Virginia considers small nuclear reactor to meet power demand [Video]

MINERAL, Va. — The demand for power is growing fast. According to Dominion Energy, the demand is growing by more than 5% annually and is expected to double in the next 15 years.

To keep up, the power company announced a partnership with Amazon on Wednesday.

Amazon and Dominion Energy Virginia have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), or an agreement, “to explore new development that would help advance potential Small Modular Reactor (SMR) nuclear development in Virginia”, according to a press release.

The development would be near Lake Anna, where there’s already a nuclear power plant called North Anna.

Small Modular Reactors, or SMRs are smaller than regular nuclear power plants. According to The Department of Energy they’re about one-third of the size.

They’re also less costly and need less cooling water. According to the Department of Energy, in an …