Nuclear regulators have recently given the green light to a new kind of nuclear reactor, the small modular reactor. A recent article in The Urbanist explains the case for a nuclear-powered urbanism.
Shaun Kuo provides news and commentary about innovation in the nuclear power sector that might position nuclear power as a resource for the goals of urbanism.
First, the news: The "Department of Energy recently approved a multi-year cost share award of up $1.355 billion to a new entity, the Carbon Free Power Project, to demonstrate and deploy a 12-module small modular reactor (SMR) power plant," according to Kuo. That funding award follows additional news from August that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission gave first-ever design approval for an SMR for a power plant expected to be built by 2029. NuScale Power designed the 720-megawatt plant, and Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems (UAMPS), which owns the Carbon Free Power Project, hopes to begin construction on the SMR by 2025 at its planned location at the Idaho National Laboratory.
"UAMPS will be distributing energy from the plant to their participating public power utility customers in Utah, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wyoming. UAMPS CEO noted that this project will complement and enable additional intermittent renewable energy, wind and solar that are a growing part of the agency’s portfolio," according to the article.
After explaining how SMRs differ from the nuclear reactors of history, Kuo ties those distinctions to a question of density, and suggests that SMRs enable a community-level approach to the future deployment of nuclear power. "Whether or not SMRs fit into the niches demanded by our urban areas, it will have to depend on the needs of each community to develop energy portfolios," writes Kuo.
Read the full story: An Urbanist Case for Small Nuclear Power Reactors
Small-Scale Nuclear Power Dealt Major Setback
The company that made history in January when its 'small modular nuclear reactor' became the first in the nation to receive certification from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has canceled it due to financial reasons.
Georgia Makes Clean Energy History in U.S.
The first newly constructed nuclear power plant to generate electricity in the U.S. in over 30 years began operation in Waynesboro, Georgia on July 31.
Legislature Extends $1.4 Billion Lifeline to California's Last Operating Nuclear Power Plant
A bipartisan bill, fiercely opposed by many in the environmental community, would keep the Diablo Canyon Power Plant operating beyond 2025. The bill received overwhelming approval after it was amended to shorten the duration of the extension.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
Satanic place names
From streams and lakes to valleys and canyons, I mapped more than 1,000 places named after the Devil.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority