Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1959-02-17
Funds Sought
Toad Industry
On Reactors
NucIeur Power
Program Pushed
By Administration

Dy AuWiHiStIuIiOH
The administration is ex-
pected to propose today that
the Government provide some
financing for private industry
to build prototype reactors for
nuclear power development.
Previously prototype reactors
were regarded by the Eisen-
hover administration as the
sole province Of private indus
try.
The move is regarded as q
significant administration step
to. meet Democratic demands
for greater Government aid to
stimulate the growth Of the
nuclear-power industry in the
United States.
John A. McCone, chairman
Of the Atomic Energy Commits
sion, was scheduled to an
nounce the new administration
policy this afternoon when he
testif1es before the Joint Con-
gressional Committee on Atomic
Energy.
Previous Aid Limited
Government assistance pre-
viously has been provided pri-
vate industry only in the re-
search and development phase
and in providing waivers for
fuel-uSe charges.
Now, however, the commits
sion hopes to pump new life
into the nuclear-power program
with a program for Joint partic-
ipation in development of pro-
totype plants:
The aim Of the Republican
administration is to avoid a
complete takeover Of the pro-
totype stage in nuclear power
development by the Govern
ment. as proposed by some
Democratic leaders.
The administration position
remains that industry s1lol
be the sole source of capital for
development of competitive.
commercial nuclear power.
Seek Preferred Locations
BY having industry partici-
pate in the middle-prototype
phase Of nuclear-power devel-I
opment, the Acc hopes the
prototype plants will be cone
structed in locations where
they can be integrated into the
American power grid system,
The Acc proposes to pre-
scribe the types Of feactofs the
Government win help finance
and then invite bids from pri-
yate industry for a Joint pro-
gram Of construction.
If no suitable bids are OBJ
tanned from private industry,
the Acc is now understood to
be prepared to undertake con-
struction Of the reactors at Gov
eminent expense on an Acc
site.
Chairman McCone believes
the new three-phaSe program
will provide the most rapid,
feasible development of eco
nomic nuclear reactors for the
civilian population.
Investments Doubled
In his report to Congress to-
day, Mr.. McCone is expected to
report that total private expen-
ditures on nuclear power plants
will more than double this fiscal
year, from $50 million the year
before to $40 million.
The two Government agen-
cies investing in reactor work,
the Acc and the Defense De-
partment, are expected to obi
gate about $50 million this
fiscal year, so per cent for mill
tary reactors, 40 per cent for
civilian reactors.
/ Development of the inter-
national market for nuclear-
power reactors is also progress
ing. Export of the first power
reactor for Europe, an 1880
kilowatt plant for Belgium, was
licensed during 1858.
Contracts also were awarded
American firms for building
two other power reactors, a
IS, 0-kilowatt demonstration
plant for West Germany, to be
built in collaboration with a
German affiliate, and a $780,
000-kilowatt reactor for Italy.