The expansion of Plant Vogtle in Georgia — the largest U.S. nuclear plant — was plagued by delays and cost overruns. Mechanical issues like vibrating pipes and coolant pump failures, a contractor`s bankruptcy and disputes over financing pushed completion of its two new reactors seven years past schedule.The project ultimately cost $30 billion, more than double the original estimate, but when the two newest reactors opened in 2023 and 2024, they became the first new U.S. nuclear units in 30 years and the nation’s largest source of carbon-free energy.
After decades when U.S. nuclear plant development was put on ice, the energy source is now expected to play a major role in meeting the projected explosion of power demand from the mega data centers sprouting up like weeds across the U.S. due to the artificial intelligence boom. However, critics highlight nuclear energy`s safety risks, waste challenges and long construction timelines...
RSK: Still the number 1 problem for Data Centers is, they are power hungry. Nuclear is years away, wind and solar are not dependable but like gas powered turbines, they can come on line quickly. This article outlines all the risks and rewards for each.
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- - Volume: 26 - WEEK: 2 Date: 1/6/2026 1:51:05 PM -