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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

$2.52 Million Fine Proposed in Fatal Pipeline Blast

LCG, June 22, 2001The Research and Special Programs Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has proposed a $2.52 million civil penalty against an El Paso Corp. unit for safety violations that led to a natural gas pipeline explosion in New Mexico last August, killing 12 people.

The proposed fine, largest ever against a natural gas pipeline firm, follows a DOT investigation that charged El Paso with several safety violations, including use of the pipeline to transport "corrosive gas on numerous occasions without taking proper preventive and mitigative steps."

The DOT also accused El Paso of failing to ensure that qualified personnel perform internal corrosion procedures to ensure pipeline integrity and neglecting to follow procedures for continuing surveillance of its facilities, which would have led to action to control collection of liquids at low points where corrosion could occur.

On August 19 last year, the pipeline exploded near Carlsbad, N.M. The resulting ball of fire incinerated all 12 members of two families as they slept, camped nearby on a fishing trip.

El Paso has said it did not believe it committed any violations. "Certainly it was a very regrettable accident but we don't believe it was caused by any violations or procedures that may or may not have been performed on our part," said Norma Dunn, an El Paso spokeswoman.

Edward Brigham, acting deputy administrator of the Research and Special Programs Administration, said "We must do everything we can to prevent the loss of life from pipeline failures. The penalties we seek in this case reflect the importance of comprehensive integrity management programs."

El Paso will have 30 days in which to either pay the fine or seek a close-door hearing on the allegations.

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