Public Opposition to AI Data Centers Disrupts Construction Plans
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 37 minutes ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- Poll Results: A recent Gallup poll reveals that 71% of Americans oppose AI data center construction in their areas, with 48% strongly against it and only 7% in strong support, indicating significant public resistance to such developments.
- Construction Delays: Local opposition has blocked or delayed at least $64 billion in U.S. data center construction projects since 2024, and this figure is expected to rise as more projects face local zoning boards, highlighting the critical role of local governance in project approvals.
- Nuclear Solution: Nuclear company Oklo is building its first small modular reactor prototype, expected to provide 75 MW of power sufficient for about 50,000 homes, and has partnered with Vertiv to develop a cooling system that serves both the data center and the reactor, enhancing energy efficiency.
- Market Outlook: Although Oklo's business plan and technology remain highly speculative, Gallup's findings show that nuclear power plant construction is 18 percentage points more favorable than AI data centers, suggesting that if Oklo successfully launches its nuclear-powered data centers, its stock could become a significant long-term investment opportunity.
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Analyst Views on OKLO
Wall Street analysts forecast OKLO stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 68.090
Low
90.00
Averages
125.11
High
175.00
Current: 68.090
Low
90.00
Averages
125.11
High
175.00
About OKLO
Oklo Inc. is an advanced nuclear technology company. The Company is engaged in developing fast fission power plants to provide clean, reliable, and affordable energy at scale. It is developing advanced fuel recycling technologies in collaboration with the United States Department of Energy and United States National Laboratories. It provides 24/7 clean energy to data centers, factories, industrial sites, communities, and defense facilities. It offers heat and power through power purchase agreements. Its powerhouse product line, Aurora, is designed to be inherently safe, to be able to run on fresh or recycled fuel, and to produce 15-50 megawatts electric (MWe) and with the potential to expand powerhouse size to produce 100 MWe of electricity. The Company intends to develop specialized radioisotope production capabilities to address urgent supply shortages in life-saving medical radioisotopes and advanced industrial applications.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
SpaceX Plans IPO This Summer, Targeting AI Market Growth
- IPO Timeline Expected: SpaceX is anticipated to go public this summer, potentially as early as June, providing investors with a chance to engage directly in its valuation, which could reach up to $2 trillion, significantly enhancing the company's capital-raising capabilities.
- Market Opportunity Analysis: With the AI industry projected to grow at an annual rate of 30%, global spending on data centers could reach $7 trillion by 2030, and SpaceX's orbital data center (ODC) initiative aims to meet this rapidly growing energy demand, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Technological Innovation Outlook: SpaceX's ODC plan seeks to deploy data centers in low Earth orbit to utilize solar energy for cooling cost reduction, and despite facing challenges related to physics and radiation, its leading rocket technology and decreasing launch costs position it well to realize this vision.
- Nuclear Company Synergy: Complementing SpaceX's efforts is Oklo, which is targeting traditional terrestrial nuclear energy deployments using small modular reactors (SMRs) to quickly meet the AI industry's energy needs, and if it secures regulatory approvals, it could grow rapidly alongside the AI sector.
See More
Public Opposition to AI Data Centers Disrupts Construction Plans
- Poll Results: A recent Gallup poll reveals that 71% of Americans oppose AI data center construction in their areas, with 48% strongly against it and only 7% in strong support, indicating significant public resistance to such developments.
- Construction Delays: Local opposition has blocked or delayed at least $64 billion in U.S. data center construction projects since 2024, and this figure is expected to rise as more projects face local zoning boards, highlighting the critical role of local governance in project approvals.
- Nuclear Solution: Nuclear company Oklo is building its first small modular reactor prototype, expected to provide 75 MW of power sufficient for about 50,000 homes, and has partnered with Vertiv to develop a cooling system that serves both the data center and the reactor, enhancing energy efficiency.
- Market Outlook: Although Oklo's business plan and technology remain highly speculative, Gallup's findings show that nuclear power plant construction is 18 percentage points more favorable than AI data centers, suggesting that if Oklo successfully launches its nuclear-powered data centers, its stock could become a significant long-term investment opportunity.
See More
Emerging Competitors in the Nuclear Energy Sector
- Market Opportunity: Bank of America estimates the nuclear energy market could be worth $10 trillion, with Oklo and NuScale Power driving a resurgence in nuclear technology expected to yield significant growth over the coming decades.
- Business Model Differences: Oklo focuses on providing reliable power to data centers through power purchase agreements, while NuScale partners with ENTRA1 to sell its small modular reactor technology, offering global market opportunities despite a more complex model.
- Client Appeal: Oklo's direct approach allows it to meet data center demands more rapidly, having established significant partnerships with clients like Equinix, Switch, and Meta Platforms, whereas NuScale has yet to secure major deals with large data centers.
