68
War & Conflict3h 30m ago

The Trump administration is advancing discussions with companies to transform Cold War-era plutonium into fuel for new nuclear reactors, aiming to meet the power demands of the U.S. data center surge.

Archive Window: 7 Days Left

WASHINGTON, U.S.

Who
Trump administration, U.S. Department of Energy, Ross Matzkin-Bridger, U.S. Representative Bill Foster, Bonita Chester (Oklo spokesperson), Carl Perez (Exodys Energy CEO), Greg Piefer (SHINE Technologies CEO), Ernest Moniz
What
The Trump administration is advancing discussions with companies to transform Cold War-era plutonium into fuel for new nuclear reactors, aiming to meet the power demands of the U.S. data center surge.
When
Mon, 15 Jun 2026 10:05:59 GMT · 3h 30m ago
Where
WASHINGTON, U.S. ·
Why
This initiative is part of a multi-pronged strategy to ensure sufficient power for the U.S. data center boom and address the long-standing issue of storing surplus plutonium.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

The plan to convert weapons-usable plutonium into reactor fuel could provide energy for the U.S. data center boom, but it carries significant risks, including extensive delays, exorbitant security costs, and the potential for a grapefruit-sized amount of plutonium to be used in an atomic weapon.

Story chain

2 events in this thread
  1. War & Conflict3h 30m ago
    The Trump administration is advancing discussions with companies to transform Cold War-era plutonium into fuel for new nuclear reactors, aiming to address the burgeoning power demands of the U.S. data center industry.
    Open article
  2. Currently Reading3h 30m ago
    The Trump administration is advancing discussions with companies to transform Cold War-era plutonium into fuel for new nuclear reactors, aiming to meet the power demands of the U.S. data center surge.

Verified Sources & Citations