As cooperatives explore ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining reliability and affordability, one option is nuclear energy. Traditional light water reactors remain the standard, but the industry is evolving, with a growing focus on smaller, more scalable devices. NRECA is monitoring and reporting on nuclear industry developments and encourages members to follow the work of—and participate in—nuclear industry support groups.
The following are resources related to this topic. Revisit this web page for updates.
- Surveillance Article: The State of Nuclear Power 2025
Responding to rising energy demand and greater interest in nuclear power, the nuclear industry has recently taken actions to rejuvenate the existing U.S. nuclear fleet. Meanwhile, numerous U.S. companies are developing advanced nuclear reactor technologies, including small modular reactors and microreactors. In this Surveillance article, learn more about the current state of nuclear power and how it offers an important option for co-ops to consider in their long-range resource planning.
- 2022 Surveillance Article Series
This article series examines nuclear technology as of 2022, including U.S. and Canadian nuclear fleets, the benefits and challenges of nuclear energy, nuclear provisions in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, and co-op perspectives on the role of nuclear energy in their fuel portfolios.
Article 1: A Comeback for Nuclear Energy
Article 2: Light Water SMRs In Development
Pique Interest of Co-ops,
North American Utilities
Article 3: Advanced Non-Light Water SMRs
Face Fuel Supply Constraints on
Path to Demonstration
Article 4: The Market for Advanced
Microreactors Is Likely to Grow
- RE Magazine Cover Story - November 2022
The RE Magazine cover story highlights cooperatives exploring the potential of small modular reactors and microreactors as a long-term generation option.
- Podcast - December 2022
This Along Those Lines podcast features NRECA's Dan Walsh in a conversation about SMRs and microreactors with Copper Valley Electric Association's Travis Million.
