France Gravelines Nuclear Plant Shuts Down Jellyfish Swarm

Europe is facing significant challenges due to climate change, exemplified by a heatwave driving water temperatures up and causing jellyfish swarms that disrupted operations at France's Gravelines nuclear power plant, forcing multiple reactor shutdowns. EDF has been working to restart these reactors, with no reported safety impacts, while similar jellyfish-related disruptions have been documented in other countries. In the U.S., nuclear energy is undergoing a resurgence propelled by recent executive reforms and legislation like the ADVANCE Act, which streamlines licensing and promotes advanced reactor deployment to meet rising electricity demand and enhance competitiveness. NuScale Power's small modular reactor recently received a key regulatory milestone, signaling progress in scalable nuclear technology. Meanwhile, the U.K. is grappling with nuclear submarine reactor issues following the closure of the Naval Reactor Test Establishment, shifting from empirical testing to computer modeling, which has raised concerns about reactor reliability and program delays. These developments illustrate the multifaceted challenges and advancements in nuclear technology amid environmental pressures and geopolitical dynamics.