"Billions of dollars in capital are currently flowing into dozens of companies chasing new kinds of nuclear technologies. These are small modular designs that can potentially be mass produced in the hundreds or even thousands. Their proponents say these advanced designs promise to deliver megawatts of power safely and cheaply. But there's a problem, Joseph Dominguez, the CEO of Constellation Energy, told the president."
"New nuclear plants keep getting caught up in safety regulations. "Mr. President, you know this because you're the best at building things," Dominguez, whose company runs about a quarter of America's existing nuclear reactors, said. "Delay in regulations and permitting will absolutely kill you. Because if you can't get the plant on, you can't get the revenue." Now, a new Trump administration program is sidestepping the regulatory system that's overseen the nuclear industry for half a century."
Executives and investors are pouring billions into new small modular reactor (SMR) designs that could be mass-produced and supply megawatts of power at lower cost. Industry leaders warn that regulatory delays and permitting constraints threaten project viability and revenue timelines. The Department of Energy has launched a Reactor Pilot Program to fast-track private firms' construction of untested reactor designs, aiming for at least three test reactors operational by July 4, 2026. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission will play only a consultative role while the DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy leads the effort and has sought academic volunteers to accelerate safety reviews. Concerns remain about reduced direct NRC oversight.
Read at www.npr.org
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