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Greetings Patrick!
In this week’s issue, we provide an infographic detailing the four nuclear power plants that could potentially be reopened in the United States, and how they reflect a broader shift in U.S. nuclear energy policy in response to an increasing demand for electricity. We spotlight President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders and their ramifications for U.S. nuclear energy development and deployment. Finally, we highlight key nuclear technology, security, and geopolitical developments, reports, and analyses.
This issue of Nuclear News and Views was produced by PGS Program Director, Patrick Kendall, and Della Ratta Energy and Global Security Fellows, Emily Day and Jocelyn Livier.
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Resurrection of U.S. Nuclear Plants | |
The proposed restart of three currently shut-down U.S. nuclear power plants at Palisades in Michigan, Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania, and Duane Arnold in Iowa reflects a remarkable shift in energy policy driven by increasing electricity demand in the United States. This resurrection extends to the partially constructed V.C. Summer nuclear plant in South Carolina which may now be completed. This energy impetus is coming from the need for uninterrupted and substantial power to AI data centers and the need for clean energy as electricity demand accelerates. Palisades is being revived with federal support and private investment, aiming to bolster grid stability and support industrial energy needs. Three Mile Island’s Unit 1, shut down for economic reasons, is being considered for revival as part of Microsoft's clean energy strategy to power data centers. Meanwhile, a license change request has been filed to restart Duane Arnold, and it may evolve to incorporate small modular reactors (SMRs) to enhance regional energy resilience. In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster has backed efforts to restart construction on V.C. Summer, calling it the best solution to the state’s growing energy demands. The project was abandoned in 2017 after massive cost overruns and a corruption scandal, but a recent report found the unfinished reactors to be in excellent condition. | |
Jocelyn Livier, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security | | |
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Spotlight
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed several executive orders that will impact U.S. nuclear energy. Most prominent is the “Unleashing American Energy” executive order that declared a national energy emergency and seeks to support greater availability of affordable and reliable energy. As it pertains to nuclear energy, the order directs federal agencies to review actions that potentially burden the development of domestic energy sources, specifically referencing impediments facing the nuclear energy industry. However, the order also pauses the disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act, which is a crucial funding source for the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP), the Civil Nuclear Credit Program, and increasing domestic supplies of high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU). The America First Trade Policy also could impact international nuclear supply chains.
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Patrick Kendall, Program Director, Partnership for Global Security | |
Issues of Special Interest | |
Global AI and Data Center Energy | |
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Shares of some independent power producers fell sharply amid a broader selloff in technology and AI infrastructure stocks. Shares in companies with significant nuclear and gas generation fleets in unregulated markets were particularly hard-hit. Vistra Corp.’s shares fell by more than 28%, Talen Energy’s fell more than 21%, and Constellation Energy’s fell more than 21%. The rout came days after Chinese AI startup DeepSeek released two high-performing AI models that may cost 45 times less to train than leading-edge products from U.S. companies like OpenAI and Anthropic and require much less energy growth to support them.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced the creation of a new joint venture called Stargate to invest in data centers, building on major U.S. investments in the technology. The joint venture consists of OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, who will create at least $100 billion in computing infrastructure and potentially invest as much as $500 billion over the next four years. The venture will be open to other investors and start with 10 data centers already under construction in Texas. President Trump has promised to accelerate the production of American-made AI technology to compete against China for global leadership in the technology.
Talen Energy is asking a U.S. appeals court to weigh in on a decision by federal regulators last year to reject a power agreement for an Amazon data center connected directly to Talen’s Susquehanna Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania. Talen plans to petition for a review of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) rejection, including a rejected rehearing request, by the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The FERC previously rejected Talen’s request for an amended interconnection agreement that would have allowed it to increase electricity supplies to Amazon’s data centers.
