All U.S. nuclear reactors, which currently provide more than half of the nation’s carbon-free power, are first- or second-generation light water reactors. This means they use water as both a coolant and neutron moderator to control the nuclear reaction and produce useful electricity. However, the growing need for more clean energy is prompting scientific experts,...
The University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources was recently selected to receive $7.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management to lead a regional coalition expanding a domestic critical mineral and materials supply. The project, totaling more than $10.1 million, will assess the carbon ore, rare earth...
President Joe Biden’s administration plans to streamline permitting for geothermal energy development as part of a broader executive order to boost infrastructure for AI data centers, according to people familiar with the matter. Officials aim to publish the rules within the next week, according to the people, but the timing remains subject to change. The...
“Advancing the technologies that will build the future of human connection—including the next wave of AI innovation—requires electric grids to expand and embrace new sources of reliable, clean, and renewable energy,” Meta commented.
A new federal lawsuit may finally unleash nuclear energy’s potential. On Dec. 30, Texas and Utah, along with the startup company Last Energy, sued to force the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to stop breaking the law and start letting small, modular nuclear reactors operate without crushing overregulation. This could be the most consequential legal challenge to America’s nuclear...
Constellation Energy has been awarded a record $1 billion in contracts to supply nuclear power to the U.S. government over the next decade, the company said on Thursday. Constellation, the country’s largest operator of nuclear power plants, will deliver electricity to more than 13 federal agencies as part of the agreements with the U.S. General...
US outgoing President Joe Biden has signed a bi-partisan bill into law allowing Arizona utility Salt River Project (SRP) to construct a pumped hydro energy storage project. SRP has been considering expanding its pumped storage projects on Arizona’s Salt River reservoir system. It has evaluated two potential sites for such facilities above Apache Lake. The...
The California Public Utilities Commission has approved $722.6 million in ratepayer costs to cover the continued operation of the Diablo Canyon Power Plant — the state’s only functioning nuclear energy source. The plant was scheduled to begin shutting down in November, but its lifespan was extended in a last-minute legislative deal struck by Gov. Gavin...
Hanwha Corp’s Qcells said on Wednesday it had made a breakthrough in an emerging solar technology that has the potential to reduce the amount of space required by panels that generate power from the sun’s rays. Space is among the most pressing issues for the rapidly growing solar power industry, which has encountered growing opposition...
In 2017, I met the CEO of a major German manufacturing company. The CEO was envious of the U.S. and its position as an energy powerhouse. Our development of oil and gas had made energy so abundant and affordable that he was exploring opportunities to open new manufacturing facilities in the U.S. On the Senate...
