SMRs in the Woods? Appalachian Power’s Plan | Roanoke News

Appalachian Power is eyeing small modular nuclear reactors at Joshua Falls Substation—each capable of powering 400,000 homes—but the project’s future hangs in the balance amid unanswered questions, community pushback, and looming costs. While no customer is yet signed on and power line routes remain unchosen, residents are sounding alarms: decisions are being made by outsiders with little local stake, potentially sacrificing rural landscapes and pocketbooks. Concerns over cooling, water use, waste, and noise linger as the company still hasn’t picked a reactor tech or finalized environmental plans. Critics warn this push may be fueled more by distant data center demand than local need, leaving communities wondering who really benefits—and at what price. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/f81f25217bccd696