Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the Public Utility Commission of Texas have identified 61 possible sites across the state for new nuclear reactors. A recently-released state report on Advanced Nuclear Energy is hoping to bring in over $50 billion in new economic output to Texas, along with $27 billion in income for Texas workers.Governor Abbott announced the state's new plan, saying the plants would enhance the "reliability" of the state grid and provide "affordable, dispatchable power" to residents."Texas is the energy capital of the world, and we are ready to be No. 1 in advanced nuclear power," the governor added.The Nuclear Energy Institute defines advanced nuclear reactors as smaller, more efficient reactors that are safer to build and protect than the previous generation of reactors. Underground and underwater housing can be used for advanced reactors to greater endure natural disasters.Advanced nuclear designs have been used for the newly popular small modular reactors being built privately across the country by the likes of Amazon, Microsoft, and Oracle. States like Virginia and Maryland have become popular sites for SMRs and self-sustaining commercial campuses. Texas is already home to two nuclear plants that generate over five gigawatts of electricity, which makes up about 10% of the state's grid. The state report alleged that the two plants have already displayed "resilience during extreme weather." — (@) Of the 61 possible nuclear sites identified, 21 of them are closed or closing coal sites. The report stated that replacing the coal sites, which are typically seen as bad for the environment, would be just one puzzle piece in overcoming strong environmental regulatory hurdles.In order to garner approval for the plant builds, energy officials suggested appointing a Nuclear Permitting Officer to facilitate "tailored assistance to companies seeking to build advanced nuclear reactor operations in the state."Cool— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 18, 2024 The report pinpointed a possible $700 million in costs leading up to the building of advanced nuclear reactors, using estimations based on public funding that has been awarded in other states.This included $60 million to retain and attract supply chain companies and another $350 million for design and development of small nuclear reactors.About $100 million was awarded across Kentucky, North Carolina, and Wyoming for permitting and studies, along with $40 million in South Carolina for support of nuclear workforce development.While these costs are similar to what other companies have been spending on small modular reactors across the country, those are typically used to power a company's campus and/or data centers. This means that reactors meant to power the public at large would likely come at twice the cost, especially considering how much government oversight and appointed positions the state report has recommended.For example, computer technology company Oracle announced in early September its intention to build a 1-gigawatt data center campus powered by three small modular reactors.Therefore, about 15 small modular reactors would be required to match the five gigawatts of power (10% of the grid) put out by Texas' two existing plants. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Republican challenger Eric Hovde conceded the race to Democratic incumbent Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin on Monday. Hovde lost to the two-term incumbent by less than a percent, the AP called on November 6. Given the slim margins of the race, Hovde did not concede the race until over a week later. 'What is disheartening are the tactics used against me in this race.'"Nine months ago, I entered the race for the U.S. Senate because I love our country and I am deeply concerned about its direction," Hovde said in a video posted to X. "The results from election night were disappointing, particularly in light of the last-minute absentee ballots that were dropped in Milwaukee at 4 a.m., flipping the outcome," Hovde said. "I have heard from numerous supporters urging me to challenge the election results," Hovde said. "However, without a detailed review of all the ballots and their legitimacy, which will be difficult to obtain in the courts, the request for a recount would serve no purpose because you will just be recounting the same ballots regardless of their integrity. As a result, and my desire to not add to the political strife through a contentious recount, I decided to concede the election." Although Hovde ultimately conceded, he pointed to several tactics Democrats used that he said worked to "deceive" and "mislead" voters. Notably, Democratic operatives emboldened libertarian candidate Phillip Anderson and America First candidate Thomas Leager, who collectively drew in over 70,000 votes. "I am proud that we received more than 1.64 million votes, more than any Republican in Wisconsin history aside from President Trump's total on Tuesday night," Hovde said. "Furthermore, if not for Democratic operatives placing a phony America First candidate on the ballot to deceive voters and siphon off over 28,000 votes, I would have won this race." "Democratic operatives also supported a libertarian candidate through mail and other sources without his knowledge to strip votes away from me," Hovde continued. "Are these actions to deceive and mislead voters strengthening and protecting our democracy? Any fair-minded person would say no." Hovde also described several "disheartening" tactics used against him in the race. Hovde detailed the protests that took place outside his home before he even entered the race, mentioned "phony" lawsuits launched against his companies, and the millions of dollars' worth of ads that made "false claims" about him. "Senator Baldwin's campaign focused on getting voters to hate me," Hovde said. "Sadly, our current political system is broken," Hovde continued. "Instead of candidates debating issues and addressing voters concerns, campaigns are now about raising money, often from special interest groups, and launching attack ads with no basis in truth."Hovde closed his message by thanking his supporters and outlining his plan to move forward. "After running from morning to night for nine months and leaving it all on the field, I will take a much-needed break, then return to my businesses and foundation and find other ways to make a positive impact," Hovde said. "One thing is certain. I will always fight for the country and state that I love and work to restore the American dream. Thank you."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Last week, Blaze News covered a story about a FEMA supervisor named Marn’i Washington who was fired due to a released report accusing her of ordering relief agents under her authority to avoid homes with Trump signs in Lake Placid, Florida. According to Washington, however, she was merely the scapegoat for FEMA’s broader discriminatory policies. “FEMA preaches avoidance first, and then de-escalation. This is not isolated. This is a colossal event of avoidance. Not just in the state of Florida. You will find avoidance in the Carolinas,” Washington said on a podcast, during which she explained that FEMA at large tends to avoid homes with Trump signs for fear of aggression. Jill Savage and Blaze News editor in chief Matthew Peterson invite Rachel Bovard, vice president of Conservative Partnership Institute, on the show to discuss the situation. “Is this problem bigger than just one employee at FEMA?” Jill asks. “This is the way the government has been operating for the last four years,” says Bovard. FEMA has “taken direction from the president of the United States, who stood in front of Independence Hall two years ago and said, ‘Anyone who supports Donald Trump is an extremist.”’ “All of the ideologues in the bureaucracy were activated to essentially make that statement by the president their government policy,” she explains. “When you think about the mission that FEMA is supposed to represent, they are supposed to be there to help Americans at the worst point in their lives, and here we have that agency ... putting partisan politics ahead of it all.” Matthew Peterson calls the event one of many examples of “how bad things have become.” However, now that Trump will return to the White House bolstered by his bold Cabinet picks, the future looks hopeful. “I’d love to know your thoughts on the picks so far,” he tells Bovard. “I think institutional Washington is losing their minds, but I actually think [Matt Gaetz] is the perfect answer to Merrick Garland,” who “turned the Department of Justice into an arm of the president’s political terror,” says Bovard. “[Garland] put Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro — two people who served in Trump's administration — in jail; he aggressively pursued peaceful pro-life protesters; he ignored the disorder in the streets and used taxpayer-funded resources to harass and prosecute and terrorize peaceful J6 protesters to the ends of the Earth. ... Those actions need to be answered with a sledgehammer, and I really do kind of feel like Matt Gaetz is maybe the perfect person to do that.” Before Gaetz can get to work as Trump’s attorney general, however, he first has to be confirmed by the Senate that just elected John Thune as its new majority leader. “What does the pick of John Thune tell you about where the Senate does want to go?” asks Jill. Bovard is a bit concerned when it comes to Thune. “John Thune, I should point out, voted to confirm Merrick Garland,” as did other Republican senators, including Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, and Susan Collins — “all of the people you now see pearl-clutching about Matt Gaetz,” Bovard explains. She hopes they will confirm Gaetz in order to “atone for their sins of confirming Merrick Garland.” To hear more of the conversation, watch the clip above. Want more from 'Blaze News Tonight'?To enjoy more provocative opinions, expert analysis, and breaking stories you won’t see anywhere else, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

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