TerraPower and Sabey Data Centers (SDC) signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the deployment of Natrium power plants at SDC’s current and future data centers. The two partners will explore multiple project execution structures to meet the exponential demand in data center energy needs with Natrium advanced reactors at SDC’s facilities in the Rocky Mountain region and Texas. TerraPower’s Natrium is a 345 MWe sodium-cooled fast reactor that uses high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).
Small modular reactor firm Oklo signed a memorandum of understanding with RPower to deploy a phased power model that combines natural gas and nuclear power for the data center sector. The model will combine RPower’s natural gas generators with Oklo’s Aurora Powerhouse reactor. The model will work in three phases, with the second phase involving the installation of Oklo’s Aurora reactors on-site as they become commercially available. Oklo’s Aurora Powerhouse nuclear reactor is a fast neutron reactor that utilizes metallica fuel.
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The Impact of Russia's Invasion of Ukraine on International Nuclear Affairs | |
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Ukraine’s state-owned nuclear energy firm, Energoatom, and Energy Minister German Galushchenko are under scrutiny for failing to adequately protect nuclear plants from Russian air attacks, leaving the country vulnerable to winter blackouts. Despite government orders and available funding, Energoatom is accused of delaying fortifying key infrastructure and prioritizing an expansion project over immediate defensive measures. With Ukraine’s energy system already crippled by Russian strikes, experts and lawmakers warn that further attacks on unprotected nuclear plants could trigger devastating power outages.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported frequent explosions near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) over the past week. The plant has remained undamaged, but military activity around the site continues. Air raid alarms were heard from the Khmelnytsky, Rivne, and South Ukraine nuclear power plants, as well as Chernobyl. The IAEA continues to provide safety and security assistance, including new diesel generators to provide on-site power if there is a total loss of off-site power.
Ukraine’s parliament is set to vote on purchasing Soviet-era nuclear reactor components from Bulgaria, a move aimed at bolstering the country’s energy security amid ongoing Russian attacks. The purchase would allow for the construction of two reactors at the Khmelnytsky Nuclear Power Plant, bringing the total number of reactors in service to four. Supporters of the deal argue that utilizing Bulgaria's unused reactor parts is the fastest way to expand capacity while waiting for Western-built reactors.
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Global Nuclear Developments, Geopolitics, & Governance | |
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Russian scientists have developed a 3D printing technology to create advanced materials for plasma-facing components in fusion reactors. Researchers at the National University of Science and Technology (NITU MISiS) and the DV Efremov Institute used additive technologies to enhance the mechanical properties of tungsten, addressing key challenges in fusion reactor construction. However, practical applications for fusion energy remain decades away due to ongoing material optimization and economic feasibility concerns.
Russian specialists at JSC Research Institute NPO LUCH developed a pilot industrial technology for producing high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) fuel. This new line, capable of producing 250,000 fuel pellets annually, ensures a domestic supply of advanced TRISO fuel for future HTGR nuclear power plants. Initial batches of microfuel elements and fuel pellets are set for production in 2025, supporting reactor lifespan tests and further research.
The third cycle of tests of MOX fuel in Russia’s MIR research reactor will begin following the successful completion of the second phase of the program which aims to substantiate the safety of MOX fuel for use in VVER-type reactors. Rosatom says that if the proposed VVER-S reactors can use a foal load of MOX fuel, it will cut the use of natural uranium by 50% and, over its lifetime, could save about the same amount as the capital cost of a unit. The testing is being carried out in Dimitrovgrad by the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors (JSC RIAR).
Russia is set to extend the first unit at the Rostov Nuclear Power Plant for an additional 30 years. Rostov power plant director, Andrey Salnikov, said, “The modernization of the first power unit in 2024 launched a large-scale project to extend its service life by another 30 years. The life extension project plan was approved by the Rosatom state corporation and is designed to last until 2029.” Rostov Unit 1 began commercial operations in 2001, with its current operating license due to expire in 2030.
