Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

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

Friday, January 10, 2025

NRC Lawsuit Could Change Small Reactor Regulation | Independent Women's Forum

NRC Lawsuit Could Change Small Reactor Regulation | Independent Women's Forum

Plans to expand the grid are finally underway. Will… | Canary Media

Plans to expand the grid are finally underway. Will… | Canary Media

S. Korea, US formally ink MOU on principles concerning nuclear exports, cooperation - The Korea Herald

S. Korea, US formally ink MOU on principles concerning nuclear exports, cooperation - The Korea Herald

Clean Energy: Two New 'Microreactor' Designs Could Be Game Changers – RedState

Clean Energy: Two New 'Microreactor' Designs Could Be Game Changers – RedState

Constellation’s $16.4B purchase of Calpine would create largest US power generator | Utility Dive

Constellation’s $16.4B purchase of Calpine would create largest US power generator | Utility Dive

Two Nuclear Microreactors Reach Milestone - IEEE Spectrum

Two Nuclear Microreactors Reach Milestone - IEEE Spectrum

Better Nuclear Stock: Uranium Energy vs. NuScale Power

Better Nuclear Stock: Uranium Energy vs. NuScale Power

Chart: Who’s Building Nuclear Reactors? | Statista

Chart: Who’s Building Nuclear Reactors? | Statista

Westinghouse To Continue Development Of Space Microreactor For Nasa

Westinghouse To Continue Development Of Space Microreactor For Nasa

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

Daily on Energy: L.A. wildfires, shipping industry support for a carbon tax, and nuclear microreactors get noticed

Daily on Energy: L.A. wildfires, shipping industry support for a carbon tax, and nuclear microreactors get noticed https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/e-mail-daily-on-energy/?env=805cbe2ee72715c18638028212b1231b9200d9aa1f81ac4115cbb8f305728c5d&rid=24919191 ELECTRIC BATTERIES MAY HAVE COMPETITION…FROM NUCLEAR: The nuclear power industry is looking to go head-to-head with companies producing electric batteries in the race to replace diesel and natural gas generators with clean alternatives. The details: A number of nuclear energy companies are now detailing plans to develop microreactors to power data centers, small communities, offshore drilling operations, remote mining operators, and more, according to a Financial Times report. One company, Westinghouse, is working on building a transportable microreactor roughly the size of a shipping container that can run on its own for years before needing more fuel. Typically, these miniature reactors generate up to 20 megawatts. While this can be enough to power around 20,000 homes, it is dramatically lower than even small modular reactors that generate around 300 megawatts. As the mining industry, offshore and onshore drilling, as well as isolated communities often rely on diesel and gas generators for power, nuclear power may offer a solution for those looking to lower emissions. “Initially, the idea was there are parts of the economy that are very difficult to decarbonise, especially remote communities that depend on transportable diesel, which is very expensive,” Jon Ball, who leads Westinghouse’s eVinci microreactor program, told the Financial Times. “But the level of interest has really expanded and we believe this is going to be a significant growth area.” Possible timelines: Like anything in the nuclear industry, it is expected to take several years before these microreactors can be put on the market or be in use. Westinghouse is expected to start a test program for their eVinci microreactor in 2027 at the Idaho National Laboratory. The company has also entered an agreement with UK-based Core Power, which is reportedly looking to build nuclear power plants at sea. The company told the Financial Times that it is on track to receive an operating license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by 2029. Other possible producers, including Nano Nuclear Energy, are reportedly seeking to bring their own microreactors to the market by 2031.

Climate change is showing its claws: The world is getting hotter, resulting in severe hurricanes, thunderstorms and floods | Munich Re

Climate change is showing its claws: The world is getting hotter, resulting in severe hurricanes, thunderstorms and floods | Munich Re

Eight Indiana coal sites offer 'intriguing opportunities' for nuclear plants, per new Purdue study • Indiana Capital Chronicle

Eight Indiana coal sites offer 'intriguing opportunities' for nuclear plants, per new Purdue study • Indiana Capital Chronicle

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

The Nuclear Engineer Who Introduced Himself as a Peanut Farmer

The Nuclear Engineer Who Introduced Himself as a Peanut Farmer

Richland joins competition for $3B nuclear fuel facility | Tri-City Herald

Richland joins competition for $3B nuclear fuel facility | Tri-City Herald

PJM ‘shovel-ready’ interconnection plan draws mixed reviews at FERC | Utility Dive

PJM ‘shovel-ready’ interconnection plan draws mixed reviews at FERC | Utility Dive

Caught in a Climate Bind, New York State Is Reconsidering Nuclear Power - Inside Climate News

Caught in a Climate Bind, New York State Is Reconsidering Nuclear Power - Inside Climate News

Enron Is Back. Could This Possibly Be Real? - The New York Times

Enron Is Back. Could This Possibly Be Real? - The New York Times

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

These Microreactors Could Bring Nuclear Power to Remote Areas - IEEE Spectrum

Constellation agrees to buy Calpine for $26.6 billion

Constellation agrees to buy Calpine for $26.6 billion

Reboot: Nuclear needs a success . . . anywhere -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Reboot: Nuclear needs a success . . . anywhere -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Thursday, January 9, 2025

