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Texas project to build four nuclear plants is in talks with 'hyperscalers'

Texas project to build four nuclear plants is in talks with 'hyperscalers'

Reuters3 days ago
WASHINGTON, July 8 (Reuters) - Fermi, a Texas company looking to build four nuclear plants next to a U.S. nuclear weapons complex, said in documents revealed on Tuesday that it is talking with large data managers on leasing agreements for the project.
Fermi, co-founded by Rick Perry, a former U.S. energy secretary, wants to build four AP1000 reactors at a facility it is calling a "hypergrid." The up to 11 gigawatt (GW) facility in Amarillo powered by nuclear, natural gas, and renewable energy, is planned near the Department of Energy's Pantex nuclear weapons plant and in partnership with Texas Tech University.
Fermi said in its application at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which the regulator made public on Tuesday, that it is engaging in talks with many Big Tech companies, known as "hyperscalers," on letters of intent and term sheets, or preliminary documents that are usually non-binding.
The application said that the hyperscalers would be tenants, apparently meaning they would not own part of the plants. Fermi did not immediately answer questions about financial arrangements being discussed with Big Tech companies or which or how many hyperscalers it is in talks with.
The last two reactors built in the U.S. were AP1000, completed in Vogtle, Georgia. They cost a total of more than $30 billion, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Those plants were delayed by years and came in billions of dollars above projected costs. But nuclear backers say lessons learned should cut construction time and final costs of the next AP1000 reactors.
Fermi said in the application that the nuclear complex, which it calls the Donald J. Trump Generating Plant, will be eligible for financing from the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office. The only time the president tapped the LPO in his first term was for the Vogtle plants.
The company said other plans to finance construction and operation include equity capital contributions from institutional infrastructure and real estate investors, structured bond offerings, and clean energy tax credits.
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Missouri's governor signs repeal of state's guaranteed paid sick leave law
Missouri's governor signs repeal of state's guaranteed paid sick leave law

The Guardian

timean hour ago

  • The Guardian

Missouri's governor signs repeal of state's guaranteed paid sick leave law

Eight months after voters approved it, Missouri's governor, Mike Kehoe, signed the repeal of a law on Thursday that had guaranteed paid sick leave to workers and inflation-linked adjustments to the minimum wage. The move marked a major victory for the state's largest business group and a frustrating defeat for workers' rights advocates, who had spent years – and millions of dollars – building support for the successful ballot measure. The repeal will take effect on 28 August. Kehoe, who also signed a package of tax breaks on Thursday, described the paid sick leave law as an onerous mandate that imposed burdensome record-keeping. 'Today, we are protecting the people who make Missouri work – families, job creators and small business owners – by cutting taxes, rolling back overreach and eliminating costly mandates,' Kehoe, a Republican, said in a statement released after a private bill-signing ceremony. The new tax law excludes capital gains from individual state income taxes, expands tax breaks for seniors and disabled residents, and exempts diapers and feminine hygiene products from sales taxes. Richard von Glahn, who sponsored the worker benefit ballot initiative, said many parents felt forced to go to work instead of staying home to care for a sick child in order to pay for their rent or utilities. 'The governor signing this bill is an absolute betrayal to those families, and it hurts my heart,' said Von Glahn, policy director for Missouri Jobs With Justice. About one-third of states mandate paid sick leave, but many businesses voluntarily provide it. Nationwide, 79% of private-sector employees received paid sick leave last year, though part-time workers were significantly less likely to receive the benefit than full-time employees, according to US labor department data. Voters in Alaska, Missouri and Nebraska all approved paid sick leave measures last November. Only Alaska's, which kicked in on 1 July, has remained unchanged by state lawmakers. Before Nebraska's measure could take effect on 1 October, the state's Republican governor, Jim Pillen, signed a measure last month exempting businesses with 10 or fewer employees from the paid sick leave requirements. The revision also allows businesses to withhold paid sick leave from seasonal agricultural workers and 14- and 15-year-olds. Missouri's law allowed employees to earn one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, starting 1 May. By the time it's repealed, 17 weeks will have elapsed. That means someone working 40 hours a week could have earned 22 hours of paid sick leave. If workers don't use their paid sick leave before 28 August, there is no legal guarantee they can do so afterward. The Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry had made repealing the law its top legislative priority. The 'paid leave and minimum wage policies were a job killer', the chamber's president and chief executive officer, Kara Corches, said. But Missouri voters could get a second chance at mandating paid sick leave. Von Glahn has submitted a proposed ballot initiative to the secretary of state that would reinstate the repealed provisions. Because the new measure is a constitutional amendment, the state legislature would be unable to revise or repeal it without another vote of the people. Supporters have not decided whether to launch a petition drive to try to qualify the measure for the 2026 ballot.