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Satellite images indicate that China appears to be building a large laser-ignited fusion research center in the region of Mianyang, a development that could aid nuclear weapons design and work exploring power generation. According to the independent research organization CNA Corp., the photos show four outlying “arms” that will house laser bays, and a central experiment bay that will hold a target chamber containing hydrogen isotopes the lasers will fuse together. China’s Science and Technology Ministry did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
China is rapidly advancing its nuclear power capabilities to meet its carbon neutrality goals before 2060. In 2024, the country added 11 new reactors and approved five additional projects, including the Jiangsu Xuwei Nuclear Power Heating Plant, the world's first to combine high-temperature gas-cooled reactors with pressurized water reactors. Over the past decade, China has added 37 nuclear reactors, increasing its total to 55, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In contrast, the United States, which leads globally with 93 reactors, has added only two during the same period.
China's Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) set a new record by sustaining a plasma loop for 1,066 seconds at temperatures above 180 million degrees Fahrenheit. This achievement was made possible through significant technological upgrades, including doubling the power of its heating mechanisms to enhance plasma confinement efficiency, marking a critical step toward achieving stable nuclear fusion for future energy generation. Current fusion reactors like EAST consume more energy than they produce, but the data from these experiments will aid the development of advanced reactors and contribute to other global projects like the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in France.
China has discovered a substantial uranium deposit in the Jingchuan area of the Ordos Basin near the Mongolian border, a development expected to significantly boost the country’s uranium reserves and enhance resource security, according to the China Geological Survey. This aligns with China’s growing uranium needs, driven by its fleet of 56 operational nuclear reactors and 29 reactors currently under construction—more than any other nation. According to the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA), China’s uranium resources span 21 ore fields, basins, and deposits across 13 provinces or autonomous regions, though recent data on exploration remains limited.
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Westinghouse announced the signing of a contract with Slovenia’s GEN energija to conduct a Technical Feasibility Study (TFS) assessing the deployment of an AP1000 reactor in support of its nuclear new-build strategy. The comprehensive study will evaluate the deployment of one AP1000 nuclear reactor at the proposed Krško-II Nuclear Power Plant, planned for a site adjacent to the current Krško Nuclear Power Plant. The TFS represents a significant step forward in Slovenia’s strategy to reduce its reliance on foreign energy sources, as well as expanding its collaboration with Westinghouse.
Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček released a statement stating that everything regarding the contract with Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) is going according to schedule, with the official signing still expected to take place at the end of March. Vlček discussed finalizing the EPC contract with KHNP CEO Joo-ho Whang, as well as the involvement of Czech companies in future nuclear projects with KHNP. The Czech Republic previously announced KHNP as the preferred bidder for building new nuclear reactor units at the Temelin and Dukovany Nuclear Power Plants.
Poland and Canada signed an agreement that provides a legal framework for more intensive cooperation on nuclear power following Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s meeting with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau. Tusk added that cooperation on small modular reactors (SMR) is particularly important. Poland is currently preparing to start the process of choosing a partner for a second planned nuclear power plant and has also previously given the green light for the construction of 24 SMR units across six sites by the end of the decade.
Hungary announced it is exploring the use of small modular reactors (SMRs) to meet rising energy demands after a meeting between Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and his British counterpart David Lammy. Hungary identified Rolls-Royce as a key player in SMR technology and expressed its intention to participate in the development and eventual deployment of SMRs. Russia's Rosatom is the main contractor for Hungary's Paks Nuclear Power Plant, which generates about 40% of the nation's power consumption.
Estonia is advancing its nuclear energy program by developing a legal framework for small modular reactors (SMRs) with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA legislative assistance mission provided guidance on nuclear safety, security, liability, and international legal instruments with members of Estonia’s Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization and other national stakeholders. In 2024, the Estonian parliament passed a resolution supporting the adoption of nuclear energy, paving the way for the creation of the necessary legal and regulatory framework.
