Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire - Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry. Nuclear Activities
Saturday, October 10, 2026
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Friday, October 2, 2026
Atomic Prime - From Heatmap
"Another hyperscaler invests in large existing nuclear
Almost exactly two years ago, nuclear energy had its Big Tech glow-up. Amazon took an equity stake in X-energy, a developer of helium-cooled small modular reactors. Google invested in Kairos Power, another fourth-generation SMR designer that uses molten salt as a coolant. Microsoft, meanwhile, agreed to pay $16 billion to restart the functioning reactor at Constellation Energy’s Crane Clean Energy Center, formerly known as Three Mile Island. With electricity demand now surging, however, hyperscalers are increasingly following the more conservative Microsoft playbook. Google, as I previously told you, backed plans to bring Iowa’s lone nuclear plant, NextEra Energy’s Duane Arnold station, online again. Facebook-owner Meta — in addition to investments in two next-generation reactor companies, Oklo and TerraPower — inked a deal to buy nuclear electricity from two of utility Vistra’s plants in Ohio and Pennsylvania for the next 20 years."
"Now Amazon is securing itself a chunk of the nation’s existing nuclear fleet. This week, the retail and web-hosting giant signed its own 20-year deal to buy power from Constellation’s Calvert Cliffs Clean Energy Center in Maryland, committing more than $3 billion in investments to upgrade the two-reactor facility that will allow the operators to squeeze out another 190 megawatts of capacity on top of the existing 1.8 gigawatts. “This agreement demonstrates how private investment can strengthen critical energy infrastructure,” Constellation CEO Joe Dominguez said in a statement. “Amazon’s commitment supports the long-term operation of Calvert Cliffs for generations to come.”
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Files to Support CGNP's 29 September 2026 Public Comments
Files to Support CGNP's 29 September 2026 Public Comments - micheletkearney@gmail.com - Gmail
Files to Support CGNP's 29 September 2026 Public Comments
Inbox
government@cgnp.org
Attachments2:45 AM (12 hours ago)
Hello, County of San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors and Staff:
I've attached three files to support Californians for Green Nuclear Power's (CGNP's) Comments during the public comment period for the 29 September 2026 Public Meeting.
Those three files include the text from a 17 September 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Travel section article touting the Diablo Canyon lands as a tourist destination. The other two items were distributed to the public at the Diablo Canyon Lands conservation meeting.
CGNP attended the Diablo Canyon Lands conservation meeting on 23 September 2026 at the downtown SLO public library. CGNP has concerns that public access for the Diablo Canyon Lands could create land use conflicts and serve as a barrier to extended Diablo Canyon operations beyond 2030. CGNP continues to learn about actions taken to support the doctrine-based opposition of California Senator John Laird and California Assembly Member Dawn Addis.
As the earliest advocate for Diablo Canyon extended operations, independent nonprofit CGNP appreciates the longstanding support of the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors for extended Diablo Canyon operations at least to 2045. Per a 2013 Cal Poly SLO study, Diablo Canyon generates at least a billion dollars in direct and indirect economic activity each year.
The massive Iberian Peninsula blackout on 28 April 2025 illustrated the danger of insufficient synchronous grid inertia from Spanish nuclear power plants - and excess low-quality power from solar and wind generation. Unfortunately, at least eleven people who were depending on reliable electric power died as a consequence of the blackout. The economic harms from lost productivity and damaged production equipment are measured in the equivalent of billions of U.S. dollars.
Diablo Canyon's safe, reliable, abundant, and zero-emission power is cost-effective. In a CPUC filing CGNP made on 28 September 2026, we showed the net cost of Diablo Canyon's power during the initial record period from September, 2023 to December, 2025 was a mere 1,7 cents per kilowatt-hour, a cost comparable to power from a large hydroelectric dam. Diablo Canyon typically annually produces more power than five Hoover Dams.
The County's best bet for ratepayers and the environment is to keep Diablo Canyon running well beyond 2045.
Sincerely,
Gene Nelson, Ph.D. CGNP Senior Legal Researcher and President
Californians for Green Nuclear Power, Inc. (CGNP)
1375 East Grand Ave Ste 103 #523
Arroyo Grande, CA 93420-2421
(805) 363 - 4697 cell
Government@CGNP.org email
https://CGNP.org/About Website - ActBlue donation link
https://greennuke.substack.com CGNP GreenNUKE Substack
** California Needs DCPP's 24/7 Reliable Power. **
Monday, September 28, 2026
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Friday, September 25, 2026
Thursday, September 24, 2026
RE: Proposed Clean Energy Innovation Hub and DCPP Parcel P -
Subject: Proposed Clean Energy Innovation Hub and DCPP Parcel P
Dear Karen: I appreciated our short conversation earlier today regarding the future of Parcel P at the Diablo Canyon Lands Conservation Planning Project meeting at the SLO County Library.
As I informed you, I'm a tenacious advocate for the extended operation of Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP.) In 2022, the American Nuclear Society awarded me a Presidential Citation for my pro-DCPP advocacy. In 2025, Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow wrote a book titled Atomic Dreams: The New Nuclear Evangelists and the Fight for the Future of Energy https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Dreams-Nuclear-Evangelists-Future/dp/1643753150 The chapter that highlights my advocacy is Chapter 14 - The Guy in the Headband. I would like to see DCPP continue to generate clean, firm power for its design lifetime which is about a century.
