BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The U.S. Department of Energy has selected the Idaho National Laboratory to play a key role in a new initiative intended to lead to the building of new or advanced nuclear reactor designs for the commercial market.

Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy John Kotek made the announcement Friday at the White House Summit on Nuclear Energy. Kotek says the Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear, called GAIN, will offer innovators and entrepreneurs in private industry through the Idaho National Laboratory a single point of access to federal experts and facilities.

Idaho National Laboratory Director Mark Peters took part in the announcement and says the program creates what he calls an ecosystem that national labs are excited to support.

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