US startup to restore legacy California nuclear facility for critical power systems
A United States firm, Zeno Power, has announced plans to establish a nuclear battery manufacturing facility at the Vallecitos Nuclear Center in California.
The activity is being carried out under a lease agreement with NorthStar that gives Zeno Power access to specialised nuclear-grade infrastructure, enabling initial deliveries to government customers as early as 2027, followed by a planned ramp-up in production capacity and targeting the ability to scale nuclear battery production from 2028 onward.
The work is based at the Vallecitos complex, a 1,600- acre site established in 1957 that once hosted the US’ first privately owned nuclear power plant and held Power Reactor License No. 1 issued by the Atomic Energy Commission.
The site historically supported reactor research, fuel testing, and isotope production. In March 2025, former operators finalized an agreement with NorthStar to carry out decommissioning and restoration of the wider facility.
That remediation work will continue across the site in parallel with Zeno’s manufacturing operations within a designated hot cell area. According to Zeno Power co-founder and CEO Tyler Bernstein, the Vallecitos site represents a foundational location in the history of US commercial nuclear energy, and the company intends to build on that legacy through its work on nuclear batteries for critical national missions.
The US firm has recently taken possession of initial decontaminated hot cells at the facility, which are heavily shielded rooms designed for the safe handling of radioactive materials. Non-radiological operations have already begun on site, while the start of radiological activities is expected later this year, pending regulatory approval.
The Vallecitos Nuclear Center holds existing decommissioning licenses from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission and California regulators, along with rare hot cell infrastructure in the US. Hot cells are heavily shielded rooms that allow nuclear materials to be handled remotely using mechanical arms and leadglass viewing systems, enabling safe assembly work involving radioactive components.
Zeno Power’s restoration of the facilities takes place within this licensed framework and existing infrastructure, while the company’s activities are also expected to support retention and development of nuclear-skilled labor as the site transitions through decommissioning and limited industrial reuse.
Company adds third location in California, citing regional talent base The expansion is expected to draw on engineering, nuclear, and operations expertise across Berkeley, Livermore, and Silicon Valley.
The new facility will be Zeno Power’s third location, complementing existing offices and laboratories in Seattle, Washington, and Washington, DC. Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert described the project as a significant development for the region, citing high-skilled job creation, the retention of specialised nuclear expertise at Vallecitos, and increased economic activity.
He said the investment positions Alameda County as a hub for advanced manufacturing supporting defense, space, and commercial applications. Katie Marcel, CEO of Innovation Tri-Valley Leadership Group, noted that the organization welcomes Zeno Power to the region as it develops its nuclear battery production capabilities.
