Igunma

American Nuclear Society member Thompson Odion Igunma is a doctoral candidate in materials science and engineering at the University of Florida (UF) conducting research in collaboration with the Computational Mechanics and Materials Group at Idaho National Laboratory. His work focuses on advanced modeling of the complex interplay between molten salt corrosion, irradiation, and changes in alloy microstructure.

“I see molten salt reactors as a pivotal part of the next generation of nuclear energy,” Igunma said. “Their unique combination of safety, efficiency, and fuel flexibility makes them ideally suited to complement renewables in a low-carbon energy mix.”

Kairos Power has finalized a contract with the Department of Energy to receive high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) from the agency for the company’s Hermes low-power demonstration reactor, currently under construction in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

In partnership with Los Alamos National Laboratory, Kairos intends to use the DOE-provided material to produce HALEU TRISO fuel pebbles for Hermes. The company views the Hermes test reactor and the fuel fabrication program as crucial to the eventual success of its power-producing Hermes 2 demonstration plant, also to be sited in Oak Ridge, and future commercial fluoride salt–cooled high-temperature reactors.

Earlier today, TEPCO announced that after nearly 15 years, Unit 6 at the Kashiwazaki Kariwa nuclear power station has been restarted. Following approval from Japan’s Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA), TEPCO withdrew the reactor’s control rods to initiate startup at 7:02 p.m. local time.

Next, the company will work with the NRA to confirm the safe operation of the plant. “We will carefully verify the integrity of each and every plant facility while suitably addressing any issues that arise and conveying information to the public during each step of the startup process,” TEPCO’s statement said.

On January 16, Tenn. Gov. Bill Lee, Deputy Gov. Stuart McWhorter, and officials from Laser Isotope Separation Technologies announced the company’s plans to expand in Oak Ridge, Tenn. That expansion will come with a $1.38 billion investment from LIS Technologies for what the company says will be the first commercial laser uranium enrichment plant in the United States.

London-based professional services organization and maritime classification society Lloyd’s Register has brought together a group of experts from the U.K. nuclear, maritime, insurance, and regulatory sectors with the primary goal of establishing international standards “for safe, secure, and commercially viable nuclear-powered ships.”

This Maritime Nuclear Consortium includes Lloyd’s Register as the group’s lead, safety administrator, and secretariat; Rolls-Royce, specializing in advanced reactor design; Babcock International Group (ship design, construction, and support); Global Nuclear Security Partners (security and safeguards); Stephenson Harwood (legal and regulatory issues); and NorthStandard (insurance).

Utah-based EnergySolutions announced on January 15 that it has submitted a notice of intent to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, confirming that the company plans to submit an application for a “major licensing action” for new nuclear generation at the closed Kewaunee nuclear power plant in Wisconsin. Applications for an early site permit, construction permit, or combined license are currently being evaluated, the company said.

On January 15, in an 82–14 vote, the U.S. Senate passed an Energy and Water Development appropriations bill to fund the U.S. Department of Energy for fiscal year 2026 as part of a broader package that also funded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

On January 16, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico signed an intergovernmental agreement to cooperate on the development of Slovakia’s civil nuclear power program. This agreement spans a variety of civil nuclear activities, but especially notable is the inclusion of a plan to develop an American 1,200-MWe commercial power reactor at Bohunice nuclear power plant.

Hash Hashemian
president@ans.org

In November, I flew to Paris, France, to speak at the World Nuclear Exposition. This wasn’t my first time at WNE, but it’s safe to say that the 2025 Expo was markedly different from years past. Excitement was palpable, and attendance was high—there were more than 25,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors. This enthusiasm reflects the growing nuclear momentum across Europe.

My opening remarks at the expo spotlighted the similar nuclear momentum on this side of the Atlantic, focusing on the recent strides made by both U.S. industry and government. I also highlighted the key challenges we still face: namely, workforce development, supply chains, fuel, and financing.

Pfluger

Levin

Rep. Mike Levin (D., Calif.) and Rep. August Pfluger (R., Texas) are urging Energy Secretary Chris Wright to establish a safe, effective, and long-term management program for spent nuclear fuel. In a January 15 letter to Wright, the two U.S. representatives asked the DOE to “break the current impasse over nuclear waste and develop a workable solution that encourages state collaboration.”

The letter was sent ahead of the DOE’s anticipated release of a new report that will recommend an updated national policy on spent nuclear fuel, as directed in Executive Order 14302, “Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base.”