Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Friday, April 3, 2026

PG&E Settlement Sheds Light On Legal Risks And Future Grid Investment

PG&E Settlement Sheds Light On Legal Risks And Future Grid Investment

US firm advances nuclear fuel design with patent for next-gen reactors

US firm advances nuclear fuel design with patent for next-gen reactors

NRC Issues 100th Renewed License with Diablo Canyon Approvals

26-039.pdf The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission was created as an expert, technical agency to protect public health, safety, and security, and regulate the civilian use of nuclear materials, including enabling the deployment of nuclear power for the benefit of society. Among other responsibilities, the agency issues licenses, conducts inspections, initiates and enforces regulations, and plans for incident response. The NRC is collaborating with interagency partners to implement reforms outlined in new Executive Orders and the ADVANCE Act to streamline agency activities and enhance efficiency. No: 26-039 April 2, 2026 CONTACT: Office of Public Affairs, 301-415-8200 NRC Issues 100th Renewed License with Diablo Canyon Approvals ROCKVILLE, Md.—The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has renewed the operating licenses of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant for an additional 20 years, marking the 99th and 100th renewed commercial reactor operating licenses. Reaching this milestone reflects more than two decades of sustained regulatory oversight and technical rigor under the NRC’s license renewal program. Pacific Gas & Electric Co.’s Diablo Canyon Units 1 and 2 are pressurized-water reactors in Avila Beach, California. Unit 1’s operating license will now expire on Nov. 2, 2044, and Unit 2’s will expire on Aug. 26, 2045. The NRC’s review of the application for renewal of the licenses addressed safety and environmental matters. Both a safety evaluation and a final supplemental environmental impact statement were issued in June 2025. The NRC issued the renewed licenses after receiving documentation from PG&E of the required federal certifications under the Coastal Zone Management Act and the Clean Water Act. The NRC’s safety evaluation and final supplemental environmental impact statement, as well as other information regarding the Diablo Canyon license renewal application, are available on the NRC website, which also contains general information about the license renewal process.

IG cites DOE oversight ‘failures’ on NuScale nuclear project - E&E News by POLITICO

IG cites DOE oversight ‘failures’ on NuScale nuclear project - E&E News by POLITICO

What happened when they installed ChatGPT on a nuclear supercomputer | Vox

What happened when they installed ChatGPT on a nuclear supercomputer | Vox

Who’s in the running for DOE Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses? -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Who’s in the running for DOE Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses? -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Tennessee Positions Oak Ridge to Lead Nation’s Next Era of Nuclear Energy

Tennessee Positions Oak Ridge to Lead Nation’s Next Era of Nuclear Energy

Japan invests up to $40B in Tennessee and Alabama nuclear reactors

Japan invests up to $40B in Tennessee and Alabama nuclear reactors

As Nuclear Reactors Proliferate, Trump Is Scaling Back Rules That Protect Workers – Mother Jones

As Nuclear Reactors Proliferate, Trump Is Scaling Back Rules That Protect Workers – Mother Jones

Six US States Announce ‘Regional Commitment’ To Explore Deployment Of Advanced Reactors

Six US States Announce ‘Regional Commitment’ To Explore Deployment Of Advanced Reactors

Texas Opens $350M Advanced Nuclear Grants

Texas Opens $350M Advanced Nuclear Grants

'THE SOLUTION:' Inside Our Plan to 'QUADRUPLE' Nuclear Energy | RealClearEnergy

'THE SOLUTION:' Inside Our Plan to 'QUADRUPLE' Nuclear Energy | RealClearEnergy

US nuclear firm's system could design reactors in months and not years

US nuclear firm's system could design reactors in months and not years

US nuclear reactor startup seeks NRC license under new regulations

US nuclear reactor startup seeks NRC license under new regulations

Kronos Microreactor Just Cleared Its Biggest Regulatory Hurdle Yet | OilPrice.com

Kronos Microreactor Just Cleared Its Biggest Regulatory Hurdle Yet | OilPrice.com

TerraPower, Evergy leaders discuss potential KS nuclear power plant

TerraPower, Evergy leaders discuss potential KS nuclear power plant

US firm advances nuclear fuel design with new assembly patent for next-gen reactors

US firm advances nuclear fuel design with new assembly patent for next-gen reactors

The White House’s National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence: What It Means and What Comes Next | Ballard Spahr LLP - JDSupra

The White House’s National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence: What It Means and What Comes Next | Ballard Spahr LLP - JDSupra

POLITICO Pro | Article | NRC seeks new path from safety review to reactor license

POLITICO Pro | Article | NRC seeks new path from safety review to reactor license

Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant gets final go-ahead to run through 2030 - Los Angeles Times

Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant gets final go-ahead to run through 2030 - Los Angeles Times

Groups fight Diablo Canyon power plant’s Clean Water Act OK | San Luis Obispo Tribune

Groups fight Diablo Canyon power plant’s Clean Water Act OK | San Luis Obispo Tribune

Building a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain | Latitude Media

Building a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain | Latitude Media

Africa Nuclear Market Insights

Africa Nuclear Market Insights

No Power, No Data: Why Nuclear Is the Backbone of Africa's Digital Future

No Power, No Data: Why Nuclear Is the Backbone of Africa's Digital Future

Thursday, April 2, 2026

AI Successfully Accelerates Nuclear License Application Process - NAM

AI Successfully Accelerates Nuclear License Application Process - NAM

US DOE Mismanaged Landmark NuScale Nuclear Project, Says Audit

US DOE Mismanaged Landmark NuScale Nuclear Project, Says Audit

US nuclear reactor startup seeks NRC license under new regulations

US nuclear reactor startup seeks NRC license under new regulations

NANO Nuclear’s KRONOS MMR™ Microreactor Advances to Critical Milestone Toward Reactor Deployment with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Submission of a Construction Permit Application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - NANO Nuclear Energy

NANO Nuclear’s KRONOS MMR™ Microreactor Advances to Critical Milestone Toward Reactor Deployment with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Submission of a Construction Permit Application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - NANO Nuclear Energy

POLITICO Pro | Article | NRC seeks new path from safety review to reactor license

POLITICO Pro | Article | NRC seeks new path from safety review to reactor license

New NRC Nuclear Reactor Licensing Rule: Overview and Implications - AAF

New NRC Nuclear Reactor Licensing Rule: Overview and Implications - AAF

New NRC Nuclear Reactor Licensing Rule: Overview and Implications - AAF

New NRC Nuclear Reactor Licensing Rule: Overview and Implications - AAF

The DOE’s plan for AI in NRC licensing -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

The DOE’s plan for AI in NRC licensing -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

NRC seeks new path from safety review to reactor license - E&E News by POLITICO

NRC seeks new path from safety review to reactor license - E&E News by POLITICO

The Trump Administration Is Doing Something Horrifying to Workers at Nuclear Facilities

The Trump Administration Is Doing Something Horrifying to Workers at Nuclear Facilities

US nuclear firm's system could design reactors in months and not years

US nuclear firm's system could design reactors in months and not years

Poland files permit for first nuclear plant with three US reactors

Poland files permit for first nuclear plant with three US reactors

Japan has enough plutonium to make 5,500 nuclear warheads, PLA Daily says | South China Morning Post

Japan has enough plutonium to make 5,500 nuclear warheads, PLA Daily says | South China Morning Post

Inside Clean Energy - Inside Climate News

Inside Clean Energy - Inside Climate News

SAM.gov

SAM.gov

With Major Refurbishment Milestones Achieved, Palisades Advances Toward Restart, Prompting the Beginning of Preparatory Site Construction Planning by the Holtec/Hyundai Team to Build the Pioneer 1 & 2 SMR-300 Units - Holtec International

With Major Refurbishment Milestones Achieved, Palisades Advances Toward Restart, Prompting the Beginning of Preparatory Site Construction Planning by the Holtec/Hyundai Team to Build the Pioneer 1 & 2 SMR-300 Units - Holtec International

NRC unveils Part 53 final rule -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

NRC unveils Part 53 final rule -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

FluxPoint Energy Enters Race to Build First New U.S. Uranium Conversion Plant in Nearly 70 Years

FluxPoint Energy Enters Race to Build First New U.S. Uranium Conversion Plant in Nearly 70 Years

Nuclear Power Can Be Cheap | RealClearEnergy

Nuclear Power Can Be Cheap | RealClearEnergy

Grid utilization vs expansion: The 100 GW debate | Latitude Media

Grid utilization vs expansion: The 100 GW debate | Latitude Media

Palisades Nuclear Plant another step closer to restarting

Palisades Nuclear Plant another step closer to restarting

Constellation to ask regulators for help speeding up Three Mile Island nuclear power plant restart, CEO says | Reuters

Constellation to ask regulators for help speeding up Three Mile Island nuclear power plant restart, CEO says | Reuters

NASA space launch sets stage for nuclear power on the moon - E&E News by POLITICO

NASA space launch sets stage for nuclear power on the moon - E&E News by POLITICO

