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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

South Texas Nuclear Outage May Raise Natural Gas Costs

LCG, May 8, 2003Analysts project that Texas natural gas prices may increase because of the prolonged shutdown of a nuclear plant called South Texas Project.

Centerpoint Energy-owned South Texas Project normally is capable of producing 1,250 megawatts, but the generator was pulled off line due to worrisome corrosion on the bottom of the reactor vessel.

Almost two thirds of the states electric capacity comes from natural gas-fired sources, and some generator owners are concerned about gas prices as the hottest months of the year draw near.

According to the Dow Jones Newswires, an estimated additional 10 billion cubic feet per month will be used in order to compensate for power lost due to South Texas shutdown.

The plants corrosion is especially foreboding because the reactor is fairly young and has yet to show any sign of true malfunctioning. If nothing is found out of place in the generators system, the implication will be that corrosion of this type is due to normal wear - not something a plant owner wants to hear.

Corrosion is often induced by the acidic conditions in the reactor vessel. Boric acid, commonly used during the reaction, unfortunately also aids in oxidizing the metal and can help to form holes in the reaction vessel. Holes in the bottom of the vessel are especially difficult to repair.

Recently several other reactors have been found to have cracks and corrosion-related damage, including a Florida Power & Light reactor, Duke Powers Oconee Unit 3 in South Carolina, and last year, FirstEnergys Davis-Besse reactor in Ohio.

The generator will be kept off line until thorough investigations are made, possibly through the summer or longer.

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