Missouri River is best source of water for nuclear energy in North Dakota, regul

[Marlin]

Missouri River is best source of water for nuclear energy in North Dakota, regulator says

https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/06/16/missouri-river-is-best-source-of-water-for-nuclear-energy-in-north-dakota-regulator-says/

[Core Content]

Source: northdakotamonitor.com.

The North Dakota Department of Water Resources identified the Missouri River as the primary water source for potential nuclear power projects. Officials stated that surface water from the river is preferable to groundwater for cooling requirements. The state continues to manage interstate water usage concerns while evaluating nuclear feasibility.

The Advanced Nuclear Energy Committee is currently assessing the regulatory and economic landscape for small modular reactors. State regulators noted that while they oversee facility siting, they lack authority to determine economic necessity. Ongoing challenges for the industry include establishing long-term waste storage solutions and ensuring adequate funding for future decommissioning of nuclear sites.

A nuclear reactor in North Dakota could require as much water as a coal power plant, and the regulator responsible for managing the state's water resources says the Missouri River is the best available source.

Reice Haase, director of the North Dakota Department of Water Resources, said the state uses less than a spoonful of the gallon of water that is the Missouri River as a water resource. The river is a far better option as a water source than groundwater if a nuclear reactor is built in North Dakota, he said.

"By far, the Missouri River is our greatest resource for surface water in North Dakota," Haase said.

Read the full article at northdakotamonitor.com:
https://northdakotamonitor.com/2026/06/16/missouri-river-is-best-source-of-water-for-nuclear-energy-in-north-dakota-regulator-says/