- Regulatory Risk Considerations: While Oklo's business model is more appealing, it lacks NRC approval for its reactor designs, whereas NuScale can leverage partners to manage the complexities of nuclear projects, providing greater regulatory certainty.
See More
Oklo and NuScale Design Small Nuclear Reactors
- Significant Market Opportunity: Oklo and NuScale are developing small nuclear reactors, expected to drive growth in the nuclear sector, with Bank of America estimating this market opportunity at $10 trillion, indicating potential returns for decades to come.
- Differing Business Models: Oklo plans to sell electricity directly to customers through power purchase agreements, while NuScale partners with ENTRA1 to sell its reactor technology; although NuScale's model is more complex, it provides access to the global market.
- Alignment with Client Needs: Oklo's model is particularly suited for industrial clients like data centers that seek clean, reliable power without the complexities of owning and operating a power plant, making Oklo more attractive in the market.
- Notable Project Potential: NuScale's partnership with ENTRA1 has initiated a 6GW SMR project, which, if successful, would become the largest SMR deployment in the U.S., further solidifying its position in the nuclear energy market.
See More
Analysis of the U.S. Nuclear Energy Market Outlook
- Nuclear Capacity Goals: The U.S. aims to quadruple its nuclear power capacity by 2050, with small modular reactors (SMRs) expected to become the backbone of a new nuclear era, enhancing the significance of nuclear energy in the global energy landscape.
- Oklo's Progress: Oklo is developing a small fast reactor called Aurora, and despite regulatory hurdles, it has broken ground at the Idaho National Laboratory and is exploring partnerships with tech giants like Switch and Meta, potentially tapping into a multibillion-dollar medical isotope market.
- NuScale Power's Competitive Edge: NuScale has achieved NRC approval for two SMR designs, 50 MW and 77 MW, showcasing its potential for large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly highlighted by a 6-gigawatt collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
- Market Outlook and Risks: While both Oklo and NuScale have distinct advantages in the small nuclear reactor space, they face challenges with revenue generation and market uncertainty, requiring investors to carefully assess their potential value amid the growing demand from data centers.
See More
Nuclear Stocks Poised for New Opportunities
- Nuclear Market Potential: The U.S. accounts for about 30% of global nuclear production, with the White House aiming to quadruple this capacity by 2050, indicating the critical role of nuclear energy in future energy structures, particularly with small modular reactors (SMRs) expected to be the backbone of a new nuclear era.
- Oklo's Innovative Challenges: Oklo is developing a small fast reactor called Aurora, and despite facing regulatory hurdles and reporting a first-quarter net loss of approximately $33 million, its substantial cash reserves of $1.6 billion support future growth, while potential partnerships with tech giants like Switch and Meta could unlock new opportunities.
- NuScale's Regulatory Edge: NuScale has achieved NRC approval for both a 50-megawatt and a 77-megawatt SMR design, making it the only U.S. nuclear company to secure such approvals, with its potential 6-gigawatt project with the Tennessee Valley Authority showcasing its application in large infrastructure projects.
- Investment Risks and Rewards: While both Oklo and NuScale have their strengths, neither has generated significant revenue yet, leading to short-term volatility; however, in the long run, the increasing demand from data centers could significantly enhance the value of nuclear stocks, attracting investors with higher risk tolerance.
See More
SpaceX Plans IPO This Summer, Targeting AI Market Growth
- IPO Timeline Expected: SpaceX is anticipated to go public this summer, potentially as early as June, providing investors with a chance to engage directly in its valuation, which could reach up to $2 trillion, significantly enhancing the company's capital-raising capabilities.
- Market Opportunity Analysis: With the AI industry projected to grow at an annual rate of 30%, global spending on data centers could reach $7 trillion by 2030, and SpaceX's orbital data center (ODC) initiative aims to meet this rapidly growing energy demand, enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Technological Innovation Outlook: SpaceX's ODC plan seeks to deploy data centers in low Earth orbit to utilize solar energy for cooling cost reduction, and despite facing challenges related to physics and radiation, its leading rocket technology and decreasing launch costs position it well to realize this vision.
- Nuclear Company Synergy: Complementing SpaceX's efforts is Oklo, which is targeting traditional terrestrial nuclear energy deployments using small modular reactors (SMRs) to quickly meet the AI industry's energy needs, and if it secures regulatory approvals, it could grow rapidly alongside the AI sector.
See More
Public Opposition to AI Data Centers Disrupts Construction Plans
- Poll Results: A recent Gallup poll reveals that 71% of Americans oppose AI data center construction in their areas, with 48% strongly against it and only 7% in strong support, indicating significant public resistance to such developments.
