Nuclear future should be built in the U.S., Sen. Lummis says

Sen. Cynthia Lummis praised the NRC's approval of a construction permit for TerraPower's Kemmerer sodium‑cooled reactor in Wyoming and urged rebuilding the domestic uranium and nuclear supply chain rather than relying on foreign suppliers.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis argues the United States should develop next‑generation nuclear capacity at home rather than cede it to foreign competitors. She pointed to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's recent construction permit for TerraPower's Kemmerer sodium‑cooled reactor in western Wyoming as evidence that projects can move forward domestically. The piece links rising electricity demand, driven in part by growth in artificial intelligence, to the need for reliable baseload power. Lummis highlighted Wyoming's uranium resources and local workforce as assets for rebuilding a U.S. nuclear supply chain. Key points: - The Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a construction permit for TerraPower's Kemmerer sodium‑cooled reactor in western Wyoming, the article reports. - The article states U.S. electricity demand rose about 3% in 2024 and that the EIA projects nearly a trillion more kilowatt‑hours will be needed in the coming years. - The article notes Wyoming holds the country's largest uranium deposits and has mining and energy workforces experienced in those industries. - The piece says Sen. Lummis led a congressional effort to ban purchases of uranium from Russia and that current administration officials are working to rebuild domestic uranium and nuclear supply chains. - The article reports that China and Russia have increased nuclear construction and are seeking to export reactor technology, with China described as having over 30 new plants underway. Summary: Lummis framed the Kemmerer approval as positioning Wyoming and the United States to expand domestic nuclear capacity to meet rising energy needs and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains. Undetermined at this time.