Nuclear plants gain new life as AI demand for energy rises

AI's skyrocketing energy consumption is driving investment in nuclear power plants, with utilities like Constellation Energy and Vistra reactivating dormant plants to meet demand.

Jeff Sommer reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Utilities with nuclear plants are experiencing stock surges due to contracts with AI companies like Microsoft and Amazon.
The reopening of nuclear facilities like Three Mile Island and potential reactivation of other plants reflect AI's insatiable energy needs.
Older power plants, including coal-fired ones, are being considered anew as AI-driven energy demand outpaces renewable energy development.

Key quote:

“This is a problem that is getting bigger and bigger.”

— Jesse Dodge, senior researcher at the nonprofit Allen Institute for A.I.

Why this matters:

As AI expands, its energy demands may push utilities to prolong the use of nuclear and fossil fuel plants, raising environmental concerns. Finding sustainable, safe energy sources to power AI’s growth is critical to limiting its ecological impact.

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

Nuclear plants gain new life as AI demand for energy rises

Britain shuts down its last coal power plant, ending an era

Flooding in Nepal leaves over 190 dead

Trump targets Biden and Harris over hurricane response in Georgia visit

Leonard Leo’s group criticizes efforts to educate judges on climate issues

Political debate over U.S. Steel sale ignores public health and environmental risks

Nickel exploration ramps up in Michigan and Minnesota amid rising EV battery demand

UN food agency criticized for not revising livestock emissions report

LISTEN: Mokshda Kaul on making the clean energy transition work for all

“Coalitions become this interesting way to create buy-in.”

Op-ed: Is plastic the biggest climate threat?

A plastics treaty for the climate and health must address overproduction of plastics and head off the petrochemical and plastic industry’s planned expansion.

Residents say Pennsylvania has failed communities after state studies linked fracking to child cancer

Last year Pennsylvania Department of Health studies showed increased risk of childhood cancer, asthma and low birth weights for people living near fracking. Advocates say not enough has been done since.

The fossil fuel industry is disproportionately harming low-income and minority women: Report

“Women, in all of their diversity, must be at the center of climate and energy decision-making.”

Op-ed: People need shelter from climate change — their health hangs in the balance

The discourse on climate resilience must include affordable housing policy solutions.

As Biden prepares to block the sale of U.S. Steel to Nippon Steel, pollution concerns persist in Pennsylvania

“Pennsylvania steel communities have lived with dangerous air quality for generations. That needs to end.”