Dr. Adam Stein
@astein.bsky.social
Energy, Risk, Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Research, Father. Director of Nuclear Energy Innovation at the Breakthrough Institute Alum. Carnegie Mellon EPP
America chose its nuclear waste site based on a cost estimate, by accident. There are lessons that must be applied before the next site evaluation.🔌💡
Large infrastructure projects don't fail because of a single bottleneck. They fail because approval is stratified across independent layers, with different definitions of risk, and non-substitutable approvals. My new report explains why solving one often just moves the problem. 🔌💡
Is there a "Reverse Information Paradox", as Satya Nadella suggests? He is half right, but only if you set a narrow scope—include firms, but exclude people.
Licensing microreactors and other low-consequence reactors took a major step. The NRC published a new proposed framework, called Part 57. I outline some of the major provisions here. The rule is open for public comment for the next 45 days. 🔌💡 thebreakthrough.org/issues/nucle...
Part 57: Right-Sizing Nuclear Regulation for Low-Consequence Reactors
thebreakthrough.org
The NRC renewed the license for Diablo Canyon Power Plant for another 20 years! This is a major milestone. Just a few years ago DCPP was set to retire under CA policy. Thanks to the work of many people, and the undeniable need for reliable power, DCPP was renewed instead. 🔌💡
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is working on a large volume of rulemakings. I created an NRC Rulemaking Tracker to help the public stay informed and engaged. It updates multiple times a day, and opportunities to submit public comments are highlighted. You can even download a pdf!
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission voted to issue the Construction Permit for TerraPower's first plant in Wyoming. The review was completed well ahead of schedule. This is a very positive step forward. 🔌💡 Read our comment here: thebreakthrough.org/press/releas...
Two new papers claim nuclear plants increase cancer risk. That sounds alarming. But they are not studies of radiation exposure. They are studies of geographic proximity and do not provide valid results. 🔌💡
DOE’s $2.7B for uranium enrichment is necessary, but it won’t solve the HALEU problem. The constraint was never technical capacity. It’s the absence of early, durable offtake. The U.S. can already produce HALEU at pilot scale. New piece www.breakthroughjournal.org/p/why-billio... 🔌💡
Why Billions for Uranium Enrichment Still Won’t Deliver Nuclear Fuel
Despite new federal spending, the missing ingredient for advanced nuclear power remains a buyer willing to commit early
breakthroughjournal.org
Ho Nieh was designated as the new Chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. thebreakthrough.org/press/releas...
In nuclear safety, we spend too much time chasing statistical ghosts—deploying studies that cannot resolve risk instead of governing the risks that actually matter. Today, @thebulletin.org published my article with PJ Seel on this exact problem.
I had the opportunity to contribute to the issue "The New Atomic Era" In Vanguardia Dossier alongside many thoughtful writers. While I don't agree with everything, this issue covers a lot of topics all in one place.
The NRC independence is being debated. However, most don’t understand the nature of the NRC’s independence or statutory history. In short, the NRC has never been fully independent from other parts of government; instead, it is built on layers of independence and oversight 🔌💡
If the US really wants to expand nuclear to 400GW nationwide by 2050, the US must secure enrichment ~5x-10x of current domestic capacity. This new report explores the potential future US + global nuclear fuel supply chain needs, from uranium enrichment to mining.🧵
States are trying to figure out how to accelerate the deployment of new nuclear energy. A lot can be done to pre-screen sites, but states aren't sure where to start. This new resource solves that problem with clear, actionable data topics. thebreakthrough.org/issues/nucle...
Guide to NRC Application Data Requirements for State Implementers
thebreakthrough.org
An $80b partnership with Westinghouse, Cameco, Brookfield, and the US government to build nuclear reactors. This will help to finance new large reactor builds and largely saturate the AP1000 supply chain. The $ comes from an economic agreement with Japan. www.ft.com/content/e8a5...
US government and Westinghouse strike $80bn nuclear reactor deal
Agreement that uses funding from Japan is part of Donald Trump’s push to quadruple country’s nuclear capacity by 2050
ft.com
Google and NextEra signed a 25-year agreement to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Iowa. The 615 MW plant is expected to deliver power in 2029. The Palisades nuclear restart has created a pathway for other plants to follow. on.ft.com/47ujULo
Google agrees deal to reopen US nuclear plant with NextEra
Duane Arnold Energy Center expected to start delivering power in 2029
on.ft.com
DOE was directed to create a reactor pilot program in EO 14301. We recommend that the program be used as intended, specifically for prototyping and testing designs, to improve later commercial products. There are several challenges that need to be addressed. thebreakthrough.org/issues/nucle...
Making DOE's Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program Work
thebreakthrough.org
The NRC issued a license today to DISA Technologies to use its system to remediate abandoned uranium mines. This is a very positive step toward addressing mines that were improperly handled decades ago, mostly for weapons production.
Palisades nuclear plant officially returned to operational status today after receiving appropriate approvals from the NRC. This is the first plant to officially transition from decommissioning status back to operational. Truly blazing a trail for other restarts to follow.
I was honored to be part of the planning committee for the recent @nationalacademies.org workshop Pathways for New Nuclear Deployment. There are new opportunities for building next-generation reactors to produce reliable, clean energy. However, significant, but solvable, barriers remain.
How do you make pie charts worse? By making them hexagons instead! Sorry EPRI, great report, but this is a chart crime.
A first PPA by a utility for power from a Gen IV nuclear plant was announced today. @kairospower.bsky.social will sell power to TVA for use by Google. The Hermes 2 project will change to a single reactor and increase to 50 MWe, operational in 2030. kairospower.com/external_upd...
Google, Kairos Power, TVA Collaborate to Meet America's Growing Energy Needs - Kairos Power
Google and Kairos Power to deploy first advanced nuclear plant in Tennessee Valley under order book agreement
kairospower.com
Thanks to @kbrigham.bsky.social for letting me help with this article. There is a lot of optimism right now and announcements. Those announcements still have challenges ahead before they turn into reactors. The market should expect some to drop out, just like other sectors.
Heatmap News@heatmap.news · last yr.“This year is by far the biggest year in terms of nuclear deals that has occurred, probably, since the 70s,” @astein.bsky.social tells @kbrigham.bsky.social. It's not your imagination. Nuclear deals are through the roof ⬇️
Ho Nieh is nominated to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Neih was the former Director of the NRC Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, and is currently working for Southern Company and INPO. www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Nominations Sent to the Senate
Thomas Albus, of Missouri, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri for the term of four years. Timothy Dill, of Ohio, to be an
whitehouse.gov
Commissioner Caputo resigned from the NRC a year before her term ends. This is a loss as her votes were substantive, and she was willing to identify issues that others were not and push for improvements, rather than simply accepting the status quo. thebreakthrough.org/press/releas...
🏗️Trilled to finally introduce ACTION, to accelerate nuclear energy deployment. It is a milestone-based program to address the root causes of project risk for advanced nuclear energy projects. 🔌💡
🚨New paper out on reconsidering the radiation protection model at the NRC. The paper discusses what science indicates, what it cannot demonstrate, and how policy is separate but informed by science. We recommend a pragmatic, tiered approach that aligns with other hazards. 🔌💡