The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announced plans to limit legal challenges to major infrastructure projects, including nuclear power plants, to just one hearing in court instead of the current 3 required. Starmer stated that 58% of decisions on major infrastructure were taken to court, getting in the way of the government’s mission to grow the economy. He cited delays to the Sizewell C nuclear power plant project as an example of this inefficiency. In response to this statement, Hinkley nuclear plant developer Électricité de France (EDF) welcomed the proposals to reform the way developers mitigate their environmental impact.
Italian Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin stated in an interview that Italy aims to finalize a plan allowing the use of nuclear power again by 2027. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government supports the development of advanced reactors and small modular reactors (SMR) to help decarbonize Italy’s most polluting industries and is currently drafting rules to lift the existing ban on nuclear power. Last September, Fratin said the Italian government seeks to draft these rules by early 2025 at the latest, hoping parliament will be able to approve the draft legislation this year.
The United Kingdom’s government has awarded Rolls-Royce an $11 billion 8-year contract to design, make and support nuclear reactors to power the country’s fleet of submarines. The deal will strengthen the Royal Navy’s continuous at-sea deterrent, under which at least one nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine patrols the seas at all times, as well as boost the existing AUKUS defense pact with the United States and Australia. The new contract will also support work on the Dreadnought class of nuclear submarines being built by BAE Systems.
International panelists at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 met to discuss the challenges to meeting the target of tripling nuclear capacity by 2050. Panel moderator Kirsty Gogan stated that achieving this target would require a construction rate of around 30 gigawatts a year for 20 years, which would require the world to fundamentally transform the way nuclear reactors are designed and delivered. On the other hand, the panel also highlighted progress made with regards to the nuclear supply chain and financing attitudes. Gogan noted that major financial institutions are changing their willingness to consider financing nuclear projects. Panelist Darryl White, of BMO Financial Group, underscored that financing projects over the next 25 years is an “enormous” challenge.
According to the French power transmission system operator RTE, France’s power generation during 2024 reached its highest level in 5 years at 536.5 terawatt hours (TWh). Most of this power generation came from nuclear energy at 361.7 TWh, which experienced a rapid recovery after two years of low production. In addition to an additional 28% of power produced from renewable energy sources, carbon-free power generation accounted for 95% of France’s power mix in 2024.
Électricité de France (EDF), its Italian subsidiary Edison, and Italy’s ENEA have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the industrial application of small modular reactors (SMR). The collaboration will focus on the analysis of thermo-hydraulic systems and passive safety systems, new technologies, integral system operation, and the opportunity to provide electricity and heat for industrial needs. The agreement builds on a previous MoU signed between EDF and ENEA in 2024.
The leader of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Friedrich Merz, a front runner to be the nation’s next leader, stated that a nuclear energy revival in Germany is unrealistic, stating that there is most likely no way to reopen facilities that are already being dismantled and decontaminated. His comments are in contrast to the CDU’s election promise to examine the possibility of restarting operations at recently shut down nuclear power plants. Germany decommissioned its last three nuclear power plants in 2023 over a decade after then-chancellor Angela Merkel made the decision to end nuclear power generation in the country.
A joint venture between Sweden’s Uniper SE and Blykalla AB has started work on a test reactor at Uniper’s Oskarshamn Nuclear Power Plant, which will be the nation’s first new reactor in about 40 years. The purpose of the reactor is to shine a light on various processes, including safety features, that will be applied to a lead-cooled version of a small modular reactor (SMR) that Blykalla is currently designing. The first SMR will have a capacity of about 70 megawatts. With electricity demand in Sweden poised to surge in coming decades, the current sees nuclear technology as one of the primary answers.
Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority announced it is on track to complete its assessment of Posiva Oy’s operating license application for the world’s first used nuclear fuel repository and is also on track to submit its statement to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment well before the end of the year. The government will make the final decision on the application, but a positive opinion by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) is required. STUK extended the deadline for the regulator’s opinion to the end of 2025.
Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) signed memorandums of understanding with Norway's Norsk Kjernekraft and Sweden's Kärnfull Next to advance the deployment of its i-SMR small modular reactor technology in Europe. The agreements focus on feasibility studies, site selection, and integrating SMRs into regional energy systems as Scandinavian nations push for energy independence and decarbonization. The i-SMR standard design is planned to be completed by the end of 2025, and obtain regulatory approval by 2028.
French nuclear start-up Naarea partnered with French company Phoenix Manufacture to accelerate the development of Naarea's XAMR microreactor by integrating 3D printing and advanced manufacturing techniques. The collaboration will focus on material validation, prototyping, scaling up production, and exploring reprocessing solutions, with the goal of launching series production by 2030. Designed as a modular molten salt-fast neutron reactor, the XAMR will generate 40MWe or 80MWt.
Slovakian utility Slovenské Elektrárne plans to use excess heat from the Mochovce nuclear power station to supply year-round district heating to the nearby town of Tlmače. The project, which includes the construction of a hot water pipeline and heat transfer infrastructure, is set to begin in 2027 and be completed by early 2028. This initiative follows similar district heating initiatives at Slovakia’s Bohunice nuclear plant.
Swedish steel company Alleima secured a contract of $48.4 million from Korea’s Doosan Enerbility to supply 200 kilometers of steam generator tubes for NuScale Power’s small modular reactor (SMR). This follows a similar order in June 2023, with deliveries scheduled between 2027 and 2028 for NuScale’s VOYGR SMR plants.
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The United States and Thailand have signed a new Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, replacing a 1974 agreement that expired in 2014. The deal enables the transfer of nuclear materials, equipment, and technology for civil nuclear energy production, supporting Thailand's plans to use small modular nuclear reactors to stabilize its energy supply and achieve carbon neutrality. This partnership strengthens diplomatic ties and energy security, complementing Thailand's ongoing nuclear research efforts, including a miniature neutron source reactor provided by China in 2023.
South Korea's Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has transferred its advanced Armstrong robot technology to Victex for 180 million won and a 3% sales royalty, targeting the nuclear decommissioning market. Armstrong, a dual-arm robot capable of moving 200 kilograms and operating in hazardous environments, was developed for nuclear disaster response and is now set to support tasks such as decontamination, cutting, and hazardous material transport at decommissioning sites. KAERI emphasizes the global growth potential of nuclear robotics as South Korea's domestic dismantling industry begins to develop.
Uranium production at the Inkai uranium mine in Kazakhstan has resumed after a recent suspension in operations. Kazatomprom’s update stated that JV Inkai LLP has resolved the approval issue and has resumed its mining operations. The previous suspension had been necessary to comply with Kazakh law after it had failed to obtain certain approvals from state authorities by a December 30 deadline. Kazatomprom holds a 60% interest in JV Inkai, while Canadian company Cameco owns the remaining 40%.
Mongolia signed a $1.6 billion investment deal with French nuclear company Orano to develop the Zuuvch-Ovoo uranium deposit, containing about 90,000 tons of resources. Production, set to begin in 2027, could reach 2,500 tons annually, supplying about 25% of France's nuclear energy needs. The project, managed by Badrakh Energy—a joint venture between Orano and Mongolia's MonAtom—positions Mongolia as a significant player in the global uranium market while bolstering France's energy independence.
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The U.S. Embassy in Ghana has commissioned a NuScale Power Energy Exploration (E2) Centre at the Graduate School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences in Accra in collaboration with Nuclear Power Ghana and the Nuclear Regulatory Authority. Supported by the U.S. State Department’s FIRST program and NuScale Power, the E2 Centre features a NuScale 12-module small modular reactor (SMR) simulator for training African nuclear professionals in advanced reactor operations. This initiative builds on a U.S.-Ghana partnership formalized in 2021, aiming to promote nuclear safety, security, and non-proliferation across the region.
