The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing announced on Apr. 9 a conditional commitment for a loan of up to $263 million to SHINE Chrysalis, LLC, supporting the construction of a high-volume medical isotope production facility in Janesville, Wisconsin. The new plant will use fusion and fission technology to produce molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which is essential for diagnostic imaging and cancer treatments.
This development addresses the need for a reliable domestic supply of Mo-99, as most current supplies are imported from overseas with limited capacity to meet demand. The decay product technetium-99m is used in more than 40,000 medical procedures daily across the United States.
Gregory A. Beard, Director of EDF, said: “The SHINE Chrysalis project is vital to improving the nuclear supply chain and contributing to a strong next-generation nuclear workforce while onshoring this critical production and improving national security.” Beard added that using EDF’s loan authority aligns with policies aimed at ensuring a secure domestic supply chain while lowering costs.
Dr. Matthew Napoli, Deputy Administrator for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation at NNSA, said: “SHINE is the key to ending reliance on imports of foreign-produced Mo-99 and ensuring U.S. patients have reliable access to American-made medical isotopes. NNSA’s leadership made this concept a reality… The EDF conditional loan will get this project across the finish line, and SHINE’s market entry will be a major win for American nuclear medicine, fusion technology, and nuclear nonproliferation leadership.”
SHINE has developed its technology over 16 years with support from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and contributions from National Laboratories.
EDF said it remains committed to financing projects that contribute meaningfully to energy security and grid reliability in America while empowering private sector investment.
In related efforts by DOE: On July 21, 2022, DOE announced plans under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for $225 million in funding toward building energy code implementation according to an official announcement. Also on July 21 that year, Secretary Jennifer Granholm encouraged international collaboration at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum in an official video message. Earlier that month William White from DOE highlighted national laboratory roles in cleanup missions before Congress as reported by DOE.
Additionally, DOE’s Office of Environmental Management has applied innovative processes like using crushed marble at Savannah River Site’s D Area power plant according to agency reports. On July 21, 2022 DOE also announced $96 million toward clean vehicle technologies including expanded charging infrastructure according to department releases. On July 25 that year DOE identified over 140 programs supporting President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative aiming for federal investments benefiting disadvantaged communities as detailed by the department.
DOE stated that finalization of funding depends on satisfying technical, legal, environmental and financial conditions before entering into definitive agreements.
