tech
January 26, 2026
New-wave reactors are the face of an American nuclear renaissance. Some experts are sounding alarms
On the sandy shores of Lake Michigan, set against a backdrop of thick forest, a sharp-angled grey concrete building could be the face of an American nuclear renaissance.
TL;DR
- The Palisades nuclear plant, decommissioned in 2022, is being revived by Holtec to host the first commercial Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in the US.
- SMRs are smaller, potentially cheaper, safer, and faster to build than conventional nuclear reactors, appealing to tech companies for data center power.
- Companies like Holtec and Kairos Power are in a race to develop and deploy SMRs, attracting significant investment and government funding.
- Experts express both optimism about SMRs' potential for clean energy and concerns regarding high costs, long development timelines, and fuel supply issues.
- The success of SMRs will depend on their ability to compete economically with other energy sources and prove their safety and efficiency.