Australian uranium developer Deep Yellow has delayed its final investment decision on the Tumas project in Namibia to March 2025, citing the need for updated cost estimates, project optimization, and improved uranium prices. The Tumas project has a defined resource of 118 million pounds of uranium oxide and is projected to produce 3.6 million pounds annually over a 22.5-year mine life, with an estimated initial capital cost of $372 million. Deep Yellow is continuing site engineering work, reserve drilling, and efforts to secure water, power, and financing while holding A$238 million ($148.7 million) in cash with no debt.
French company Orano initiated a second arbitration against Niger at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, following its loss of operational control of the Arlit uranium mine, which is 63.4% owned by Orano. The conflict stems from Niger's obstruction of uranium commercialization, suppression of Orano's offtake rights, and financial difficulties at SOMAÏR after the July 2023 coup, which halted uranium sales. Orano, which also lost its mining licence for the Imouraren deposit in December, plans to seek damages and assert its rights over SOMAÏR's production inventory.
Canadian company GoviEx Uranium announced the feasibility results for the Muntanga uranium project in Zambia, forecasting production in 2028 and envisages a quick start-up from shallow open-pit mining operations. The study found that operating costs would be $32.2 per pound of U3O8, with average production of 2.2 million pounds of U3O8 per year over a life-of-mine of 12 years. The Muntanga project is 100% owned by GoviEx and includes three mining licenses, comprising the Muntanga, Dibbwi, and Dibbwi East deposits, and the Chirundu license, which contains the Njame and Gwabi deposits.
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Iran signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement with Russia, deepening cooperation on nuclear energy, defense, and economic matters amid heightened tensions with Israel and the United States. The agreement strengthens Iran’s energy security through nuclear collaboration with Rosatom, which is currently working with Iran to construct reactor units at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, while also including provisions opposing international sanctions. | |
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Brazil has secured funding for a Nuclear Physical Security Training Centre, which will be housed at the Institute of Nuclear Engineering (IEN/CNEN) and aims to be fully operational within three years. The center will provide specialized training in physical protection systems for nuclear facilities, radioactive installations, and transport operations, with instruction from experts trained in the USA, Austria, and Russia. Supported by Brazil's National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN), the center will collaborate with international agencies such as the IAEA, WINS, and Rosatom Technical Academy to enhance nuclear security training in Brazil and Latin America.
Brazil’s government issued a license to Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) for decommissioning the Caldas uranium mine. INB said the next steps involve publishing the operating license and managing the requirements broken down into conditions in the license itself, to advance the decommissioning of the unit. Brazilian production at Caldas began in 1982 and supplied the needs of the Angra 1 Nuclear Power Plant for 13 years before closing production in 1995.
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North America Nuclear Collaborations and Policy | |
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NextEra Energy is taking steps to potentially restart its shuttered Duane Arnold Nuclear Power Plant in Iowa as early as 2028, as well as signing a new partnership with GE Vernova to develop natural gas generation projects that could be paired with renewable energy and storage. NextEra said it has filed a request with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to request a licensing change for the Duane Arnold facility, which it closed in 2020. NextEra added this is an important first step in establishing the regulatory pathway to restore the facility’s license and potentially restart plant operations.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced it is leading a bid for $800 million in funding under the Department of Energy’s Generation III+ Small Modular Reactor (SMR) Program. The initiative includes a coalition of industry partners, utilities, and research organizations that are aiming to accelerate the development of advanced nuclear technology in the United States. Some of these partners include Bechtel, BWX Technologies, and GE Hitachi. If granted, the funding would accelerate construction of the first SMR at TVA’s Clinch River site in Oak Ridge and set a target for commercial operation by 2033.
