The US has announced it is making $175m (€152m) available to boost rural nuclear power and strengthen the reliability of the country’s electric power transmission.

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) under-secretary for rural development Glen Smith said the funding was from the new affordable rural cooperative program (Arc), which provides loans and grants to electric cooperatives for nuclear energy and transmission efficiency projects serving rural areas. The program strengthens the resiliency, reliability and affordability of rural electric systems.

“The directive from president Trump is clear: we must invest in stronger, broader, more reliable power to keep America at the forefront of growth and progress,” said Smith.