by Tyler Arnold
The Department of Energy has announced an investment of just under $9.2 million into Ohio’s Davis-Besse power plant, which was prevented from going into bankruptcy thanks to a state government bailout.
The investment will fund a nuclear technology project that will install an electrolysis unit at the plant to create a hybrid energy system, according to a news release from U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio.
“This funding will play an important role in improving Davis-Besse’s capacity to produce [usable] energy in a way that is more economically sustainable, has more industrial uses, and makes Davis-Besse economically competitive for the long-term,” Kaptur said. “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.”
The project is intended to establish a pilot program that will keep nuclear energy competitive by producing hydrogen, which could be used as an energy source. Other partners will invest about $2.3 million into the project.
The Davis-Besse plant is one of two Ohio nuclear power plants that was saved from closing down through a bailout from the state government. Currently, a coalition group is seeking overturn these subsidies via a ballot initiative in the 2020 elections, but the legality of this initiative is being challenged in court.
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Tyler Arnold reports on Virginia and Ohio for The Center Square. He previously worked for the Cause of Action Institute and has been published in Business Insider, USA TODAY College, National Review Online and the Washington Free Beacon.