President Donald Trump has appointed David Wright as the new chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). A member of the NRC since 2018 and a former South Carolina utility regulator, Wright has long been vocal about the potential for a nuclear resurgence and has promoted the advancement and deployment of advanced reactors and small modular reactors (SMR). As the NRC chairman, Wright will be faced with challenges such as reorganizing the meet requirements of the ADVANCE Act, as well as whether reactor licenses should be extended to 80 years.
Advanced nuclear fuel company Lightbridge and nuclear power plant developer Oklo signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for a feasibility study in co-locating their planned fuel fabrication facilities and to explore potential for collaboration in recycling nuclear waste. Lightbridge is currently developing nuclear fuel for small modular reactors (SMR) with support from the Department of Energy through its Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear (GAIN) program. Oklo plans to build, own, and operate its Aurora powerhouse reactors which will range from 15 to 50 megawatts electrical.
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced it has successfully executed several significant high-impact tests at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center to advance the development of a nuclear thermal propulsion reactor technology for cislunar transportation and deep space missions. Tests were conducted to verify the ability of the GA-EMS nuclear fuel to meet the high-performance specifications required to meet the high-performance specifications required to withstand the extreme operational conditions in space. This testing is under a contract managed by the Battelle Energy Alliance and the Idaho National Laboratory.
Maritime nuclear innovation company CORE POWER is partnering with naval architecture company Glosten for the design of a floating nuclear power plant for U.S. ports. CORE POWER’s floating power plant concept entails a nearshore infrastructure system that includes a barge-based nuclear power plant, barge support services, and electrical grid integration. The plant is planned to supply an estimated 175 gigawatt hours of nuclear energy per year, allowing ports to achieve zero-emissions electrical generation for visiting ships, terminal cranes and equipment, and port vehicles.
President Donald Trump has selected Brandon Williams to head the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) pending confirmation by the Senate. Trump’s nominee for Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, told Exchange Monitor that he picked Williams personally for the position. Williams is a former one-term congressman from 2023 to 2025, where he sponsored two energy-related bills during the 118th Congress.
Researchers at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) successfully designed, 3D printed, and tested a crucial component for their High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). The “rabbit capsule” is a small container used to hold experimental materials during irradiation testing, allowing scientists to study how different materials behave under intense conditions inside a reactor core. This is the first time additive manufacturing has been used to create and qualify a component for use in a nuclear reactor.
Santee Cooper has launched a process seeking proposals to acquire and complete two partially constructed generating units at the VC Summer Nuclear Station in South Carolina in response to a renewed interest in new nuclear power. Santee Cooper has engaged Centerview Partners LLC to conduct a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking parties interested in acquiring the project and related assets and potentially completing one or both units. Santee Cooper voted to stop construction on Summer units 2 and 3 in 2017 after years of costly delays and then bankruptcy by its contractor.
The Minnesota House Energy Finance and Policy Committee approved a bill that would lift the state’s moratorium on new construction of nuclear power plants, as well as revise a handful of state law provisions regarding the use of renewable energy sources. The bill has been sent to the House Taxes Committee because one facet of the bill deals with expanding a sales tax exemption. Minnesota is currently home to one nuclear power plant at Monticello, which has two reactors.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the creation of an Advanced Nuclear Master Plan to meet the state’s growing energy demands. Scheduled for development between 2025 and 2026, the plan aims to thoroughly analyze the viability and readiness of various advanced nuclear technologies, as well as to explore policy options, the necessity of a robust supply chain, workplace development, and the potential economic impacts. Currently, nuclear power contributes over 20% of New York state’s total electricity output.
A Utah House committee advanced a bill that would create much of the legal framework necessary for nuclear power. House Bill 249 would create the Utah Nuclear Energy Council, establish a process for designating energy development zones, and create an energy development investment fund to help finance future projects. Utah Department of Natural Resources Executive Director Joel Ferry said the bill would enable Utah to have nuclear power deployed within the next decade.
