Federal grant to help in nuclear welders' training

WorkNet Pinellas has won a $1-million federal grant to train welders to staff Florida's "nuclear renaissance." Elaine Chao, U.S. secretary of Labor, awarded the "CLEAN Energy" grant Tuesday during a visit to the Pinellas Technical Education Center in St. Petersburg.

"CLEAN" stands for certification, licensing and education of apprentices for the nuclear energy industry.

The industry hasn't broken ground on a new nuclear plant in about three decades. Many of the industry's workers are now nearing retirement, leaving a dearth of workers to build and staff the more than 30 new reactors planned nationwide.

Progress Energy plans to build two reactors north of Crystal River in Levy County, and Florida Power & Light plans to build two reactors at its St. Lucie power station near Miami.