«Данное сообщение (материал) создано и (или) распространено иностранным средством массовой информации, выполняющим функции иностранного агента, и (или) российским юридическим лицом, выполняющим функции иностранного агента»
Topic: Congress, and Nuclear Energy Blog Brand: Energy World Region: Americas, and Asia Tags: Department of Energy (DOE), Duke Energy, Fusion, North America, North Carolina, Nuclear Reactors, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Office of Fusion, Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), South Korea, and United States Nuclear Energy Now – Legislation Introduced to Establish the Office of Fusion January 2, 2026 By: Emily Day
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Nuclear Energy Now tracks the latest nuclear energy developments across technology, diplomacy, industry trends, and geopolitics.
South Korea Will Start Operation of a New Nuclear Reactor
South Korea’s Nuclear Safety and Security Commission has approved the start of operation for Saeul Unit 3, which has been under construction for a decade. The reactor, with a capacity of 1400 megawatts (MW), will start with a six-month pilot run and is the first new approval in approximately two years. The decision aligns with President Lee Jae-myung’senergy plan, which prioritizes expanding renewable energy sources and, in a change from his predecessor, keeps nuclear energy, but only through life extensions and the completion of reactors that are already under construction. However, he opposes new builds due to safety and waste management concerns, as well as long construction timelines. Still, nuclear energy makes up a significant portion of South Korea’s energy mix, with three additional reactors currently under construction. Bringing Saul 3 online will also help South Korea to reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels and strengthen its energy security, but it could complicate South Korea’s $100 billion, four-year energy purchase commitment with the United States, which centers on crude oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) imports.
Duke Energy Submits a Permit for Advanced Nuclear in North Carolina
After two years of work, Duke Energy announced that it had submitted an early site permit (ESP) to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for a site near the Belews Creek Steam Station in North Carolina. The current Belews Creek Steam Station is co-fired on coal and natural gas, but was originally built as a coal-fired plant. The two units, which have a total capacity of 2200 megawatts electric (MWe), are set to retire in the late 2030s, opening an opportunity to repurpose the site for nuclear generation.
The ESP application is “technology-neutral,” which will allow Duke Energy to select a technology later in the process, but the application included six potential technologies, including four small modular reactors (SMRs) and two non-light-water designs. Should SMRs be the most suitable option for the site, Duke Energy plans to add 600 MW of advanced nuclear energy by 2037, with the first SMR becoming operational in 2036. The ESP, while an optional process, will help to reduce the risk of delays during licensing and construction, and will be valid for 10 to 20 years, with the ability to renew it.
Legislation Introduced to Establish the Office of Fusion
Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) have introduced legislation to establish the Office of Fusion at the Department of Energy (DOE) following DOE’s announcement of internal reorganization. Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by House Fusion Energy Caucus co-chairs Don Beyer (D-VA) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA). The new office will work to advance President Donald Trump’s energy dominance agenda by strengthening fusion energy leadership to compete with China. The legislation specifically highlights Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) as an important player in advancing fusion energy, as in 2022, LLNL was the first lab to achieve fusion ignition. The bill builds on growing federal momentum around fusion, as earlier this year, DOE announced $134 million in investments aimed at advancing US fusion leadership. It also builds on prior bipartisan legislation from Padilla and Cornyn—the Fusion Energy Act—which was enacted as part of the Fire Grants and Safety Act. That law clarified the federal regulatory framework for commercial fusion by assigning oversight authority to the NRC.
About the Author: Emily Day
Emily Day is an experienced researcher, writer, and editor with expertise in geopolitics, nuclear energy, and global security. She is an associate editor of Energy World and Techland at The National Interest and a senior research associate at Longview Global Advisors, where she provides insights on global political and economic trends with a specialization in utilities, risk, sustainability, and technology. She was previously a Della Ratta Energy and Global Security Fellow at the Partnership for Global Security.
Image: Mehaniq/shutterstock
The post Nuclear Energy Now – Legislation Introduced to Establish the Office of Fusion appeared first on The National Interest.
Источник: nationalinterest.org