Wyoming celebrates 'nuclear renaissance' as feds approve license for a new reactor
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a license for Terra Power to build an advanced nuclear reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming, marking a step in a potential nuclear renaissance. The project, backed by Bill Gates and supported by federal funding, aims to supply clean energy to meet rising demand from data centers. Wyoming and other Rocky Mountain states are actively pursuing nuclear energy development, including new reactors and fuel cycle infrastructure.
- ▪The Nuclear Regulatory Commission granted final approval for Terra Power's advanced reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming, in March 2026.
- ▪Terra Power's reactor will use liquid sodium cooling and be largely underground, aiming to be operational by 2031 to power nearly 500,000 homes.
- ▪The Department of Energy's Infrastructure Law provided about $2 billion for the project, despite opposition from Wyoming's Republican senators.
- ▪Terra Power has agreements with META to build additional reactors for data center energy needs.
- ▪Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming are competing to become Department of Energy nuclear innovation hubs.
- ▪Nuclear energy currently supplies approximately 20% of the electricity on the U.S. grid.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
National Wyoming celebrates 'nuclear renaissance' as feds approve license for a new reactor May 2, 202612:01 AM ET Kirk Siegler Terra Power CEO Chris Levesque joined the Bill Gates-backed firm after years working in the legacy nuclear power industry which he says was slow to innovate. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR Kemmerer, WYO - The infamous Wyoming wind is whipping an American flag hoisted above the construction site of what's only the fourth nuclear reactor to be built in the U.S. this century, and one of the first in a new generation of advanced designs.
…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at NPR Topics: News.
Discussion
0 commentsMore from NPR Topics: News
