A new 1,114-megawatt reactor at Georgia’s Vogtle nuclear power plant has begun commercial operation, joining two existing reactors at the plant, which is jointly owned by Georgia Power and three other utility companies. This is the first new reactor to start up in the U.S. since the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Watts Bar 2 was commissioned…...
The U.S. Energy Department on June 9 announced grants totaling $26 million to thirteen university, nonprofit, and private-sector teams across twelve states and the District of Columbia to support the implementation of the consent-based siting for the storage and disposal of spent fuel. The project teams, representing diverse geographic and institutional backgrounds, will receive $2…...
In the most recent winter heating season during Nov 1–March 31, U.S. electricity generation from natural gas was the highest in over 25 years. Setting a record at 619 billion kilowatt-hours (BkWh), gas-fired generation averaged over 120 BkWh per month and accounted for 38 percent of U.S. power generation mix, according to a June 6…...
The U.S. Energy Department on June 1 announced $46 million in grants to eight companies across seven states to advance designs, as well as research and development for fusion power plants. This investment represents a major stride towards the Biden administration’s commitment to establish a pilot-scale demonstration of fusion energy within the next decade which…...
Policy developments around nuclear energy continue to evolve driven by new reactor technologies and the need for carbon-free power to support clean energy goals. Nuclear operators can have their yellowcake and eat it too as massive federal and state subsidies protect traditional nuclear power plants while underwriting the development of advanced reactors.
The focus on decarbonization and energy security has elevated the importance of nuclear power as a critical technology to achieve national and state goals. Recent actions include the second award cycle of a $6 billion federal program established to maintain the existing reactor fleet and proposals to explore the feasibility of deploying advanced nuclear technologies.
Efforts to preserve and expand the U.S. nuclear fleet are figuring more prominently across the U.S., spurred by the growing demand for emission-free energy. In particular, policy actions and initiatives are geared towards making nuclear power more competitive.