Nuclear commissioner says small reactors could power TRI

Brad Crowell, Commissioner of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, discussed on "Nevada Newsmakers" the possibility of data centers in Northern Nevada, specifically at the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center (TRI), powering their facilities with small modular nuclear reactors. This solution aims to alleviate concerns from opponents who fear data centers will strain the power grid, cause blackouts, increase energy bills, and deplete water resources in the driest state. Crowell mentioned that some major hyperscalers are already exploring co-locating new nuclear power plants near their data centers. Mike Luther, chairman at Elemental Nuclear, stated that a commercially viable nuclear micro-reactor could be operational by 2030 or 2031, though Crowell noted this is an aggressive timeline. The NRC is currently receiving numerous applications for these advanced reactors, driven by the higher-than-expected power demands of data centers and AI. Crowell emphasized the NRC's role as a safety regulator, ensuring the safe and secure deployment of nuclear energy. Regarding water usage, a significant concern for data center opponents, Crowell noted that while traditional nuclear reactors use water for cooling, new technologies for smaller reactors could utilize elements like helium gas, molten salt, or liquid metal, drastically reducing water requirements. The Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center already serves as a model for sustainable water use, with a 16-mile, $100 million pipeline supplying reclaimed water from the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation Facility to its data centers, including Switch, and other manufacturing companies. Kris Thompson, former TRI project manager, confirmed that companies purchasing parcels at TRI agreed to use reclaimed water for cooling, minimizing impact on aquifers. Despite the safety record of modern nuclear power, concerns persist due to past accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima. Crowell, who assisted in the Fukushima aftermath, stressed the importance of stringent safety regulations and expressed worry that current pushes to accelerate deployment might compromise the quality of these regulations. He also addressed nuclear waste management, stating that advanced reactors' waste would likely be handled through traditional methods like dry cask storage. While Nevada's congressional delegation has not yet engaged the NRC on micro-reactors for the data center sector, the long-standing political battle against the Yucca Mountain nuclear-waste repository could be a significant hurdle for any future nuclear energy development in the state.