- Construction Delays: Local opposition has blocked or delayed at least $64 billion in U.S. data center construction projects since 2024, and this figure is expected to rise as more projects face local zoning boards, highlighting the critical role of local governance in project approvals.
- Nuclear Solution: Nuclear company Oklo is building its first small modular reactor prototype, expected to provide 75 MW of power sufficient for about 50,000 homes, and has partnered with Vertiv to develop a cooling system that serves both the data center and the reactor, enhancing energy efficiency.
- Market Outlook: Although Oklo's business plan and technology remain highly speculative, Gallup's findings show that nuclear power plant construction is 18 percentage points more favorable than AI data centers, suggesting that if Oklo successfully launches its nuclear-powered data centers, its stock could become a significant long-term investment opportunity.
See More
Emerging Competitors in the Nuclear Energy Sector
- Market Opportunity: Bank of America estimates the nuclear energy market could be worth $10 trillion, with Oklo and NuScale Power driving a resurgence in nuclear technology expected to yield significant growth over the coming decades.
- Business Model Differences: Oklo focuses on providing reliable power to data centers through power purchase agreements, while NuScale partners with ENTRA1 to sell its small modular reactor technology, offering global market opportunities despite a more complex model.
- Client Appeal: Oklo's direct approach allows it to meet data center demands more rapidly, having established significant partnerships with clients like Equinix, Switch, and Meta Platforms, whereas NuScale has yet to secure major deals with large data centers.
- Regulatory Risk Considerations: While Oklo's business model is more appealing, it lacks NRC approval for its reactor designs, whereas NuScale can leverage partners to manage the complexities of nuclear projects, providing greater regulatory certainty.
See More
Oklo and NuScale Design Small Nuclear Reactors
- Significant Market Opportunity: Oklo and NuScale are developing small nuclear reactors, expected to drive growth in the nuclear sector, with Bank of America estimating this market opportunity at $10 trillion, indicating potential returns for decades to come.
- Differing Business Models: Oklo plans to sell electricity directly to customers through power purchase agreements, while NuScale partners with ENTRA1 to sell its reactor technology; although NuScale's model is more complex, it provides access to the global market.
- Alignment with Client Needs: Oklo's model is particularly suited for industrial clients like data centers that seek clean, reliable power without the complexities of owning and operating a power plant, making Oklo more attractive in the market.
- Notable Project Potential: NuScale's partnership with ENTRA1 has initiated a 6GW SMR project, which, if successful, would become the largest SMR deployment in the U.S., further solidifying its position in the nuclear energy market.
See More
Analysis of the U.S. Nuclear Energy Market Outlook
- Nuclear Capacity Goals: The U.S. aims to quadruple its nuclear power capacity by 2050, with small modular reactors (SMRs) expected to become the backbone of a new nuclear era, enhancing the significance of nuclear energy in the global energy landscape.
- Oklo's Progress: Oklo is developing a small fast reactor called Aurora, and despite regulatory hurdles, it has broken ground at the Idaho National Laboratory and is exploring partnerships with tech giants like Switch and Meta, potentially tapping into a multibillion-dollar medical isotope market.
- NuScale Power's Competitive Edge: NuScale has achieved NRC approval for two SMR designs, 50 MW and 77 MW, showcasing its potential for large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly highlighted by a 6-gigawatt collaboration with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
- Market Outlook and Risks: While both Oklo and NuScale have distinct advantages in the small nuclear reactor space, they face challenges with revenue generation and market uncertainty, requiring investors to carefully assess their potential value amid the growing demand from data centers.
See More
Nuclear Stocks Poised for New Opportunities
- Nuclear Market Potential: The U.S. accounts for about 30% of global nuclear production, with the White House aiming to quadruple this capacity by 2050, indicating the critical role of nuclear energy in future energy structures, particularly with small modular reactors (SMRs) expected to be the backbone of a new nuclear era.
- Oklo's Innovative Challenges: Oklo is developing a small fast reactor called Aurora, and despite facing regulatory hurdles and reporting a first-quarter net loss of approximately $33 million, its substantial cash reserves of $1.6 billion support future growth, while potential partnerships with tech giants like Switch and Meta could unlock new opportunities.
- NuScale's Regulatory Edge: NuScale has achieved NRC approval for both a 50-megawatt and a 77-megawatt SMR design, making it the only U.S. nuclear company to secure such approvals, with its potential 6-gigawatt project with the Tennessee Valley Authority showcasing its application in large infrastructure projects.
- Investment Risks and Rewards: While both Oklo and NuScale have their strengths, neither has generated significant revenue yet, leading to short-term volatility; however, in the long run, the increasing demand from data centers could significantly enhance the value of nuclear stocks, attracting investors with higher risk tolerance.
See More