Texas Opens $350M Advanced Nuclear Grants

Texas Opens $350M Advanced Nuclear Grants

US nuclear firm's system could design reactors in months and not years

US nuclear firm's system could design reactors in months and not years

New England governors unite for nuclear - World Nuclear News

New England governors unite for nuclear - World Nuclear News

Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Constellation to ask regulators for help speeding up Three Mile Island nuclear power plant restart, CEO says | Reuters

Constellation to ask regulators for help speeding up Three Mile Island nuclear power plant restart, CEO says | Reuters

The race to build new nuclear reactors — fast (with AI's help)

The race to build new nuclear reactors — fast (with AI's help)

Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Path Will Not Depend on Iran or the War’s Outcome • Stimson Center

Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Path Will Not Depend on Iran or the War’s Outcome • Stimson Center

Why America Should Lead on Floating Nuclear  - The National Interest

Why America Should Lead on Floating Nuclear  - The National Interest

The Iran war is accelerating plans for Southeast Asia to go nuclear. Experts say it won’t be easy | Fortune

The Iran war is accelerating plans for Southeast Asia to go nuclear. Experts say it won’t be easy | Fortune

US firm nears approval to revive ex-coal power site as nuclear reactor

US firm nears approval to revive ex-coal power site as nuclear reactor

An Overview of the NRC's Regulatory Information Conference

An Overview of the NRC's Regulatory Information Conference

NRC unveils new licensing rule - Nuclear Engineering International

NRC unveils new licensing rule - Nuclear Engineering International

Three Supreme Court Cases to Watch for the Energy Industry | Steptoe

Three Supreme Court Cases to Watch for the Energy Industry | Steptoe

Positive progress made on nuclear Taskforce recommendations to reduce regulatory complexity - Nuclear Industry Association

Positive progress made on nuclear Taskforce recommendations to reduce regulatory complexity - Nuclear Industry Association

US firm nears approval to revive ex-coal power site as nuclear reactor

US firm nears approval to revive ex-coal power site as nuclear reactor

An Overview of the NRC's Regulatory Information Conference

An Overview of the NRC's Regulatory Information Conference

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Iran's War Has Made Nuclear Weapons More Attractive Than Ever

Iran's War Has Made Nuclear Weapons More Attractive Than Ever

From HEATMAP AM

Holtec prepares to restart Palisades reactor and begin work on building SMRs Holtec International is about to complete its transition from the nuclear industry's undertaker — a manufacturer of casks to store radioactive waste and a decommissioner of defunct power stations — to the midwife of its rebirth. The company said Monday that it’s completed one of the last major steps in its process to bring the single reactor at the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan that Holtec originally bought to decommission back online. The unit went offline in 2022, right when Holtec purchased the plant. Before significant demolition took place, the company struck a deal with the Department of Energy to finance the restoration of the facility instead. But that required significant renovations that the previous owner declined to perform. The latest step was “passivation,” a chemical process that removes surface iron and contaminants from stainless steel to keep it from corroding. To perform the process, the team at Palisades brought the reactor to its normal operating temperature and pressure for the first time since its permanent shutdown four years ago. The work restored the system’s protective surfaces following what Holtec called “extensive maintenance, inspection, and component upgrades completed over the past two years.” With that work complete, Holtec said in a press release that its system “will now be cooled and prepared for additional testing, equipment upgrades, and preparations for fuel loading.” At the same time, the company said it will now begin laying the groundwork to expand the facility with a pair of its in-house 300-megawatt small modular reactor, which I reported on for Heatmap in December. Once Holtec builds its first SMR-300s in Michigan, the company said last year it plans to build a hub in Utah to train workers on how to construct and operate more of the reactors throughout the region. But Utah Governor Spencer Cox wants more than just reactors. On Friday, the Republican held a press conference announcing the state’s bid to host one of the Department of Energy’s proposed nuclear campuses that the agency said in its request for information should “support activities across the full nuclear fuel life cycle, including fuel fabrication, enrichment, reprocessing used fuel, and disposition of waste.” The federal deadline to apply to host a campus is tomorrow.

