House utilities committee hears experts on small modular and microreactor roles in Missouri’s power mix

The Missouri House Utilities Committee convened an informational briefing with academic and industry experts to discuss new nuclear technologies and how the state might support deployment.

Dr. Joseph Newkirk, founding chair of the nuclear engineering and radiation science department at Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T), and Doug True, chief nuclear officer and senior vice president for generation and supplies at the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), described a fast-moving national shift toward smaller, factory-built reactors and outlined challenges that would affect Missouri.

"It's a very interesting time right now where things are changing at such a rapid rate," Dr. Newkirk told the committee, noting that small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors can be sited closer to users than traditional, water‑cooled gigawatt plants. He described those technologies as offering greater energy density and the potential to pair with local generation and storage to create so-called smart-city energy systems.

NEI's Doug True framed the shift in part as a response to new and expanding electricity needs. "The amount of energy it…