Ambitious Chelsea will not park bus despite challenge of full-throttle PSG
Ambitious Chelsea will not park bus despite challenge of full-throttle PSG

The Guardian

timean hour ago

  • The Guardian

Ambitious Chelsea will not park bus despite challenge of full-throttle PSG

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Discover 15 Game-Changing macOS Tahoe Features
Discover 15 Game-Changing macOS Tahoe Features

Geeky Gadgets

timean hour ago

  • Geeky Gadgets

Discover 15 Game-Changing macOS Tahoe Features

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By tailoring the Control Center to your needs, you can save time and improve efficiency in your daily tasks. Spotlight: Smarter Search, Faster Actions Spotlight has evolved into a more powerful tool for both search and productivity. It now includes clipboard history tracking for up to eight hours, allowing you to retrieve previously copied items with ease. Advanced filtering options and quick action keys—such as sending messages or emails directly from Spotlight—make finding and acting on information faster and more efficient. These enhancements transform Spotlight into a central hub for managing tasks and retrieving information. Safari: Streamlined Browsing Safari's updates focus on simplifying navigation and improving multitasking. The redesigned sidebar provides quicker access to bookmarks, tabs, and reading lists, making it easier to manage your browsing experience. 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This intelligent feature simplifies task creation, helping you stay organized and focused on what matters most. iCloud Passwords: Better Security, Easier Access iCloud Passwords now offers password history tracking, allowing you to retrieve and manage previous credentials effortlessly. Additionally, you can display passwords directly in the menu bar for quick access when needed. These updates enhance both the security and convenience of password management, making sure you can access your accounts without unnecessary delays. Live Activities: Real-Time Updates Across Devices Live Activities now syncs seamlessly with your iPhone, providing real-time updates such as sports scores, delivery statuses, or calendar events directly on your Mac. This cross-device integration keeps you informed without disrupting your workflow, making it easier to stay on top of important updates throughout the day. Custom Folders: Enhanced Organization Folder customization receives a significant upgrade in macOS Tahoe. You can now change folder colors and icons, making it easier to personalize your workspace. Additionally, tag-based organization simplifies file management, allowing you to locate and browse content effortlessly. These enhancements provide a more intuitive and visually appealing way to organize your files. Journal App: A New Way to Document Your Life The Journal app, now available on macOS, offers a versatile platform for multimedia journaling. Features such as map views, multimedia entries, and export options make it ideal for documenting trips, tracking daily reflections, or capturing creative ideas. Whether you're a professional writer or someone who enjoys personal journaling, this app provides a comprehensive tool for self-expression. Appearance Customization: A Personal Touch macOS Tahoe introduces new ways to personalize your desktop. Clear icon and widget styles, along with a liquid glass design for the lock screen clock, allow you to create a visually cohesive and appealing interface. These customization options enable you to tailor your Mac's appearance to reflect your personal style and preferences. Automation Tools: Simplify Your Workflow Automation tools in macOS Tahoe empower you to streamline repetitive tasks. The new automations tab lets you set triggers based on time, file changes, or external drive connections. For instance, you can automatically transcribe audio files or sort documents by content. These tools save time and effort, allowing you to focus on more important tasks. Battery Automations: Smarter Power Management Battery automations ensure you're always informed about your Mac's power status. Notifications for low battery levels or when your device is connected to a charger help you manage battery life more effectively. By reducing the risk of unexpected shutdowns, this feature enhances the reliability of your Mac during critical tasks. Image Playground: AI-Driven Creativity The new Image Playground uses AI to generate custom images directly on your Mac. Powered by ChatGPT, this feature opens up creative possibilities for projects, presentations, and more. Whether you're a professional designer or a hobbyist, Image Playground provides a valuable tool for exploring new creative avenues. macOS Tahoe: A Comprehensive Update for Modern Users macOS Tahoe delivers a well-rounded update that balances functionality, efficiency, and personalization. From the redesigned Control Center to advanced automation tools, these features cater to the needs of modern users. Whether your focus is on productivity, creativity, or customization, macOS Tahoe equips you with tools to enhance your experience and streamline your daily tasks. By embracing these updates, you can unlock the full potential of your Mac and elevate your workflow. Below are more guides on macOS Tahoe features from our extensive range of articles. Source & Image Credit: Stephen Robles Filed Under: Apple, Guides, Laptops, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.

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