Positive progress made on nuclear Taskforce recommendations to reduce regulatory complexity | Office for Nuclear Regulation

Positive progress made on nuclear Taskforce recommendations to reduce regulatory complexity | Office for Nuclear Regulation

Nine Mile Point 1, America’s oldest nuclear reactor, seeks to run 20 more years in Oswego County – SightLine | U308

Nine Mile Point 1, America’s oldest nuclear reactor, seeks to run 20 more years in Oswego County – SightLine | U308

Energy Department speeds up nuclear regulatory process with AI | FedScoop

Energy Department speeds up nuclear regulatory process with AI | FedScoop

DOE AI accelerates licensing - Nuclear Engineering International

DOE AI accelerates licensing - Nuclear Engineering International

Securing the Future: Building the US Nuclear Security Workforce Pipeline • Stimson Center

Securing the Future: Building the US Nuclear Security Workforce Pipeline • Stimson Center

Not so fast: AI nuclear renaissance push in US meets harsh reality | The National

Not so fast: AI nuclear renaissance push in US meets harsh reality | The National

US Air Force Begins Search For Small Reactor Manufacturers For Bases

US Air Force Begins Search For Small Reactor Manufacturers For Bases

The race to build new nuclear reactors — fast (with AI's help)

The race to build new nuclear reactors — fast (with AI's help)

'THE SOLUTION:' Inside Our Plan to 'QUADRUPLE' Nuclear Energy | RealClearEnergy

'THE SOLUTION:' Inside Our Plan to 'QUADRUPLE' Nuclear Energy | RealClearEnergy

North Korea Unveils New Capability For US-Range Missile - American Liberty News

North Korea Unveils New Capability For US-Range Missile - American Liberty News

As a nuclear expert, here’s what Trump is getting wrong about Iran’s uranium stockpile | The Independent

As a nuclear expert, here’s what Trump is getting wrong about Iran’s uranium stockpile | The Independent

Trump's War in Iran May Usher in New Age of Nuclear Weapons Proliferation - Bloomberg

Trump's War in Iran May Usher in New Age of Nuclear Weapons Proliferation - Bloomberg

Monday, March 30, 2026

U.S. Air Force opens power reactor RFI -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

U.S. Air Force opens power reactor RFI -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Cracking the U.S. taboo around Israel’s nuclear bombs – Globalities

Cracking the U.S. taboo around Israel’s nuclear bombs – Globalities

California should extend Diablo Canyon nuclear plant’s lifespan

California should extend Diablo Canyon nuclear plant’s lifespan

Theodore Postol: Iran Already Has Nuclear Deterrent to Israeli Nuclear Strike

Theodore Postol: Iran Already Has Nuclear Deterrent to Israeli Nuclear Strike

AI boom catapults batteries into the mainstream

AI boom catapults batteries into the mainstream

Nucleareurope releases action plan to stimulate EU nuclear investments - World Nuclear News

Nucleareurope releases action plan to stimulate EU nuclear investments - World Nuclear News

Southeast Asia looks to nuclear power for AI data centers | AP News

Southeast Asia looks to nuclear power for AI data centers | AP News

Big Tech’s AI fantasy hits a nuclear wall: No fuel, no welders — and no plan B

Big Tech’s AI fantasy hits a nuclear wall: No fuel, no welders — and no plan B

Nuclear Supply Chain Ramps Up to Meet Global Projections

Nuclear Supply Chain Ramps Up to Meet Global Projections

Air Force Seeks Suppliers for Its Nuclear Micro-Reactor Goals

Air Force Seeks Suppliers for Its Nuclear Micro-Reactor Goals

IDF strikes Arak heavy water plant as it seeks to end Iran nuclear threat | Fox News

IDF strikes Arak heavy water plant as it seeks to end Iran nuclear threat | Fox News

Serbia Study Lays Out Roadmap To First Nuclear Plant By 2040

Serbia Study Lays Out Roadmap To First Nuclear Plant By 2040

Rosatom says situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant keeps deteriorating | Reuters

Rosatom says situation at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant keeps deteriorating | Reuters

Coal is back and nuclear is next: The Iran war is rewiring Asia’s energy future | Fortune

Coal is back and nuclear is next: The Iran war is rewiring Asia’s energy future | Fortune

Wyoming Poised To Be A Nuclear Leader As Industry Reaches U.S. Tipping Point | Cowboy State Daily

Wyoming Poised To Be A Nuclear Leader As Industry Reaches U.S. Tipping Point | Cowboy State Daily

Department of Energy Unleashes AI to Reduce Reactor Licensing Timelines | Department of Energy

Department of Energy Unleashes AI to Reduce Reactor Licensing Timelines | Department of Energy

America Needs Nuclear Power Fast. South Korea Can Deliver. - The National Interest

America Needs Nuclear Power Fast. South Korea Can Deliver. - The National Interest

Can Florida Revolutionize the Nuclear Energy Sector? - The National Interest

Can Florida Revolutionize the Nuclear Energy Sector? - The National Interest

Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Path Will Not Depend on Iran or the War’s Outcome • Stimson Center

Saudi Arabia’s Nuclear Path Will Not Depend on Iran or the War’s Outcome • Stimson Center

