Energy Department names nuclear scientists to lead research

Two nuclear scientists have been named to lead a research center at an eastern Idaho nuclear laboratory as part of an effort by the U.S. to revamp and increase the use of nuclear power.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced Thursday Ashley Finan is the director and Nicholas Smith deputy director of the National Reactor Innovation Center.

The recently created center is based at the Energy Department’s Idaho National Laboratory about 50 miles east of Idaho Falls.

The center is intended to help private sector companies test and develop new nuclear energy technologies.

Revamping the nation’s nuclear power is part of a strategy to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by generating carbon-free electricity with nuclear power initiated under the Obama administration and continuing under the Trump administration.

AP Only 2019