US Government Agrees To 10-Year Nuclear Power Plan - CleanTechnica

US Government Agrees To 10-Year Nuclear Power Plan - CleanTechnica

Nuclear Energy Investment: Charting the $300 Billion Spend

Nuclear Energy Investment: Charting the $300 Billion Spend

Constellation's $30 Billion Calpine Talks Are Fueled by AI — and Gas - Bloomberg

Constellation's $30 Billion Calpine Talks Are Fueled by AI — and Gas - Bloomberg

Deep Fission's reactors buried 1-mile-underground to supply power

Deep Fission's reactors buried 1-mile-underground to supply power

Trump Demands Defense Spending 5 Percent of Europe GDP, No Chance of That – MishTalk

Trump Demands Defense Spending 5 Percent of Europe GDP, No Chance of That – MishTalk

U.S. electricity rates rise about 5% annually – outpacing inflation – pv magazine USA

U.S. electricity rates rise about 5% annually – outpacing inflation – pv magazine USA

Nuclear has changed. Will the U.S. change with it? — Harvard Gazette

Nuclear has changed. Will the U.S. change with it? — Harvard Gazette

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

Getting Russia Right  - The American Conservative

Getting Russia Right  - The American Conservative

Nuclear Energy Supply Forecast by Region - Visual Capitalist

Nuclear Energy Supply Forecast by Region - Visual Capitalist

What Will Power the A.I. Revolution? - The New York Times

What Will Power the A.I. Revolution? - The New York Times

US missile shield buckling under China, Russia, and North Korea - Asia Times

US missile shield buckling under China, Russia, and North Korea - Asia Times

9 US electric power sector issues to watch in 2025 | Utility Dive

9 US electric power sector issues to watch in 2025 | Utility Dive

US to study proliferation risk of HALEU nuclear fuel, after warning by scientists | Reuters

US to study proliferation risk of HALEU nuclear fuel, after warning by scientists | Reuters

Caught in a Climate Bind, New York State Is Reconsidering Nuclear Power - Inside Climate News

Caught in a Climate Bind, New York State Is Reconsidering Nuclear Power - Inside Climate News

Biden expands wind and solar tax credit to nuclear, hydropower, geothermal energy

Biden expands wind and solar tax credit to nuclear, hydropower, geothermal energy

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $13 Million to Support Advanced Nuclear Reactor Licensing Activities | Department of Energy

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $13 Million to Support Advanced Nuclear Reactor Licensing Activities | Department of Energy

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues ‘More Efficient’ Reactor Approvals

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

Nuclear has changed. Will the U.S. change with it? — Harvard Gazette

Nuclear has changed. Will the U.S. change with it? — Harvard Gazette

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Nuclear Deregulation - Marginal REVOLUTION

Nuclear Deregulation - Marginal REVOLUTION

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues 'More Efficient' Reactor Approvals | Financial Post

US Nuclear Regulator Pursues 'More Efficient' Reactor Approvals | Financial Post

Nuclear startup Deep Fission plans to bury micro-reactors to power data centers | TechCrunch

Nuclear startup Deep Fission plans to bury micro-reactors to power data centers | TechCrunch

Is U.S. Nuclear Power at Risk? Russia's Uranium Restrictions Explained | OilPrice.com

Is U.S. Nuclear Power at Risk? Russia's Uranium Restrictions Explained | OilPrice.com

US to end restrictions on Indian nuclear entities to boost energy ties, Sullivan says | Reuters

US to end restrictions on Indian nuclear entities to boost energy ties, Sullivan says | Reuters

Czech energy plan focuses on renewables and nuclear - World Nuclear News

Czech energy plan focuses on renewables and nuclear - World Nuclear News

Deep Fission and Endeavour announce strategic partnership - World Nuclear News

Deep Fission and Endeavour announce strategic partnership - World Nuclear News

Korean industry-academia cooperation to expand nuclear exports - World Nuclear News

Korean industry-academia cooperation to expand nuclear exports - World Nuclear News

USA to end restrictions on India's nuclear entities - World Nuclear News

USA to end restrictions on India's nuclear entities - World Nuclear News

Poland Approves $14.7 Billion in Funding for Nuclear Plant Project Amid EU Probe - Bloomberg

Poland Approves $14.7 Billion in Funding for Nuclear Plant Project Amid EU Probe - Bloomberg

Tribes, environmentalists gather forces against Amazon’s Northwest nuclear plan - OPB

Tribes, environmentalists gather forces against Amazon’s Northwest nuclear plan - OPB

Midwest to lead in ‘build, baby, build’ | Utility Dive

Midwest to lead in ‘build, baby, build’ | Utility Dive

Biden team wraps up expanded clean energy credit guidance | Reuters

Biden team wraps up expanded clean energy credit guidance | Reuters

Nuclear Energy Generation: A Regional Look

Nuclear Energy Generation: A Regional Look

Palisades steam generator repairs on NRC docket -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Palisades steam generator repairs on NRC docket -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Deep Fission to supply Endeavour data centers with 2GW of nuclear energy from "mile-deep" SMR - DCD

