. For more information, resources, and documentation, visit the Civil Nuclear Credit Award Cycle 2 page.

Award Cycle 3

On September 27, 2024, the Grid Deployment Office (GDO) released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input and Letters of Interest (LOI) from potential applicants for the CNC Program. The intent of the RFI is to gauge interest from the nuclear industry for a third award cycle. Subject to availability of funds, DOE expects to issue up to $980 million in credits.

Responses to the RFI, including LOIs, should be sent by email to CNC_Program_Mailbox@hq.doe.gov no later than October 28, 2024. An organization’s email submission of an LOI is a non-binding expression of interest and is not a commitment to application nor an application requirement. LOIs, as well as the names of submitting organizations, will be kept strictly confidential. 

For more information, resources, and documentation, visit the Civil Nuclear Credit Award Cycle 3 page.