Dr. Adam Stein
@astein.bsky.social
Energy, Risk, Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Research, Father.
Director of Nuclear Energy Innovation at the Breakthrough Institute
Alum. Carnegie Mellon EPP
Director of Nuclear Energy Innovation at the Breakthrough Institute
Alum. Carnegie Mellon EPP
In nuclear safety, we spend too much time chasing statistical ghosts—deploying studies that cannot resolve risk instead of governing the risks that actually matter.
Today, @thebulletin.org published my article with PJ Seel on this exact problem.
Today, @thebulletin.org published my article with PJ Seel on this exact problem.
January 2, 2026 at 7:13 PM
In nuclear safety, we spend too much time chasing statistical ghosts—deploying studies that cannot resolve risk instead of governing the risks that actually matter.
Today, @thebulletin.org published my article with PJ Seel on this exact problem.
Today, @thebulletin.org published my article with PJ Seel on this exact problem.
I had the opportunity to contribute to the issue "The New Atomic Era" In Vanguardia Dossier alongside many thoughtful writers. While I don't agree with everything, this issue covers a lot of topics all in one place.
December 23, 2025 at 9:40 PM
I had the opportunity to contribute to the issue "The New Atomic Era" In Vanguardia Dossier alongside many thoughtful writers. While I don't agree with everything, this issue covers a lot of topics all in one place.
The NRC independence is being debated. However, most don’t understand the nature of the NRC’s independence or statutory history.
In short, the NRC has never been fully independent from other parts of government; instead, it is built on layers of independence and oversight 🔌💡
In short, the NRC has never been fully independent from other parts of government; instead, it is built on layers of independence and oversight 🔌💡
December 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The NRC independence is being debated. However, most don’t understand the nature of the NRC’s independence or statutory history.
In short, the NRC has never been fully independent from other parts of government; instead, it is built on layers of independence and oversight 🔌💡
In short, the NRC has never been fully independent from other parts of government; instead, it is built on layers of independence and oversight 🔌💡
If the US really wants to expand nuclear to 400GW nationwide by 2050, the US must secure enrichment ~5x-10x of current domestic capacity.
This new report explores the potential future US + global nuclear fuel supply chain needs, from uranium enrichment to mining.🧵
This new report explores the potential future US + global nuclear fuel supply chain needs, from uranium enrichment to mining.🧵
November 6, 2025 at 9:17 PM
If the US really wants to expand nuclear to 400GW nationwide by 2050, the US must secure enrichment ~5x-10x of current domestic capacity.
This new report explores the potential future US + global nuclear fuel supply chain needs, from uranium enrichment to mining.🧵
This new report explores the potential future US + global nuclear fuel supply chain needs, from uranium enrichment to mining.🧵
States are trying to figure out how to accelerate the deployment of new nuclear energy. A lot can be done to pre-screen sites, but states aren't sure where to start. This new resource solves that problem with clear, actionable data topics. thebreakthrough.org/issues/nucle...
Guide to NRC Application Data Requirements for State Implementers
thebreakthrough.org
October 30, 2025 at 4:24 PM
States are trying to figure out how to accelerate the deployment of new nuclear energy. A lot can be done to pre-screen sites, but states aren't sure where to start. This new resource solves that problem with clear, actionable data topics. thebreakthrough.org/issues/nucle...
An $80b partnership with Westinghouse, Cameco, Brookfield, and the US government to build nuclear reactors. This will help to finance new large reactor builds and largely saturate the AP1000 supply chain. The $ comes from an economic agreement with Japan. www.ft.com/content/e8a5...
US government and Westinghouse strike $80bn nuclear reactor deal
Agreement that uses funding from Japan is part of Donald Trump’s push to quadruple country’s nuclear capacity by 2050
www.ft.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:14 PM
An $80b partnership with Westinghouse, Cameco, Brookfield, and the US government to build nuclear reactors. This will help to finance new large reactor builds and largely saturate the AP1000 supply chain. The $ comes from an economic agreement with Japan. www.ft.com/content/e8a5...
