A Renewed Moment

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

August 18, 2025

With the exponential growth of AI and the steady development of data centers, nuclear power is reemerging as an option in a growing number of jurisdictions. In France, for example, the country is dotted with 57 small nuclear power plants with more in the works. This has reduced risks to the grid while allowing for innovation and improved safety.

Similarly in Pennsylvania, Microsoft and Constellation are working on plans to reopen the undamaged portions of the Three Mile Island facility to provide power. Now called the Crane Clean Energy Center, it is slated to reopen in 2027 or 2028.

In Michigan, the Palisades nuclear facility is moving through the reopening process, while entirely new builds are being considered for sites in New York, Oregon, Washington state, Tennessee, and beyond. As big tech continues to expand, AI use accelerates, and the pivot away from traditional sources of energy generation continues, nuclear power is experiencing a renewed moment both in the United States and around the globe.

News You Can Use

This is a light week for economic data, but several significant releases are on the calendar. We start the week today with the homebuilder confidence survey, followed tomorrow by housing starts and building permits data from July. On Wednesday we get a peek at the FOMC meeting minutes from the July meeting and discussions around interest rates, while on Thursday we’ll see the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey and results from August and existing home sales figures for July. We wrap up on Friday with remarks by Federal Reserve Bank Chairman Jerome Powell from Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Not surprisingly, this is a light week for companies with earnings calls. Riskified and Palo Alto Networks are scheduled for today, followed by Home Depot, Medtronic, Toll Brothers, and others on Tuesday. Lowe’s, Target, and TJX are slated for calls on Wednesday, while Walmart, Intuit, BJ’s Wholesale, and a few others round out the week.

Michael J. Quaranta

President

Delaware State Chamber of Commerce

Uniquely Delaware

Delaware's Energy Portfolio

In 2023, Delaware’s electricity generation was overwhelmingly dominated by natural gas, which made up 91.8% of the state’s power supply. This is far above the U.S. average and represents the highest reliance on natural gas of any state. Delaware generated virtually no electricity from coal, nuclear, or petroleum. Renewable sources accounted for just 4.7% of Delaware’s mix. One other area where Delaware stood out was pumped storage and other sources, which provided 3.6% of its power, ranking first in the nation.

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Nestled in scenic Brandywine Park and operated by the Delaware Zoological Society, the Brandywine Zoo is a true gem of Delaware’s park system. In celebration of the Brandywine Zoo’s 120th anniversary, join us tomorrow, August 19, for a networking breakfast. Register >

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