Haley: SC will fight for federal nuclear award

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Gov. Nikki Haley says South Carolina will fight for federal grants that could make the state a hub for the next-generation nuclear technology.

The Republican governor and Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin stood with leaders of the nuclear industry Tuesday to advocate South Carolina as the ideal place for designing and building small modular reactors.

New Jersey-based Holtec International has applied for one of two, $225 million grants to be awarded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Holtec CEO Kris Singh says he wants to build the first 160-megawatt underground reactor on five acres at the Savannah River Site near Aiken. He says it could become the showcase for a factory employing 5,000 people.

Singh says he envisions South Carolina making the compact reactors and shipping them worldwide from Charleston.