La Crosse, WI— Dairyland Power Cooperative and Applied Atomics, Inc., announce the signing of a
Letter of Intent (LOI) to evaluate the potential deployment of Applied Atomics’ small modular
reactor (SMR) nuclear technology at Dairyland’s Genoa (Wis.) Site.
Under the LOI, the two parties will work together to explore Applied Atomics’ SMR technology in
support of Dairyland’s evaluation of safe, reliable, cost-competitive and low-carbon energy
resources. Applied Atomics’ fleet deployment strategy for multi-unit nuclear installations leads with
a focus on scalable and carbon-free energy solutions, which help meet increasing demand in the
region for dispatchable, low-carbon power generation.
The collaboration will analyze the feasibility of locating one or more Applied Atomic SMRs at
Dairyland’s existing Genoa Site in southwest Wisconsin. Dairyland will explore securing the resulting
carbon-free power through a power purchase agreement from Applied Atomics.
“Dairyland continues to evaluate emerging technologies that could support a reliable, resilient and
lower-carbon energy future for our members and the region,” Brent Ridge, Dairyland president and
CEO said. “This agreement allows us to take a closer look at Applied Atomics’ technology and its
potential to better understand how it may complement our evolving generation portfolio.”
Applied Atomics’ scalable SMR power plants are ideally sized to meet the growing needs for firm,
affordable power across Dairyland’s member cooperatives. Incorporating mature, light-water
reactor technology, Applied Atomics’ power plants are reliable, passively-safe and supported
by a best-in-class U.S. manufacturing partner. Designed for deployment from the outset, Applied
Atomics projects minimize exotic fuels and materials, maximizing its ability to work with local trades
and support high-paying jobs from groundbreaking through each plant’s 60+ year operating life.
“We’re excited to further evaluate the Genoa site and a long-term partnership with Dairyland and
the surrounding communities. The site’s power generating history, existing transmission
infrastructure and Dairyland’s growing energy needs combine to make this one of the top
opportunities to deploy clean, affordable nuclear power by the early 2030s,” CEO of Applied
Atomics Ben Kellie said.
Applied Atomics has the exclusive land-based license to use mPower, a pressurized light water
reactor designed and manufactured by BWXT. BWXT is actively enabling Applied Atomics’ renewed
push to commercialize the mPower SMR, providing technical expertise, preserved test
infrastructure and deep manufacturing capability built over decades of nuclear engineering
leadership.
“BWXT engineered mPower with utilities squarely in mind: a proven light water design, integrated
safety features and a manufacturing approach that supports predictable, cost competitive
deployment,” Kate Kelly, president, BWXT Advanced Technologies said. “For utilities like Dairyland
evaluating future reliable, carbon free resources, mPower offers the kind of engineering certainty
essential for long term planning.”
Dairyland’s Genoa Site previously hosted a now-decommissioned 50 megawatt (MW) nuclear
power plant as well as a 345 MW coal plant, which was retired in 2021. An Independent Spent Fuel
Storage Installation (ISFSI), licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, is currently located
at the site.
About Dairyland Power Cooperative: Founded in 1941, Dairyland provides the wholesale electrical
requirements and other services for 24 Class A member distribution cooperatives, 2 Class B
members and 27 municipal utilities in the Upper Midwest. In turn, these cooperatives and
municipals meet the energy needs of over 800,000 people. Dairyland delivers electricity over
3,700 miles of transmission lines and 400 distribution substations located throughout the system’s
44,500 square mile service area.
About Applied Atomics: Applied Atomics builds and operates nuclear power plants for the grid and
industrial customers that depend on firm, carbon-free power. Each plant uses light water reactors;
the same technology used in the plants that have supplied American baseload electricity for
decades. BWX Technologies (NYSE: BWXT) designed the mPower light water reactor and has
licensed it exclusively to Applied Atomics for land-based deployment. Units are modular and each
unit produces 100 MWe. Applied Atomics carries each plant from design and licensing through
construction and multi-decade operation. Learn more at AppliedAtomics.com.
