The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is putting up $17.5 billion in loans to fast-track Westinghouse's plan to build 10 large nuclear reactors nationwide, the agency said Tuesday.

Why it matters: Cranberry-based Westinghouse is staking its claim in a potential nuclear revival, fueled by the Trump administration's drive to increase domestic energy production and meet rising power needs.

State of play: DOE officials say the loans could trim as much as three years from project timelines — bolstering the administration's drive to get 10 new nuclear reactors underway in the 2030s and expanding the U.S. supply chain for critical nuclear components.

Catch up quick: In October, the DOE struck an $80 billion deal with the company's owners to help finance projects and navigate the permitting process, securing up to a 20% share of future profits in return.

• Westinghouse says its AP1000 pressurized water reactors can anchor the next generation of reliable U.S. power supply.

What they're saying: "If we want to lead in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and the industries that will define the next century – we need more American baseload energy," said Westinghouse CEO Dan Sumner.

Zoom in: The financing will support up to five loans, each with two 1.1-gigawatt Westinghouse reactors. Westinghouse has signed letters of intent with potential partners and project sites, per the DOE. Neither the company nor the DOE has identified the potential partners or states involved.

• Westinghouse and its partners must each invest $500 million before accessing the financing, which will help secure equipment with lengthy manufacturing timelines rather than fund construction.

Between the lines: The delays and cost overruns that troubled Westinghouse's Vogtle project in Georgia show how difficult it remains to build large nuclear projects in the U.S., where price tags and regulatory complexity can derail projects.

Yes, but: U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright argued the obstacles stemmed largely from poor planning, pandemic-era disruptions and supply chain constraints, the Associated Press reported, while the reactor design is "robust and sound."

• "We expect the timing and cost of these plants to well outperform what was done on Vogtle," he said during a Tuesday call with reporters, per the AP.

What we're watching: Where the projects land, including whether Pennsylvania secures a share of the investment, and how quickly developers lock in sites.

• Wright said the plants could come online by the mid-2030s.

Go deeper

Point State Park's free concert this weekend is bringing fun and a bit of disruption.

Why it matters: For those attending and driving nearby, the Nelly and Third Eye Blind show has several road closures to navigate.

Zoom in: A full closure of Commonwealth Place between Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Liberty Avenue begins 7am today.

• Parking lane closures hit sections of Boulevard of the Allies and Liberty Avenue near the Point starting tomorrow morning through the afternoon.
• At 6:30pm tomorrow, Liberty Avenue outbound from Stanwix Street to the Fort Pitt Bridge is closed.
• On Saturday at 7am, both Liberty Avenue inbound from the Fort Pitt Bridge to Stanwix Street and Commonwealth Place between Boulevard of the Allies and Liberty Avenue will be closed.

Point State Park will be closed to the public from tomorrow at 9pm to Saturday at 5pm, when gates open for the free but ticketed concert.

• Phased reopenings will begin Saturday night after midnight and continue through 5pm on Monday.

Full list of road closures here.

Between the lines: City officials recommend taking public transit or ride share to the concert.

• Exit Gateway station if taking the T.
• General parking garages are available Downtown, though officials expect spaces to be limited.

State of play: Concert attendees are encouraged to minimize the bags they bring. Small bags are permitted, but they will be subject to search.

• Prohibited items include blankets, chairs, coolers, professional cameras/recording equipment, drones, lasers, and large banners.
• Full list of prohibited items here.

What's next: Gates open Saturday at 5pm.

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🏒 The NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the Penguins to Chicago-based private equity firm Hoffmann Family of Companies on Tuesday. The deal is expected to close "imminently," per the team.

• Financial terms were not disclosed. The Athletic reported the sale price at $1.7 billion to $1.8 billion — roughly double the $900 million Fenway Sports Group paid for the franchise in 2021. (NHL / The Athletic)

🎨 The city will allow residents to use Adopt-A-Lot properties for public art, community signage, special events and commercial vending, expanding a program previously limited to gardening. (TribLive)

🏗️ Steel pipe manufacturer Tenaris is investing $90 million in its Beaver County plants in Ambridge and Koppel. (Press release)

Saturday

Raise a glass to one of our iconic Sister Bridges at the Andy Warhol Bridge 100th Birthday Bash with live music, art, food trucks and family-friendly activities.

• 📍Warhol Bridge
• ⏰ 11am-3pm
• 💰Free!

Head to WAMO Day for an afternoon of live entertainment, local vendors and family activities.

• 📍Highland Park Lawn
• ⏰ Noon-4pm
• 💰Free!

Enjoy berry-flavored treats, tractor rides, a beer and wine garden, children's activities, an open-air market and more at the Berry Festival & Craft Show at Freedom Farms through Sunday.

• 📍434 Overbrook Road, Valencia, Butler County
• ⏰ 11am-5pm
• 💰 $10

Sunday

Walk, bike, run and roll through miles of car-free streets during OpenStreetsPGH.

• 📍Downtown and South Side
• ⏰ 10am-2pm
• 💰Free!

Shop vintage clothing, antiques, art, accessories and handmade goods at Velum Fermentation's Days Gone By Vintage Market.

• 📍2120 Jane St., South Side
• ⏰ Noon-5pm
• 💰Free!