This week, the Office of Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it would make $900 million available to support the deployment of small modular nuclear reactors.  

In the announcement, DOE forecast soaring U.S. electricity demand from continued data center growth and artificial intelligence dominance, and it pointed to small modular reactors as reliable power sources for these industries.  

While nuclear energy deployment has had its ups and downs in recent years, it has emerged as a potentially vital player in the push to sustainably and reliably power data centers and AI.  

Some of the largest and most exciting technology companies in the world have begun to turn their attention towards nuclear energy – and small modular reactors in particular – as a reliable way to fuel their energy demands as artificial intelligence technologies continue to advance. Additionally, as a clean energy source, nuclear power is increasingly attractive to tech companies looking to bring down their emissions.  

Late last year, Google announced an agreement to purchase 500 megawatts of power from a series of small modular nuclear reactors built by Kairos Power, a California-based nuclear energy company that also houses a research and development center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  

“The grid needs new electricity sources to support AI technologies that are powering major scientific advances, improving services for businesses and customers, and driving national competitiveness and economic growth,” Google said in a statement. “Nuclear solutions offer a clean, round-the-clock power source that can help us reliably meet electricity demands with carbon-free energy every hour of every day.” 

Shortly after Google’s announcement, Amazon entered an agreement with Energy Northwest in Washington to develop four small modular reactors initially totaling 320 megawatts of power with the option to increase to 960 megawatts – enough to power 770,000 homes.  

The agreement with Energy Northwest will support 1,000 construction jobs and more than 100 permanent jobs after the reactors are completed.  

In Wyoming, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates’ company, TerraPower, is moving forward with construction of its 345-MW nuclear reactor near Kemmerer. 

Other western companies like Oregon’s NuScale have continued to move the needle on small modular nuclear reactor technology and capacity.

Additionally, Oklo, a California-based nuclear energy company backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is actively working to deliver power from small modular reactors around the West. The company has agreements with companies like Switch, the Las Vegas-based company that runs AI, cloud, and data center infrastructure.  

It has also partnered with Prometheus Hyperscale (formerly Wyoming Hyperscale) on a 20-year power purchase agreement to help power its data centers.  

Western Governors are working to incorporate small modular reactors into their vision for the country’s energy future, including in WGA Policy Resolution 2025-01, Energy in the West.  

“Western Governors are committed to considering advanced and small modular reactors as a reliable and emission-free energy resource,” reads the bipartisan policy resolution. Read more about Western Governors’ bipartisan energy policy here.  

Leave it to beaver: Last month, experts and volunteers helped release five beavers into the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in Oregon, reports Oregon Public Radio.

Over the past six years, local groups have been making the area more hospitable to beavers by planting willow stakes and building structures on the landscape that emulate beaver dams. 

Wildlife managers are increasingly recognizing beavers as “keystone species,” thanks to their ability to restore wetland ecosystems and improve landscape health and resilience.  

In the newest episode of WGA’s Out West Podcast, hear from beaver experts and land mangers about beavers' effects on the western landscape, including wildfire risk reduction, increased biodiversity, water retention, and flood mitigation.  

First permits to rebuild in LA: the City of Los Angeles crossed an important milestone earlier this month when it approved its first permits for rebuilding homes after the Palisades Fire in January.  

The LA Times reports that the city has issued two permits for full rebuilds and one for repairs to a damaged home, with the first coming less than two months after the fires. Local leaders and Governor Gavin Newsom have worked to streamline the permitting and regulatory processes for rebuilding in the area.  

“We will not let overly strict regulations get in the way of rebuilding these communities,” said Governor Newsom. “The state stands with its local partners to ensure that we cut red tape and make recovery as easy as possible.” 

Artificial intelligence education: a new collaborative initiative between the State of Utah and NVIDIA aims to equip Utah’s higher education and adult education systems with resources to help students develop new skills in generative artificial intelligence. 

As AI technologies continue to advance, the initiative seeks to create a competitive advantage for Utah’s education system by equipping educators with cutting-edge AI skills and technologies.  

“AI will continue to grow in importance, affecting every sector of Utah’s economy,” said Governor Spencer Cox. “We need to prepare our students and faculty for this revolution. Working with NVIDIA is an ideal path to help ensure that Utah is positioned for AI growth in the near and long term.”  

190 new affordable homes: in Colorado, Governor Jared Polis helped break ground on 190 new affordable housing units in Denver last week.  

In addition to 190 new units, the effort will include a new health clinic focused on serving American Indian/Alaska Native individuals and families.  

“In Colorado, we are committed to expanding housing options Coloradans can afford and expanding healthcare coverage that is accessible and affordable. It is initiatives like this that will help us reach Colorado’s housing goals and save people money on their healthcare. I look forward to seeing the new homes, and continuing our work to reduce costs and deliver more housing for all Coloradans,” said Governor Polis. 

Texas solar: Austin-based T1 Energy recently announced that it will build an $850 million solar manufacturing facility in Texas. The new plant plans to build 5 gigawatts of solar cells and create up to 1,800 jobs in the process. 

The company estimates that the facility will be one of the largest solar manufacturing plants in the country once completed.  

Currently, Texas produces the second largest amount of solar in the country, with 31,700 GWh per year.