The US nuclear industry is seeing a resurgence in small modular reactors (SMRs). The Palisades Nuclear Plant in Van Buren County, Michigan, has been revived after being decommissioned in 2022. SMR-300 units are being constructed to co-locate with the existing plant.
Daywi Cook, township supervisor, says the area’s familiarity with nuclear energy and safety record have made residents more accepting of the technology. The SMRs will provide year-round economic stability for the county, which is known for its seasonal short-term rentals.
Industry experts like Zach Morris believe that SMRs are leading-edge and offer potential for widespread deployment in the 2030s. However, opinions vary on their readiness.
Insurance industry rates risk as low, according to Everett Hansen, who sees nuclear power plants as a safe bet due to their thorough design process and exhaustive loss modeling.
Professor Gilbert Michaud, however, believes that more planning and preparation protocols are needed for SMRs before widespread deployment, citing regulatory challenges and community acceptance issues.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/10/05/nuclear-power-modular-reactor-energy-demand-public-market-risks.html