Per https://cms.calpolypartners.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/rfp.pdf I understand that you are the point of contact for a proposed Clean Energy Innovation Hub which would presumably exist at Parcel P. I believe that such a project is mutually incompatible with DCPP extended operations. You may be aware that the original DCPP site plan was for six reactors, not two. During the 2025 Gifford Fire in eastern San Luis Obispo County, two of the three 500 kiloVolt lines feeding the state's AC backbone from DCPP were turned off out of an abundance of caution during the wildfire. The remaining line was able to carry the equivalent of about 1 1/2 reactors of power to the AC backbone. That fact implies that the three 500 kiloVolt lines could carry the power from about 4 1/2 reactors to the AC backbone. Thus, the DCPP site has the capability for significant nuclear power expansion.
DCPP supplies the equivalent of five Hoover Dams of clean firm power each year to the California power grid. DCPP's power also possesses important properties such as the greatest amount of synchronous grid inertia to maintain grid frequency stability. Thus, DCPP supplies an essential grid reliability service to the California power grid.
I'm requesting clarification regarding the plans for the proposed Clean Energy Innovation Hub in the event that DCPP continues to generate power, which I believe is the best and highest use for Parcel P.
Sincerely,
Gene Nelson, Ph.D. CGNP Senior Legal Researcher and President
Californians for Green Nuclear Power, Inc. (CGNP)
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Newsom to consider bill on nuclear power plant expansion | California | thecentersquare.com
Newsom to consider bill on nuclear power plant expansion | California | thecentersquare.com
See article below after comment:
RE: Newsom to consider bill on nuclear power plant expansion 09 21 26
Dear Madeline: As a nuclear power advocate, I appreciate your reporting on Assembly Member Calderon's AB 2647 in your attached article. I would have appreciated a quotation from a Diablo Canyon advocate to balance out your quotes from a representative for Committee to Bridge the Gap, an organization doctrinally opposed to California nuclear power.
Your citing the legislative analysis: "Diablo Canyon operates at a nine-figure annual loss, which PG&E ratepayers pay for despite large taxpayer-funded subsidies, according to the bill analysis" is also biased in a different fashion.
Under the terms of California SB 846 (Dodd, 2022) which extended Diablo Canyon's operations at least until 2030 stipulates that Diablo Canyon is now operated essentially for the benefit of the California Department of Water Resources by its owner PG&E. Ratepayers pay the difference between Diablo Canyon's operational costs and Diablo Canyon's CAISO market revenues. I believe this is a unique arrangement for any U.S. nuclear power plant.
Diablo Canyon was fully depreciated by PG&E by the end of 2025 with two rounds of accelerated depreciation. Diablo Canyon's market value is in excess of $15 billion, based on its replacement cost. PG&E receives a token management fee of about $100 million each year to manage this critical California generator. Diablo Canyon supplies up to 2,270 MW on a 24-7 basis. That power provides for the work and residential needs for about 4 million Californians. Its annual production is equal to about five Hoover Dams (before the current Colorado River drought.) Diablo Canyon is safe. Its operation does not cause increases in air or water pollution. Thus, Diablo Canyon is a "clean and firm" power generator.
Independent nonprofit intervenor Californians for Green Nuclear Power, Inc. (CGNP) is a Party before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC.) During the past decade CGNP served that unique role as an advocate for ratepayers and the environment in many CPUC Proceedings. In the current Diablo Canyon cost Proceeding, we observed that the projected 2026 net cost for Diablo Canyon will be around 3.1 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh.) Since California's residential retail rates are around 40 cents per kWh, [The most expensive in the continental U.S.] Diablo Canyon represents an incredible bargain for its essential clean and firm power.
Please consider contacting CGNP for balance when you write your next article about Diablo Canyon.
Sincerely,
Gene Nelson, Ph.D. CGNP Senior Legal Researcher and President
Californians for Green Nuclear Power, Inc. (CGNP)
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Nuclear Waste Innovator Deep Isolation Demonstrates Safe, Cost-Effective Disposal Pathway for Waste from Recycled Fuel
Nuclear Waste Innovator Deep Isolation Demonstrates Safe, Cost-Effective Disposal Pathway for Waste from Recycled Fuel
About Deep Isolation
Deep Isolation (OTCQB: DBHL) is the first company to undertake development of technologies for nuclear waste disposal in deep boreholes. When commercialized, Deep Isolation’s solution will offer a unique approach to help countries identify, plan for and complete the necessary steps to dispose of their nuclear waste inventories. With over 100 patents issued to date, Deep Isolation’s technology is being designed to leverage proven drilling practices to allow safe isolation of waste deep underground in horizontal, vertical, or slanted borehole repositories. Deep Isolation’s Universal Canister System was developed through a three-year project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy and is engineered to support integrated management of spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste from legacy and advanced reactors across storage, transportation, and eventual disposal. In January 2026, Deep Isolation launched a full-scale, at-depth deep borehole Commercialization Pilot for its solution at Cameron, Texas, in collaboration with the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center, Halliburton (NYSE: HAL), Amentum (NYSE: AMTM), NAC International (TYO: 7004), and Occlusion Nuclear Solutions.
For more information, visit: https://www.deepisolation.com
Fusion Technology Attracts $14 Billion in Race for Commercial Power - Bloomberg
Fusion Technology Attracts $14 Billion in Race for Commercial Power - Bloomberg
Fusion Gets $14 Billion Bet It’s More Than a ‘Science Project’
So far, scientists have pulled off energy-generating reactions only in laboratory settings, and the path there has been slow and costly. But companies say they’re getting rapidly closer to commercial viability.
Monday, September 21, 2026
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