Google and NextEra signed a 25-year agreement to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Iowa. The 615 MW plant is expected to deliver power in 2029. The Palisades nuclear restart has created a pathway for other plants to follow. on.ft.com/47ujULo
Google agrees deal to reopen US nuclear plant with NextEra
Duane Arnold Energy Center expected to start delivering power in 2029
on.ft.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Google and NextEra signed a 25-year agreement to restart the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Iowa. The 615 MW plant is expected to deliver power in 2029. The Palisades nuclear restart has created a pathway for other plants to follow. on.ft.com/47ujULo
DOE was directed to create a reactor pilot program in EO 14301. We recommend that the program be used as intended, specifically for prototyping and testing designs, to improve later commercial products. There are several challenges that need to be addressed. thebreakthrough.org/issues/nucle...
Making DOE's Nuclear Reactor Pilot Program Work
thebreakthrough.org
October 3, 2025 at 6:36 PM
DOE was directed to create a reactor pilot program in EO 14301. We recommend that the program be used as intended, specifically for prototyping and testing designs, to improve later commercial products. There are several challenges that need to be addressed. thebreakthrough.org/issues/nucle...
The NRC issued a license today to DISA Technologies to use its system to remediate abandoned uranium mines. This is a very positive step toward addressing mines that were improperly handled decades ago, mostly for weapons production.
September 30, 2025 at 9:03 PM
The NRC issued a license today to DISA Technologies to use its system to remediate abandoned uranium mines. This is a very positive step toward addressing mines that were improperly handled decades ago, mostly for weapons production.
I just received my copy
September 4, 2025 at 7:39 PM
I just received my copy
Palisades nuclear plant officially returned to operational status today after receiving appropriate approvals from the NRC. This is the first plant to officially transition from decommissioning status back to operational. Truly blazing a trail for other restarts to follow.
August 27, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Palisades nuclear plant officially returned to operational status today after receiving appropriate approvals from the NRC. This is the first plant to officially transition from decommissioning status back to operational. Truly blazing a trail for other restarts to follow.
I was honored to be part of the planning committee for the recent @nationalacademies.org workshop Pathways for New Nuclear Deployment. There are new opportunities for building next-generation reactors to produce reliable, clean energy. However, significant, but solvable, barriers remain.
August 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I was honored to be part of the planning committee for the recent @nationalacademies.org workshop Pathways for New Nuclear Deployment. There are new opportunities for building next-generation reactors to produce reliable, clean energy. However, significant, but solvable, barriers remain.
How do you make pie charts worse? By making them hexagons instead! Sorry EPRI, great report, but this is a chart crime.
August 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
How do you make pie charts worse? By making them hexagons instead! Sorry EPRI, great report, but this is a chart crime.
A first PPA by a utility for power from a Gen IV nuclear plant was announced today. @kairospower.bsky.social will sell power to TVA for use by Google. The Hermes 2 project will change to a single reactor and increase to 50 MWe, operational in 2030. kairospower.com/external_upd...
Google, Kairos Power, TVA Collaborate to Meet America's Growing Energy Needs - Kairos Power
Google and Kairos Power to deploy first advanced nuclear plant in Tennessee Valley under order book agreement
kairospower.com
August 18, 2025 at 8:51 PM
A first PPA by a utility for power from a Gen IV nuclear plant was announced today. @kairospower.bsky.social will sell power to TVA for use by Google. The Hermes 2 project will change to a single reactor and increase to 50 MWe, operational in 2030. kairospower.com/external_upd...
Thanks to @kbrigham.bsky.social for letting me help with this article. There is a lot of optimism right now and announcements. Those announcements still have challenges ahead before they turn into reactors. The market should expect some to drop out, just like other sectors.
“This year is by far the biggest year in terms of nuclear deals that has occurred, probably, since the 70s,” @astein.bsky.social tells @kbrigham.bsky.social.
It's not your imagination. Nuclear deals are through the roof ⬇️
It's not your imagination. Nuclear deals are through the roof ⬇️
The Nuclear Power Dealmaking Boom Is Real
Thank data center developers and, yes, Trump.
heatmap.news
August 7, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Thanks to @kbrigham.bsky.social for letting me help with this article. There is a lot of optimism right now and announcements. Those announcements still have challenges ahead before they turn into reactors. The market should expect some to drop out, just like other sectors.