Artificial Intelligence Needs Nuclear Power – And Allied Cooperation - The National Interest

Artificial Intelligence Needs Nuclear Power – And Allied Cooperation - The National Interest

New Hampshire to assess deployment of advanced reactors - World Nuclear News

New Hampshire to assess deployment of advanced reactors - World Nuclear News

$1.76B uranium re-enrichment project slated next door to previously announced Paducah enrichment operation - Lane Report | Kentucky Business & Economic News

$1.76B uranium re-enrichment project slated next door to previously announced Paducah enrichment operation - Lane Report | Kentucky Business & Economic News

First nuclear reactor built on DOE land in 50 years unveiled at Idaho National Lab - East Idaho News

First nuclear reactor built on DOE land in 50 years unveiled at Idaho National Lab - East Idaho News

Tiny Nuclear Reactors Can Save Big American Energy

Tiny Nuclear Reactors Can Save Big American Energy

Tennessee wants to bury the nation’s nuclear trash. Here’s what to know | WPLN News

Tennessee wants to bury the nation’s nuclear trash. Here’s what to know | WPLN News

Companies seek state approval for 765kV transmission line across Central Texas

Companies seek state approval for 765kV transmission line across Central Texas

Chernobyl Fungus Seems to Have Evolved an Incredible Ability : ScienceAlert

Chernobyl Fungus Seems to Have Evolved an Incredible Ability : ScienceAlert

Fermi at work on nuclear power plant approval at Amarillo - Oklahoma Energy Today

Fermi at work on nuclear power plant approval at Amarillo - Oklahoma Energy Today

Cracking the U.S. taboo around Israel's nuclear bombs

Cracking the U.S. taboo around Israel's nuclear bombs

Israel's nuclear bomb is the threat that dare not speak its name - Asia Times

Israel's nuclear bomb is the threat that dare not speak its name - Asia Times

Iran War: Tehran Restores Power After Missile Strikes - Bloomberg

Iran War: Tehran Restores Power After Missile Strikes - Bloomberg

US, Israel Hit Iran Nuclear Sites as Houthis Threaten Neighbors - Bloomberg

US, Israel Hit Iran Nuclear Sites as Houthis Threaten Neighbors - Bloomberg

Europe Nuclear Deterrent: France’s Atomic Weapons Arsenal and NATO’s Future - Bloomberg

Europe Nuclear Deterrent: France’s Atomic Weapons Arsenal and NATO’s Future - Bloomberg

Trump's War in Iran May Usher in New Age of Nuclear Weapons Proliferation - Bloomberg

Trump's War in Iran May Usher in New Age of Nuclear Weapons Proliferation - Bloomberg

Finland to Lift Nuclear Weapons Restrictions in Major Shift - Bloomberg

Finland to Lift Nuclear Weapons Restrictions in Major Shift - Bloomberg

Saturday, March 28, 2026

AI and Nuclear Proliferation - CounterPunch.org

AI and Nuclear Proliferation - CounterPunch.org

Enviro group challenges California nuclear power plant water permit - E&E News by POLITICO

Enviro group challenges California nuclear power plant water permit - E&E News by POLITICO

Using AI to Reduce Reactor Licensing Timelines | Neutron Bytes

Using AI to Reduce Reactor Licensing Timelines | Neutron Bytes

DOE Tests AI to Speed Nuclear Reactor Licensing

DOE Tests AI to Speed Nuclear Reactor Licensing

Trump's Nuclear Fusion Investments Raise Serious Ethical Concerns - Diablo Today

Trump's Nuclear Fusion Investments Raise Serious Ethical Concerns - Diablo Today

Utah will seek federal nuclear campus, governor announces

Utah will seek federal nuclear campus, governor announces

Fermi America plans massive AI complex powered by nuclear in Amarillo - Amarillo Today

Fermi America plans massive AI complex powered by nuclear in Amarillo - Amarillo Today

U.S. To Revamp Nuclear Reactor Licensing In First Overhaul Since 1956

U.S. To Revamp Nuclear Reactor Licensing In First Overhaul Since 1956

NRC issues new final rule setting licensing regs for advanced nuclear reactors - Daily Energy Insider

NRC issues new final rule setting licensing regs for advanced nuclear reactors - Daily Energy Insider

Countries deploying growing number of nuclear weapons, international monitors warn

Countries deploying growing number of nuclear weapons, international monitors warn

Oops, we have wrecked another country | Middle East Eye

Oops, we have wrecked another country | Middle East Eye

Netanyahu's War | Armstrong Economics

Netanyahu's War | Armstrong Economics