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NuScale Power Achieves Standard Design Approval from NRC for 77 MW SMR

LCG, May 30, 2025--NuScale Power Corporation (NuScale), a leading provider of advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, yesterday announced that it has received design approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for its uprated 77 MW power modules. NuScale states that it remains the only SMR technology company with design approval from the NRC, and the company remains on track for deployment by 2030, with 50- and 77-MW SMR options.

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EIA Presents Analysis of California's Solar and Wind Power Curtailment Challenges

LCG, May 29, 2025--The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released an analysis yesterday showing that the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), the grid operator for most of the state, is increasing its curtailment of the rapidly growing solar- and wind-powered generation facilities in order to balance electricity supply and demand, which is necessary to maintain a stable electric system.

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Industry News

FERC Extends California Power Talks

LCG, Jan. 5, 2001A Federal Energy Regulatory Commission administrative law judge said yesterday that he would extend into today talks involving California utilities, independent power producers and regulators. The talks are aimed at permitting utilities to enter into long-term contracts for power they deliver to retail electricity customers.

Judge Curtis Wagner said he would convene a third day of talks today, but would not disclose what progress had been made in the first two days of discussions. "We're a lot better off than we were yesterday (Wednesday)," he said.

One of the biggest problems with the deregulated California electric market, FERC found, is a requirement that all wholesale power purchases and sales in the state must be made through the California Power Exchange. At the time the restructuring act was passed in 1996, this seemed like a good idea in that it would provide transparency to the power market.

It turned out, however, that not allowing the utilities to enter into long-term power purchases to cover their native loads resulted in them going into the last-minute "spot" market for their power needs, paying the highest prices in a volatile market.

To make matters worse, the California Independent System Operator published in advance profiles of peak demand power needs. Without the need for collusion, power producers were able to hold back on bidding power into the market until the market was desperate for power. Then they could charge just about any price they wanted.

Judge Wagner was hopeful that from today's discussions he might achieve "an agreement between parties on how to proceed."

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