Nuclear

Feds deal blow to dream of data centers connected to nuclear plants

Amazon and Talen Energy can’t fast-track expansion of a data center connected to a Pennsylvania nuclear plant. Will other nuclear “colocation” deals fall through?

By Jeff St. John . 6 November 2024

The cooling towers of the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, majority-owned by Talen Energy. (Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program)

Clean energy

Is the biggest US public utility finally catching up on clean energy?

Tennessee Valley Authority is buying massive amounts of renewables. But critics say it's still relying too much on fossil fuels to serve its 10 million customers.

By Julian Spector . 26 July 2023
Nuclear

The US may soon get its first new source of nuclear fuel in 70 years

Next-gen nuclear plants could be critical to the energy transition, but first, they’ll need fuel. Centrus has overcome a key regulatory barrier to meeting that need.

By Eric Wesoff . 12 July 2023
Podcast

Live: Is advanced nuclear ready for liftoff?

This week, we explore what it will take to build a lasting advanced nuclear industry in America.

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By Stephen Lacey . 65 min . 17 May 2023
Nuclear

Avalanche raises $40M to pursue vision of tiny nuclear fusion reactor

The startup is spurning room-sized reactors in favor of a small, modular design. But it’s unclear when or if fusion technology — large or small — will pan out.

By Eric Wesoff . 27 April 2023
Nuclear

Georgia's big new nuclear reactors could be the last built in the US

Billions over budget and years behind schedule, the expansion of the Vogtle nuclear power plant signals that conventional nuclear projects are a dying breed.

By Eric Wesoff . 13 March 2023
Nuclear

Will the feds approve any of the new small modular nuclear reactors?

Startups like Nano Nuclear and others are developing promising new designs. But the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has a 48-year streak of saying no.

By Eric Wesoff . 3 March 2023
Podcast

Strong opinions on small modular reactors

New nuclear construction in the U.S. is facing challenges. Shayle talks to one nuclear tech CEO about what we can do about it.

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By Shayle Kann . 47 min . 16 February 2023
Nuclear

Small modular nuclear reactors: The race is on to actually build them

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy just signed a landmark contract to construct a small reactor. NuScale and Holtec also aim to deploy small light-water reactors by 2030.

By Eric Wesoff . 3 February 2023
Nuclear

A small modular nuclear reactor just got US approval — a big milestone

Modular reactor pioneer NuScale finally got one of its designs certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, but the company is still years away from a deployment.

By Eric Wesoff . 23 January 2023
Nuclear

How did the US nuclear industry fare in 2022?

Nuclear plants big and small are getting support from the feds. Still, problems persist — TerraPower can't source fuel, Oklo and NuScale are tangled in red tape, and more.

By Eric Wesoff . 28 December 2022