A bill has passed through an Indiana state Senate committee that would allow tech companies to share the cost of building new nuclear reactors with the citizens of Indiana. The bill would create a pilot program to build up to two nuclear plants in Indiana, with sponsor Eric Koch stating that utilities could team up with a variety of stakeholders on these projects, including tech companies, military installations, and nuclear manufacturers. Utilities would also be allowed to pass along 20% of the cost of developing an advanced reactor to their customers.
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Aecon Group and AtkinsRéalis have been awarded a $2.1 billion contract by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) for early engineering and procurement work for the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station’s “B” units. The joint venture, known as CanAtom, will carry out work for Units 5, 6, 7, and 8 at the nuclear station, with the scope of work including engineering, procurement of long-lead components, and construction planning for the refurbishment. Based on OPG’s preliminary schedule, the entire refurbishment is anticipated to be completed by the mid-2030s.
United States based BWX Technologies (BWXT) secured over $693 million in contracts to support Ontario Power Generation’s nuclear projects, including the life extension of the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station and the deployment of a small modular reactor (SMR) at the Darlington site. As part of the agreements, BWXT will manufacture 48 steam generators for Pickering’s refurbishment and manufacture a reactor pressure vessel for GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR. The Pickering project is expected to be completed in the mid 2030s and will extend Pickering’s operation by 30 years and the BWRX-300 would be the first grid-connected SMR in a G7 nation.
The Advanced Nuclear Research Centre at the University of Strathclyde signed a memorandum of understanding with the Candu Owners Group and the University Network of Excellence in Nuclear Engineering to enhance UK-Canadian nuclear cooperation. The agreement, with a renewable five-year term, focuses on joint initiatives in nuclear research and development, education, knowledge management, and operational support.
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) have issued a Request for Expression of Interest to better understand market interest in licensing AECL’s Slowpoke and Nuclear Battery reactor technologies for commercialization opportunities. The request invites technology developers and other interested stakeholders to submit their insights and feedback about the innovative reactor designs and technologies. AECL’s Slowpoke technology is a family of low-pressure, pool-type reactors while AECL’s Nuclear Battery technology is a solid-state heat-pipe-cooled microreactor concept.
Ontario is exploring the development of a new large-scale nuclear facility at the Wesleyville site to meet rising energy demands, with Ontario Power Generation (OPG) conducting feasibility assessments. The 1,300-acre site, originally designated for an oil-fired plant in the 1970s, is already zoned for electricity development and could support up to 10,000 megawatts of nuclear generation. Officials emphasize that the project could contribute $163 billion to Ontario's GDP over the project life and add over 10,000 jobs.
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How Trump’s Executive Orders Could Tilt US Energy Markets
E&E News, January 23
Is Nuclear Energy the Answer to AI Data Centers’ Power Consumption?
Goldman Sachs, January 23
Seven Questions (And Expert Answers) About Trump’s First Actions to Transform US Energy
The Atlantic Council, January 22
Is a Plan for $100 Billion in AI Data Centers Pie in the Sky?
Neutron Bytes, January 22
How Will Solar and Nuclear Fit In? 5 Takeaways on Energy Future from TVA CEO Jeff Lyash
The Knoxville News Sentinel, January 22
Chris Wright: An Advocate for Human Prosperity
Real Clear Energy, January 21
The Federal Government Steps Up Support for Nuclear Power
Wood Mackenzie, January 17
Tripling Global Nuclear Energy Capacity Is in Reach – If the World Seizes the Moment
The Atlantic Council, January 15
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News items and summaries compiled by:
Patrick Kendall, Program Manager, Partnership for Global Security
Emily Day, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security
Jocelyn Livier, Della Ratta Fellow, Partnership for Global Security
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For twenty-five years the Partnership for Global Security (PGS) has developed actionable responses to global security challenges by engaging international, private sector, and multidisciplinary expert partners to assess policy needs, identify effective strategies, and drive demonstrable results.
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