Nuclear Power Gets a Big Boost in the US

[gleem]

The deemphasis of fossil fuels for energy production has put pressure on revitalizing the nuclear power industry. A good step forward was taken last month by the passing and signing of new legislation: the ADVANCE (Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy) Act. A key element of this legislation is streamlining the NRC and its regulations. If the NRC approves a project for a reactor, multiple reactors can be built on the same site with much-reduced delay and approval by the NRC. Previously, each unit at a site was reviewed and approved as a new reactor going through the same review as the previous one resulting in new requirements for that unit causing delays and increased expense.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/congress-advance-act-nuclear-power_n_6670a926e4b08889dbe5e626

 

[gmax137]

Thanks, @gleem that is an interesting article.

The point about not continuing to build more AP1000 units in the US is particularly vexing to me. After all of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into constructing Vogtle units 3 and 4 it is truly a shame to see no follow through. Several AP1000 units were built in China, and Westinghouse is probably working towards winning some contracts outside the US. But every year that passes is another year of losing the domestic construction craft talent and supply chain capability.

 

[Astronuc]

After all of the blood, sweat, and tears that went into constructing Vogtle units 3 and 4 it is truly a shame to see no follow through.

Not to mention partially constructed VC Summer 2 & 3.

But every year that passes is another year of losing the domestic construction craft talent and supply chain capability.

That's been an issue in the US since the 1990s.

 

[gleem]

Constellation Energy will reopen Three Mile Island's reactor to sell electricity to Microsoft for their AI program.
They plan to spend $1.5B and have it running by 2028.

Another reactor in Michigan shut down in 2022 is also being reopened and is expected to go online in late 2025 at a cost of $2B. In addition a reactor in Iowa is being considered for reopening.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/t...n&cvid=306b93c2b91e41a1ac6f0d9fddc74b47&ei=43

 

[russ_watters]

It's hard to imagine one company needing 800 MW of power. Wow.

Also, it is hard to imagine the economic landscape shifting so much in 5yrs.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I lot of these is hype and fear of missing out.

Ultimately, to make money someone has to sell something. McDonalds sells $100B worth of burgers per year. Is spending a billion on AI to increase sales sensible? Probably. $10B? Possibly. $100B? Probably not. So there will be some impact, but there will not be a gold rush.

Amazon wiped out Sears. But it wiped out Sears. Amazon's business is there because Sears isn't there any more.