🎉UK Unleashes Nuclear Revolution

🎉UK Unleashes Nuclear Revolution🎉

To jumpstart its nuclear energy sector, the UK government has announced new measures to accelerate the delivery of nuclear projects.

By scrapping the fixed eight-site rule—which previously limited approvals to only eight pre-designated sites—and removing expiry dates on nuclear planning permissions, the new framework clears the way for a surge in approvals across England and Wales.

Furthermore, the government’s changes aim to streamline the approval process, boost private investment, and accelerate construction timelines.

This reform is also set to pave the way for Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to be built for the first time in the UK, alongside traditional large reactors.

With global competitors like China and the EU rapidly expanding their nuclear capacities, these reforms position Britain to compete in nuclear innovation and secure a decarbonized, energy-independent future.

Check out the Q&A following the announcement here:

⚛️Cool Links

🔥A nuclear power plant is helping to reduce the chance of flooding along the Kankakee River. 
Will County is working with Constellation Energy to open one of three warm water pipes from the Dresden Generating Station to lower the chance of ice blockage in the river. The blockage can cause water to back up, leading to flooding upstream.

🦅Ten US states have created a coalition that will work together to deploy new nuclear.
A coalition of states that will make decisions about new nuclear will help deployment of affordable nuclear energy. Cost reduction will be achieved by constructing a large number of reactors of an agreed design.

🗳️German election frontrunners push for nuclear comeback.
The country's nuclear debate is back with a vengeance, with the conservative Christian Democrats leading the charge to revive atomic power ahead of an election they are expected to win on Feb. 23.

📄New report from CSIS Minerals: "Fueling the Future: Recommendations for Strengthening U.S. Uranium Security"
"Uranium is a crucial mineral for energy and national security that underpins today's economy and is key to propelling future growth to meet the surge in energy demand from artificial intelligence.

😝Trump Cancels Green Loans for Nuclear😝

President Trump is exploring legal options to cancel loans issued under a $400 billion program to finance clean-energy technology.

The initiative, originally set up under President George W. Bush, has already finalized over $60 billion in financing for projects ranging from grid modernization to battery factories.

The newly appointed director, John Sneed, is reportedly retooling the program to favor technologies such as nuclear power and liquefied natural gas.

While some loans may be canceled—especially those not yet disbursed—the feasibility of clawing back funds already spent remains unclear.

With nearly $47 billion in conditional commitments pending finalization, industry experts warn that these changes could cause significant uncertainty in the clean-energy sector but free up financing for nuclear energy projects.

😎The Nuclear Renaissance is Here😎

 Check out this video at 2:25 for this gem:

🤝KHNP Locks in 10-Year Uranium Deal🤝

Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has secured a major win for its nuclear fuel strategy by signing a 10-year enriched uranium supply contract with U.S.-based Centrus Energy.

This deal ensures a stable fuel supply for both existing and future nuclear power plants in South Korea.

Centrus is the only NRC-authorized producer of High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU), a critical fuel for next-generation reactors and SMRs.

After a successful initial production run in 2023, Centrus now produces 900 kgU annually.

KHNP President Hwang Joo-ho highlighted the significance of the agreement, stating, "This contract will play a significant role in strengthening South Korea's energy security by ensuring a reliable supply chain of enriched uranium."

🩺The Atomic Cancer Killer🩺

This week in Atomic Alternatives, the spotlight is on Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT)—a cancer treatment that harnesses the lethal power of alpha radiation.

TAT uses alpha-emitting isotopes, such as actinium-225 and lead-212 (derived from thorium-229), which are then chemically bound to a molecule that specifically targets cancer cells.

Once the tumor is found, the isotopes emit alpha particles that deliver an extremely high dose of radiation over a very short range. This causes critical, double-stranded DNA breaks in cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

The trick here is to utilize isotopes with sufficient energy to damage cancer cells and a half-life long enough to provide a therapeutic dose, without lingering too long to harm healthy tissue.

With its precise targeting and minimal side effects, TAT is paving the way for a new era in cancer treatment—offering renewed hope to patients battling resistant tumors.

TAT is already in use for certain cancers and is undergoing extensive clinical trials.

😂Meme of the Week

It's time for me to do a bit of nuclear fission—I'm splitting! Stay charged, and I'll catch you in the next issue of Nuclear Update!

Fredrik