Policy Activity
U.S. Senate Passes Bipartisan Nuclear Bill
The Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy (ADVANCE) Act passed in the U.S. Senate and has moved to President Biden’s desk for signature. The bipartisan achievement passed 88-2 after passing in the House earlier this year. The bill directs the NRC to examine their current processes to identify ways to approve technology and licensing through a quicker process and allocates funding to assist with licensing and permitting costs for early advanced reactors. The bill is intended to support the deployment of advanced nuclear and increase NRC efficiency as the U.S. strives to meet clean energy and emission goals.
Washington’s Democratic Party Refuses Anti-Nuclear Position
During its recent convention, Washington State’s Democratic Party declined to adopt an anti-nuclear platform. During the convention, the delegates rejected one resolution stating that the state should not use clean energy funds for nuclear projects and another resolution stating that nuclear is not a solution to climate change. These two resolutions were rejected by a vote of 373-361. Delegates expressed their thoughts on nuclear by stating that nuclear energy is a solution to meet energy demand as fossil fuel use is reduced.
State Legislation Updates
Connecticut SB 385 (enacted) will require an assessment of the regional energy market to determine if the region benefits from energy generated by the state’s Millstone Nuclear Power Station. The goal of the bill is to ultimately extend contracts with the plant, ensure long-term purchasing. Millstone is operated by Dominion Energy.
Florida HB 1645 (enacted) recognizes the potential applications of nuclear energy in the state and requires the Public Service Commission to study the technical and economic feasibility of advanced reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) in the state. The report is due by April 1, 2025. Though it calls for nuclear development, the bill has been controversial for its strike of the term “climate change” across many aspects of energy development and procurement.
Ohio HB 308, sponsored by Rep. Dick Stein and Rep. Sean Brennan is advancing to the state’s senate. Passing 87-10, the bill adds energy created by a nuclear reaction to the state’s definition of clean energy. The state has two reactors including the Davis-Besse and Perry 1 reactors, which power an estimated 1.6 million homes. Ohio is also involved in the nuclear cycle through Centrus Energy Corp’s high-assay low-enriched uranium, or HALEU, facility in Piketon, Ohio, which will bring a domestic fuel source for advanced reactors to the U.S. See Ohio’s nuclear energy fact sheet from the Nuclear Energy Institute to read more on the state’s nuclear industry.
New Hampshire HB 1465 passed in the state’s House and Senate and will now be sent to Gov. Chris Sununu. The bill requires the Department of Energy to coordinate with state agencies on the continuation of studies assessing uses of nuclear energy and advanced reactors in the state. The state currently has one nuclear power plant, Seabrook Station, which opened in 1990.
Stay up to date on these bills and more with NCSL’s 50-state bill tracking database. Filter by topics like nuclear, renewable energy, workforce, and more.
Nuclear Power Plants and Infrastructure
Diablo Canyon Loan Secured in California
Ongoing debates over the operation of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in California recently reached a decision point as lawmakers approved a $400 million loan to maintain operations. Lawmakers originally expressed their intention to reject the financing, citing the current budget deficit and repayment concerns. Gov. Gavin Newsom has advocated for the plant openly, stating that it is necessary to meet demand and prevent blackouts. The plant was set to close in 2025, but recently was approved to extend operation another five years until 2030. Plant operators PG&E are currently seeking a license extension with the NRC.
TerraPower Breaks Ground in Wyoming
TerraPower began construction in June on their new Natrium sodium-cooled reactor. The new reactor in Wyoming was designed in partnership with GE Hitachi. The NRC has not yet approved the construction permit, meaning the company will not be able to construct nuclear components for at least a year. The company is currently focusing on construction of the sodium test site and non-nuclear energy infrastructure. TerraPower has stated that complete construction will take about five years. Read more on the company’s press release, or find more on the Natrium reactor.
