US may revive some shut nuclear plants to help meet emissions goal, energy chief says

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https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-may-revive-some-shut-nuclear-plants-help-meet-emissions-goal-energy-chief-2024-06-05/

US may revive some shut nuclear plants to help meet emissions goal, energy chief says

By Timothy Gardner
June 5, 2024 5:03 PM UTC · Updated 4 hours ago

WASHINGTON, June 5 (Reuters) - The United States could revive some of its recently retired nuclear power plants to help meet rising demand for zero-emissions electricity, or add reactors to existing sites, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in an interview.

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The Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO) in March issued a $1.52 billion conditional loan to Holtec International to reopen the shut Palisades reactor in Michigan, which could become the first nuclear plant in the country to restart after being shuttered. The plant, which closed in 2022, now needs approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which oversees nuclear safety

[...].

Granholm said she would be surprised if the LPO wasn't talking to operators of other shuttered plants around the country about reopening as well. She did not name any, and said she is not involved in LPO's talks.

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Granholm said U.S. nuclear energy capacity could also be expanded in a cost-effective way by building new reactors at existing sites. She said about 30 power plant sites across the U.S. have been licensed or permitted for the construction of more reactors.

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[CoopersDad]

1. Glad to hear this news. California extended the license for Diablo Canyon....

And it's a sensible move. We also have the world's largest grid-scale battery storage site with another on the drawing boards.

Aside from energy and conservation, meeting demand without fossil fuels needs an all of the above approach.