NRC Approves Construction Permit for Bill Gates-Backed Nuclear Reactor in Wyoming
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted a construction permit to TerraPower for a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor in Wyoming, marking the first such approval in eight years. The $4 billion plant, supported by Bill Gates, aims to start construction within weeks and is expected to be completed by 2030. This advanced reactor design utilizes molten sodium as a coolant and is intended to produce energy for up to 400,000 homes.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a construction permit for TerraPower to build a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor in Wyoming, the first commercial reactor permit issued in eight years. Construction is slated to begin shortly, with completion of the up to $4 billion facility targeted for 2030.
The 345-megawatt reactor, located near Kemmerer, is designed to produce up to 500 megawatts at peak capacity. This marks the NRC's first approval for a non-light-water reactor in over 40 years. The plant will utilize molten sodium instead of water as a coolant, aiming to generate less nuclear waste than traditional reactors. The project has received bipartisan interest amid rising electricity demands, particularly for data centers.




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