The numbers: If you think the grid squeeze is tight now, just wait. Data centers could contribute around 9-15% of the country’s electricity use by decade’s end, according to a new Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report. Their power consumption already jumped by 14% between 2023 and 2024—and while the hardware has grown more efficient, the demand keeps piling up.

The caveat: This study is based on current industry trends…and it doesn’t model possible future shifts (like changing markets, supply chains, and regulation).

What happened: The commission has proposed “sweeping changes” to fast-track the development of US nuclear fuel infrastructure. These shifts “would modernize regulations governing the production, storage, use and security of nuclear materials,” the NRC wrote. For example, the commission wants to create a specific licensing process for spent fuel reprocessing facilities.

The background: This effort stems from President Trump’s 2025 executive order calling for an NRC overhaul. His goal is to quadruple domestic nuclear capacity by 2050 and “produce lasting American dominance in the global nuclear energy market.” 

The deal: The tech titan has inked a 20-year PPA with Chevron to fuel a planned data center in West Texas, which is set to receive its first power in 2028. This could become one of the country’s biggest projects of its kind.

The demand: The data center would gobble up enough electricity to power two million homes. But Chevron is optimistic it’ll have extra power to send to the grid, CNBC reported. 

Meanwhile in Virginia, state Democrats have agreed to put a temporary two-year tax on data centers, which would cost the industry roughly $600M annually. (But data centers pull in $2B from sales tax exemptions each year.) The potential tax is part of a budget agreement that still needs approval from other state officials and Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

Nvidia claims its latest AI servers can cool off with liquid warmer than most hot tubs. This would cut down reliance on additional chilling equipment, slashing energy and water use. But Nvidia’s system would likely take years to scale—and in the meantime, many facilities will likely continue running on less efficient tech.

The background: In April, the commission pressed pause on new solar for Duke this year. The reasoning? The officials said they need time to figure out the state’s broader energy strategy. A month later, clean energy groups asked the commission to reconsider this “capricious” order, which they said would stifle clean capacity in coming years while demand skyrockets.

The latest: Now, the same organizations are taking their fight to a county court—and they’re asking the judge to halt the commission’s order.

The Berkeley-based startup (which plans to develop SMRs a mile underground) has officially hit the Nasdaq…at more than 70% below the initial goal. But don’t take this as a lack of appetite for advanced nuclear: X-energy’s upsized, >$1B IPO marked the biggest nuclear market debut yet.