# Google News RSS / lead scan — Energy SMR Watch — 2026-08-22

Queries checked:
- `SMR nuclear after:2026-08-21`
- `advanced nuclear after:2026-08-21`
- `uranium HALEU after:2026-08-21`
- `small modular reactor after:2026-08-21`
- `nuclear data center after:2026-08-21`
- `site:world-nuclear-news.org nuclear after:2026-08-21`
- `site:ans.org/news nuclear after:2026-08-21`

Selected for publication:
- ANS / Nuclear Newswire: “NRC opens, defines hearing opportunity for Orano’s Project Ike” (Aug. 20, 2026), resolved to https://www.ans.org/news/article-8311/nrc-opens-defines-hearing-opportunity-for-oranos-project-ike/
- Official anchor: Federal Register / NRC notice, published Aug. 12, 2026, https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/12/2026-16372/orano-enrichment-usa-llc-project-ike-enrichment-facility-notice-of-receipt-of-application-for

Why selected:
- It is a concrete official fuel-cycle/licensing step: NRC has received Orano Enrichment USA’s application for Project IKE in Oak Ridge/Roane County, Tennessee.
- It affects the U.S. enrichment/fuel-chain conversation behind SMRs, advanced reactors, uranium markets, mine electrification and AI/data-centre firm-power claims.
- It has a clean official record plus reputable nuclear-trade coverage.

Leads skipped / duplicate watch:
- Corpus Christi / MARAD maritime SMR agreement: already published locally as `corpus-christi-marad-maritime-smr-source-card.html`.
- FANCO HALEU fuel-fabrication filing: already published locally as `fanco-haleu-fuel-fabrication-nrc-engagement-source-card.html`.
- DOE/NRIC Nuclear Energy Launch Pad first selections: Google News resurfaced an ANS item on Aug. 21, but the primary NRIC/INL release is dated April 27, 2026 and was not treated as a new daily item.
- Stock/ETF/listicle items and market commentary: skipped as investment-oriented without a new official infrastructure gate.