5K views · 190 reactions | The nation's first small modular reactor is nearing certification by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission - NRC bringing more flexibility and versatility to the nuclear fleet. See what the BIG deal is about SMRs  | U.S. Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy | Facebook

Since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, the popularity of nuclear energy has declined due to concerns about issues such as waste storage, reactor accidents, overall costs, and health risks. Renewable energy has gained ground since 1972, when it already made up 20% of the global energy mix – mainly due to hydroelectric power and dams like the Hoover Dam, which produced 1,345 megawatts in 1961 and now generates 4.5 billion kilowatt-hours annually. Since 2000, wind energy has surged, growing from 3,8