S'abonner

United States: License extension for Dresden reactors

The license renewal application for the Dresden nuclear units could extend their operation to 2049 and 2051, supported by legislative reforms in Illinois.

Share:

Prolongation licence nucléaire Dresden Clinton

Dresden’s nuclear reactors could operate until 2051 following a license renewal application, supported by Illinois’ recent energy policies. Submission of the license renewal application to the NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) initiated a detailed regulatory review that will take place over several years, including on-site inspections, environmental reviews and public participation. This process will be divided into two parts: one for safety issues and the other for environmental issues.

History and background of the Dresden units

The Dresden reactors, two boiling water reactors, went into commercial operation in 1970 and 1971. They have already benefited from a first license renewal by NRC, allowing them to operate until 2029 and 2031. An early closure had been envisaged in November 2021 if political reforms had not been adopted in Illinois.

Legislative support and impact of the Inflation Reduction Act

In September 2021, Illinois passed legislation valuing the zero-carbon benefits of nuclear power, allowing both facilities to receive credits that prevented their premature closure. The Inflation Reduction Act, passed the following year, also supported the continued operation of the US nuclear fleet for at least nine years.

Statement by Joe Dominguez, President of Constellation

Joe Dominguez, President and CEO of Constellation, emphasized the importance of nuclear power in American clean energy production, noting that the extension of operational licenses will contribute more to the grid than all the renewables already built in the United States. He also highlighted Constellation’s annual investments in its nuclear fleet to maintain these essential “economic engines”.

In February, Constellation also applied for a 20-year license renewal for its Clinton nuclear power plant in Illinois, marking the first license renewal for this unique boiling water reactor, in commercial operation since 1987 and currently licensed until April 2027.

  • Populaires ​
Czech Republic hit by massive power outage disrupting the economy
Donald Trump significantly increases US tax credits for carbon capture
EDF postpones Calvados wind farm to 2027 due to faulty drilling tool
Gabon reactivates deep offshore blocks to stem oil decline
Egypt accelerates El-Dabaa national grid connection for 2026
EnergyX acquires 35,000 acres of US lithium from Pantera Lithium
Energy Exploration Technologies acquires Daytona Lithium, an Australian subsidiary of Pantera Lithium, for AUD40mn ($27mn), bringing its strategic lithium basin footprint in Smackover, USA to nearly 50,000 acres.
Canada: CCSN approves the ARC-100 reactor design review
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.
Lithuanian nuclear operator SE Ignalina signs agreement with Newcleo
SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
Egypt: Supplementary agreements signed for the El Dabaa nuclear power plant
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra obtains approval to extend Perry nuclear plant operations
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
EDF injects €1.3 billion into Sizewell C, its second British EPR
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
France: Cigéo nuclear waste underground storage project makes significant progress
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.
EDF launches its nuclear Technocentre in Fessenheim, estimated investment of €450 million
EDF confirms the continuation of its industrial project in Fessenheim for recycling very low-level radioactive metals, a first in France requiring specific regulatory authorizations, following a public debate concluded last February.
NANO Nuclear signs strategic agreement with UrAmerica on Argentine uranium
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. formalizes its collaboration with UrAmerica Ltd. to strengthen Argentina’s uranium supply, aiming to secure future nuclear fuel supply chains for the U.S. market.
SHINE and Standard Nuclear form strategic partnership on recycled fuel
American companies SHINE Technologies and Standard Nuclear partner to recycle uranium and plutonium, supplying advanced fuel to the nuclear reactor sector and enhancing the national energy security of the United States.
Floating nuclear power plants evaluated to supply Mediterranean regions
The American Bureau of Shipping and two nuclear sector companies are studying the potential deployment of floating nuclear power plants to meet the energy needs of island and coastal regions in the Mediterranean, notably via electricity and desalination.
Lithuania explores nuclear option with small modular reactors
Lithuania establishes a working group tasked with assessing the feasibility of modular nuclear reactors to meet electricity demand estimated at 74 TWh by 2050.
Framatome wins two major contracts to extend Belgian nuclear operations
Framatome has secured two significant contracts from Electrabel covering modernisation and technical support for the Tihange 3 and Doel 4 nuclear reactors, as part of their extension agreed upon between Engie and the Belgian government.
EDF postpones restart of Flamanville EPR to August 13
EDF extends Flamanville EPR's shutdown to August 13 to conduct technical checks on three valves of the reactor's primary circuit, initially scheduled to resume production this week.
United States selects Westinghouse and Radiant to test their nuclear microreactors
The US Department of Energy has selected Westinghouse and Radiant Nuclear to conduct the first nuclear microreactor tests at the DOME experimental centre located in Idaho, with operational start expected in spring 2026.
GE Vernova and Fortum launch major nuclear project in Scandinavia
GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Fortum announce partnership aimed at preparing for the potential deployment of small modular reactors in Finland and Sweden, with commissioning scheduled for the 2030s.
Energy Fuels extracts 638,700 pounds of uranium at Pinyon Plain mine
Energy Fuels Inc. announced record production of 638,700 pounds of uranium during the second quarter of 2025 at its Pinyon Plain mine in Arizona, significantly surpassing initial site performance forecasts.
Argentina and Peru strengthen cooperation in civil nuclear sector
Argentina and Peru have signed an agreement expanding their scientific and technological cooperation in the civil nuclear field, including joint research projects and specialised training programmes for future development.
World Bank resumes nuclear financing after decades of absence
After several decades without funding nuclear projects, the World Bank has formed a strategic partnership with the IAEA to provide technical and financial support to countries integrating nuclear energy into their energy strategies.
Seoul approves definitive decommissioning of South Korea’s first nuclear reactor
South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission officially validates the decommissioning of reactor number one at the Kori plant, initiating an unprecedented project for the national industry scheduled to last until 2037.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING