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U.S. and Japan Announce $73 Billion Plan for SMRs and Gas Plants

The move casts SMRs as a next‑generation power option despite long development timelines.

Overview

  • A joint statement in Washington confirms $40 billion for small modular reactors in Tennessee and Alabama.
  • About $33 billion is earmarked for natural‑gas plants in Pennsylvania and Texas to help keep U.S. power prices steady and supply data centers.
  • GE Vernova Hitachi, the General ElectricHitachi venture, is named as the SMR supplier for the U.S. sites.
  • The package forms part of Japan’s roughly $550 billion U.S. investment pledge tied to talks over lower tariffs.
  • Europe advances its own SMR agenda as the European Commission targets first units by 2030 with initial €200 million funding, while experts caution most Western designs may need 10–15 years and German leaders float pilot projects.