{
  "id": 4958242,
  "title": "Major U.S. Oil Port Selected for Nuclear Power Project",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/01/major-u-s-oil-port-selected-for-nuclear-power-project",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-01T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "OilPrice",
    "slug": "oilprice",
    "url": "https://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Nuclear-Power/Major-US-Oil-Port-Selected-for-Nuclear-Power-Project.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The U.S. government has chosen the ports of Corpus Christi and Long Beach to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) into their operations. This push aims to bolster the utilization of nuclear power across various sectors and advance the technology's development. SMRs boast quicker installation times, flexible locations, lower construction costs, and the ability to scale incrementally to accommodate increasing energy needs. However, implementing this technology in practice has been a complex and costly endeavor. NuScale, a company slated to construct the U.S.'s first SMR, abandoned the project due to a lack of interest amidst rising electricity prices.\n\nDespite this setback, the Trump administration remains committed to expanding the role of nuclear energy in the country's energy mix. The administration is investigating floating nuclear power plants, drawing inspiration from the success of nuclear systems utilized in naval applications. Acting Director of the Marine Mineral Administration, Matt Giacona, highlighted the potential of submerged reactor systems as a dependable source of energy for demanding marine environments. While no commercial deployment in the Outer Continental Shelf is planned or approved yet, the technology could significantly enhance the nation's energy security.\n\nLong Beach, responsible for handling $300 billion worth of cargo each year, and Corpus Christi, a major oil and fuel export terminal exporting $80 billion worth of fuel in 2024 alone, were chosen for the project due to their significance in U.S. trade. The goal of integrating SMRs at these ports is to ensure the resilience of critical Gulf Coast maritime supply chains against contingencies, including extreme weather and power grid disruptions. Additionally, the project seeks to train the next generation of high-skilled American mariners. The Maritime Administration, a division under the Department of Transportation, is leading the small modular reactor project.\n\nAs wind and solar power have gained popularity, nuclear power has seen a resurgence due to the limitations of intermittent energy sources. Nuclear energy is now being recognized as a crucial element in the global energy mix to meet emission reduction targets without plunging the world into energy poverty. The International Energy Agency supports nuclear power, acknowledging wind and solar alone cannot meet the forecasted surge in electricity demand, even with the aid of batteries. The Persian Gulf crisis has further fueled interest in nuclear expansion, providing a reliable, domestically sourced electricity alternative.",
  "summary": "The port of Corpus Christi has become one of two ports selected for a project aimed at integrating small modular reactors in a bid to expand the use of nuclear power in more industries—and propel SMR technology forward. Small modular reactors are all the rage, at least on paper. They can be installed more quickly than conventional nuclear reactors, and their locations can be more flexible. They…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}