The US nuclear sector is moving through a period of renewal, marked by reactor restarts, new licensing activity, and rising demand from data centers. For the first time, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved the restart of a shuttered reactor, clearing Holtec Palisades plant in Michigan to return to service. Additional restart efforts are underway. Constellation is working to bring its Crane Clean Energy Center in Pennsylvania back online, the NRC has authorized new fuel storage at Three Mile Island Unit 1 as that plant seeks to rejoin the grid, and Duane Arnold is targeting a later restart.
Today fleet of 94 licensed reactors generates almost 20 percent of the nation electricity, and operators are extending plant lifespans while utilities and technology companies pursue new capacity. Much of the momentum traces to power demand from artificial intelligence data centers, which has prompted major companies to back the reopening of retired plants and to sign long term supply deals. Regulatory changes are supporting the shift, with federal programs and streamlined reviews aimed at speeding new nuclear onto the grid.
Analysts describe the moment as a reversal of the sector long decline, when plants were closing rather than reopening. The near term test is execution, since restarts and new builds require large capital, skilled labor, and secured fuel supply. The direction of policy and investment now points toward expansion.
Source: Spencer Fane - https://www.spencerfane.com/insight/nuclear-power-in-the-u-s-times-they-are-a-changin/