Ho Nieh is nominated to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Neih was the former Director of the NRC Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, and is currently working for Southern Company and INPO. www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Nominations Sent to the Senate
Thomas Albus, of Missouri, to be United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri for the term of four years. Timothy Dill, of Ohio, to be an
www.whitehouse.gov
July 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Ho Nieh is nominated to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Neih was the former Director of the NRC Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, and is currently working for Southern Company and INPO. www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Commissioner Caputo resigned from the NRC a year before her term ends. This is a loss as her votes were substantive, and she was willing to identify issues that others were not and push for improvements, rather than simply accepting the status quo. thebreakthrough.org/press/releas...
July 30, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Commissioner Caputo resigned from the NRC a year before her term ends. This is a loss as her votes were substantive, and she was willing to identify issues that others were not and push for improvements, rather than simply accepting the status quo. thebreakthrough.org/press/releas...
🏗️Trilled to finally introduce ACTION, to accelerate nuclear energy deployment. It is a milestone-based program to address the root causes of project risk for advanced nuclear energy projects. 🔌💡
July 17, 2025 at 6:43 PM
🏗️Trilled to finally introduce ACTION, to accelerate nuclear energy deployment. It is a milestone-based program to address the root causes of project risk for advanced nuclear energy projects. 🔌💡
🚨New paper out on reconsidering the radiation protection model at the NRC. The paper discusses what science indicates, what it cannot demonstrate, and how policy is separate but informed by science. We recommend a pragmatic, tiered approach that aligns with other hazards. 🔌💡
July 16, 2025 at 3:18 PM
🚨New paper out on reconsidering the radiation protection model at the NRC. The paper discusses what science indicates, what it cannot demonstrate, and how policy is separate but informed by science. We recommend a pragmatic, tiered approach that aligns with other hazards. 🔌💡
Returning Palisades and a few other nuclear power plants to operation is technically feasible, the lowest possible environmental impact, the fastest path to clean firm power, and a regulatory pathway is being constructed. 🔌💡 www.eenews.net/articles/mot...
Mothballed nuclear plant on brink of revival
Michigan's Palisades plant is planning to turn on again this fall after Democrats and Republicans got behind the project — but it's not free from
www.eenews.net
July 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Returning Palisades and a few other nuclear power plants to operation is technically feasible, the lowest possible environmental impact, the fastest path to clean firm power, and a regulatory pathway is being constructed. 🔌💡 www.eenews.net/articles/mot...
The projected date to finish the Construction Permit for the first TerraPower reactor is now the end of 2025, 8 months early. This demonstrates both the slack in the existing NRC process, and the potential to improve efficiency while not "cutting corners" on the technical review
July 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
The projected date to finish the Construction Permit for the first TerraPower reactor is now the end of 2025, 8 months early. This demonstrates both the slack in the existing NRC process, and the potential to improve efficiency while not "cutting corners" on the technical review
Major changes were made to the NRC FY 2025 fee recovery rule to implement reduced fees for advanced reactors, based on our substantive comments and several others.
June 24, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Major changes were made to the NRC FY 2025 fee recovery rule to implement reduced fees for advanced reactors, based on our substantive comments and several others.
The Breakthrough Institute and Good Energy Collective support the renomination of David Wright to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission www.breakthroughjournal.org/p/the-wright...
The Wright Man for the Job
David Wright Is a Great Choice to Lead at the NRC
www.breakthroughjournal.org
June 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
The Breakthrough Institute and Good Energy Collective support the renomination of David Wright to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission www.breakthroughjournal.org/p/the-wright...
The NRC prevailed on the Interim Storage of spent fuel. The Supreme Court found that Texas and Fasken Land and Minerals did not meet the standard of an aggrieved party and overturned the decision of the 5th Circuit court.
June 18, 2025 at 3:22 PM
The NRC prevailed on the Interim Storage of spent fuel. The Supreme Court found that Texas and Fasken Land and Minerals did not meet the standard of an aggrieved party and overturned the decision of the 5th Circuit court.
Update since last night, David Wright was renominated. It's unlikely that the Senate could process his nomination before his term ends, which will lead to a gap. Typically, commissioners will wait on votes if a colleague is expected to return, slowing down the commission.
June 17, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Update since last night, David Wright was renominated. It's unlikely that the Senate could process his nomination before his term ends, which will lead to a gap. Typically, commissioners will wait on votes if a colleague is expected to return, slowing down the commission.