Oregon Public Broadcasting

For decades nuclear power research at universities has languished with little funding.

Nuclear power went out of favor after incidents like Three Mile Island. But the federal government said recently it will infuse $44 million into nuclear research over the next three years.

Universities in Idaho will receive about $6 million for work on 11 projects.

Boise State University researcher Rick Ubic says the federal grants will help develop the next generation of nuclear power plants.

Rick Ubic : “Current interest is beginning to pick up again because it’s considered a carbon neutral, green source of energy. So this very much seems like new blood. This is a very welcome infusion of interest and cash for the field.”

Ubick’s $785,000 study will look at how graphite degrades in reactors. Other studies at Idaho universities will focus on developing better reactor fuel, reducing nuclear waste and recovering radioactive material from that waste.