French Operator EDF to Restart Flamanville Unit 3
Fuel loading was completed in France’s Flamanville Unit 3 reactor, the newest reactor at the Normandy facility. The unit was originally expected to enter commercial operation in 2013, with construction starting in 2007. French officials report that many factors contributed to the delay, including construction beginning ahead of a final reactor design, resulting the necessary rebuilding of some infrastructure to accommodate the design. France currently derives around 70% of its electricity from nuclear power through over 50 operating reactors. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the country’s first commercial reactor came online in the 1960s.
Minnesota Questioning Responsibility for Prairie Island Outage
Xcel Energy and the state of Minnesota are at odds over the responsible party for $23 million of energy purchased on the energy market because of an over 100-day outage at Prairie Island nuclear plant that began in October 2023. The outage was caused by Xcel employees, who accidentally cut cables while digging near the plant without proper planning. The outage forced the state to purchase power on the open market, which some state officials say should be paid for by Xcel shareholders and not Minnesota consumers. Officials claim that, because of the outage, the plant did not uphold itstheir contract. Xcel Energy representatives s their operation has been reliable and that they operated prudently and in good faith.
Fuel, Waste, and Materials
New Railcar Certified to Carry Spent Nuclear Fuel
The Association of American Railroads certified the high-tech Atlas railcar system to operate on all major freight railways in the U.S., carrying spent nuclear fuel in its secure system. The railcar design took 10 years to complete and features the Atlas, an escort vehicle, and two buffer railcars. The design is the first DOE rail project to be certified for high level nuclear waste. DOE is continuing to work on a second design that will carry lighter spent fuel loads.
WIPP Constructs New Ventilation System
The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico has installed a new ventilation system that will begin operation in the next few years. The system will increase airflow and create a new way to circulate air into the underground environment, increasing airflow from 170,000 cubic feet per minute to 540,000 cubic feet per minute. With increased airflow, multiple projects can be executed simultaneously, including drum placement and mining, and increase the quality of air for employees of WIPP.
Operations and Partnerships
Oklo Reaches Power Purchase Agreement for Wyoming Data Center
Wyoming Hyperscale, a data center company focusing on efficient, water-conscious and renewable energy powered centers, signed a non-binding letter of intent to enter a 20-year power purchase agreement with Oklo Inc. The companies announced that Oklo will provide 100 megawatts of energy to Wyoming Hyperscale’s center. Oklo’s Aurora Powerhouse reactor is not yet approved by the NRC, though the company has received a permit to construct a prototype at Idaho National Laboratory. Oklo has entered agreements with other companies, including Equinix and Diamondback Energy, Inc. to provide power using their advanced reactor design.
Research and Technology
EPRI Predicts Data Center Demand Will Double by 2030
A new report published by the Electric Power Research Institute estimates that data centers will consume 9% of U.S. energy by 2030, more than double the current usage. According to the organization, artificial intelligence search queries use 10 times the amount of electricity as normal searches. Currently, Virginia and Texas lead the country’s data center load. Data centers pose new applications opportunities for nuclear reactors, and companies may be seeking new opportunities to connect to nuclear power plants behind the meter.
Initiatives, Announcements, and Funding Opportunities
Tennessee Providing Two Universities with Funding
Roane State Community College and the University of Tennessee will receive funding from the state’s Nuclear Energy Fund. The fund was recommended by Gov. Bill Lee in the 2023-2024 budget. Projects were selected by the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council and will include a new minor program in nuclear engineering at the Univ. of Tennessee Knoxville and the purchase of new laboratory equipment for a new program at Roane State Community College.
Resources
A study by the University of Michigan assessed 300,000 nuclear energy related posts on X/Twitter, finding that 50% of posts were neutral, fact-based posts. Their sample also found that 30% of posts were positive-toned and 23% of posts were negative-toned. Read more and find a link to the published paper.
The DOE Office of Nuclear Energy publishes nuclear milestones, including research milestones, breakthroughs, and NRC updates on their website. These updates provide ongoing public information about nuclear energy and new technologies.