Deep Fission to supply Endeavour data centers with 2GW of nuclear energy from "mile-deep" SMR - DCD

Union sounds off on plans for $4.5 billion advanced nuclear fuel plant near Richland

Union sounds off on plans for $4.5 billion advanced nuclear fuel plant near Richland

Poland Backs $14.7 Billion in Funding for Nation’s First Nuclear Power Plant as EU Probes Project

Poland Backs $14.7 Billion in Funding for Nation’s First Nuclear Power Plant as EU Probes Project

Will the world fall in love with nuclear power once more? | Grist

Will the world fall in love with nuclear power once more? | Grist

What Will Power the A.I. Revolution? - The New York Times

What Will Power the A.I. Revolution? - The New York Times

China’s nuclear power drive gains steam as major new reactor comes online | South China Morning Post

China’s nuclear power drive gains steam as major new reactor comes online | South China Morning Post

What a second Trump administration may mean for the Saudi nuclear program - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

What a second Trump administration may mean for the Saudi nuclear program - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

Poland Backs $14.7 Billion in Funding for Nation’s First Nuclear Power Plant as EU Probes Project

Poland Backs $14.7 Billion in Funding for Nation’s First Nuclear Power Plant as EU Probes Project

Nuclear has changed. Will the U.S. change with it? — Harvard Gazette

Nuclear has changed. Will the U.S. change with it? — Harvard Gazette

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Oak Ridge to Continue Cleanup Momentum in 2025; EM Priority: Portsmouth Closes 2024 by Completing X-333 Building Deactivation; and much more!

Oak Ridge to Continue Cleanup Momentum in 2025; EM Priority: Portsmouth Closes 2024 by Completing X-333 Building Deactivation; and much more! -

The nuclear renaissance: Exploring the rapid evolution of nuclear energy in today's marketplace - WTW

The nuclear renaissance: Exploring the rapid evolution of nuclear energy in today's marketplace - WTW

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

Egypt approves nuclear waste storage facility at El-Dabaa plant

Egypt approves nuclear waste storage facility at El-Dabaa plant

Central Theme for Energy’s Future: Decentralizing Power Generation

Central Theme for Energy’s Future: Decentralizing Power Generation

Zaporizhzhia NPP: IAEA's concerns over 'increased intensity' of military activities - World Nuclear News

Zaporizhzhia NPP: IAEA's concerns over 'increased intensity' of military activities - World Nuclear News

What a second Trump administration may mean for the Saudi nuclear program - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

What a second Trump administration may mean for the Saudi nuclear program - Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

2025’s Energy Crossroads: 6 Trends Redefining the Global Power Sector

2025’s Energy Crossroads: 6 Trends Redefining the Global Power Sector

Texas, Utah, Last Energy challenge NRC’s ‘overburdensome’ microreactor regulations | Utility Dive

Texas, Utah, Last Energy challenge NRC’s ‘overburdensome’ microreactor regulations | Utility Dive

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

Oriana Skylar Mastro makes a case for paring America’s nukes

Oriana Skylar Mastro makes a case for paring America’s nukes

Nuclear Renaissance Sparks Uranium Rush | OilPrice.com

Nuclear Renaissance Sparks Uranium Rush | OilPrice.com

American Historical Association resolution condemns Israeli 'scholasticide' in Gaza | The Times of Israel

American Historical Association resolution condemns Israeli 'scholasticide' in Gaza | The Times of Israel

Norway explores advanced nuclear propulsion for commercial shipping

Norway explores advanced nuclear propulsion for commercial shipping

Monday, January 6, 2025

India to Deploy a Fleet of 40-50 220 MW PHWRs | Neutron Bytes

India to Deploy a Fleet of 40-50 220 MW PHWRs | Neutron Bytes

The US government announced a ‘historic’ nuclear energy deal - The Verge

The US government announced a ‘historic’ nuclear energy deal - The Verge

Constellation inks $1 billion deal to supply US government with nuclear power

Constellation inks $1 billion deal to supply US government with nuclear power

‘The Power of Nuclear’ Review: Reactors and Detractors - WSJ

‘The Power of Nuclear’ Review: Reactors and Detractors - WSJ

Manufacturing contracts awarded for TerraPower’s Natrium SMR -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Manufacturing contracts awarded for TerraPower’s Natrium SMR -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

Texas, Utah sue over small nuclear reactor rules - E&E News by POLITICO

Texas, Utah sue over small nuclear reactor rules - E&E News by POLITICO

Proposed underground micro reactor at University of Illinois making regulatory progress | New Civil Engineer

Proposed underground micro reactor at University of Illinois making regulatory progress | New Civil Engineer

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

A Lawless NRC Obstructs Safe Nuclear Power - WSJ

Texas, Utah, Last Energy challenge NRC’s ‘overburdensome’ microreactor regulations | Utility Dive

Texas, Utah, Last Energy challenge NRC’s ‘overburdensome’ microreactor regulations | Utility Dive

Nuclear Waste could be the game-changer to Unlimited Electricity – Watts Up With That?

Nuclear Waste could be the game-changer to Unlimited Electricity – Watts Up With That?