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All articles tagged with #energy and technology

NRC Grants First US Construction Permit for BWRX-300 Small Reactor
energy-and-technology16 days ago

NRC Grants First US Construction Permit for BWRX-300 Small Reactor

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved the Tennessee Valley Authority’s construction permit for a 300-megawatt BWRX-300 small modular reactor at the Clinch River site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This marks the first such permit for this specific reactor design in the United States and the second for any commercial reactor in nearly a decade. The approval allows TVA to begin construction, though a separate operating license is required before fuel loading. The project is part of a broader push to secure reliable, low-carbon power for the growing AI data center sector, with TVA potentially building up to four units at the site.

via TechSpot|
#ai-infrastructure#energy-and-technology#ge-vernova-hitachi
energy-and-technology19 days ago

General Matter Aims to Revive U.S. Nuclear Enrichment Using SpaceX Methodology

General Matter, a startup led by former SpaceX employee Scott Nolan, is attempting to revive the U.S. nuclear enrichment industry by applying agile startup principles to a traditionally slow, government-regulated sector. The company has secured $900 million in federal funding and aims to double domestic production of enriched uranium by 2029, reducing reliance on Russian imports. While supporters praise its speed and bipartisan backing, critics worry that prioritizing rapid deployment over established safety cultures could compromise nuclear security.

via politico.com|
#energy-and-technology#general-matter#nuclear-power
energy-and-technology28 days ago

North Carolina Regulators Block Duke Energy Gas Plant for Amazon Data Center

Republican commissioners on the North Carolina Utilities Commission rejected a $500 million natural gas plant proposed by Duke Energy to power a massive Amazon data center near Charlotte. The decision, issued on Friday, cited President Trump’s voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge, arguing that Duke failed to prove how everyday consumers would be shielded from the costs of the 250-megawatt facility. While the rejection is not permanent and allows for reapplication, it marks a rare instance of the commission denying a Duke gas project. Meanwhile, Amazon has secured permits to operate nearly 600 diesel generators temporarily while the facility connects to the grid, drawing criticism from local residents and environmental groups over potential air pollution and health risks.

via Politico|
#amazon#data-centers#duke-energy
energy-and-technology1 month ago

Governors pivot to community benefit agreements as data center backlash intensifies

Facing mounting public opposition to energy-intensive AI facilities, Democratic governors in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan are adopting community benefit agreements (CBAs) as a regulatory tool. These legal contracts require developers to commit to local hiring, pollution limits, and infrastructure investments in exchange for community support. While Pennsylvania’s executive order mandates CBAs for state permit review, critics argue the approach is an imperfect stopgap that lacks the enforceability of strict moratoriums or comprehensive zoning laws.

via Politico|
#community-benefit-agreements#data-centers#energy-and-technology
Bluecore Energy’s Floating Nuclear Reactors Face Regulatory Hurdles at Port of Long Beach
energy-and-technology1 month ago

Bluecore Energy’s Floating Nuclear Reactors Face Regulatory Hurdles at Port of Long Beach

Startup Bluecore Energy has partnered with the Port of Long Beach to develop floating small modular reactors (SMRs) to power port operations and potentially cities. The project, which aims to replace diesel generators with emission-free energy, faces significant regulatory hurdles, including California's 1976 nuclear moratorium and unresolved waste disposal issues. While the port seeks to meet zero-emission goals by 2050, critics and residents raise safety concerns, and no commercial SMRs are currently operational in the US.

via Los Angeles Times|
#bluecore-energy#california#energy-and-technology