Kansas Town Becomes Site of Underground Nuclear Reactor for AI Power Needs

The article discusses a nuclear experiment in Parsons, Kansas, where a small town with one in five residents living in poverty is becoming the site of the first underground nuclear reactor designed to power artificial intelligence. The reactor is being drilled through an aquifer on land where the Army still detonates waste explosives under federal permit. The article highlights that the nuclear industry is seeking locations where ‘nobody gets a vote’ to avoid public opposition, and Parsons, Kansas, fits this description due to its high poverty rate and lack of political influence. The article references a report from the Kansas City Defender dated September 9, 2026, which details the situation. The piece is part of a broader discussion on nuclear issues, including the history of nuclear disasters, environmental concerns, and the role of nuclear power in the context of AI development. The article also touches on the broader implications of nuclear energy for climate change, renewable energy, and the potential risks associated with underground nuclear reactors. The author emphasizes the lack of public input in the decision-making process and the potential environmental and health impacts of the project. The article is categorized under ‘Small Modular Nuclear Reactors’ and is part of a larger body of work on nuclear issues, including opposition to nuclear power and investigative journalism on nuclear topics. The piece is written in American English and is part of a blog called ‘nuclear-news’ that focuses on nuclear industry news and issues.