WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 2026--
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe (PEJ), Westinghouse Electric Company and Bechtel received the 2026 Energy Dominance Deal of the Year award from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) on April 30, 2026. The award recognizes the strong partnership that has been forged between PEJ and the Westinghouse-Bechtel Consortium to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant.
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PEJ is a Polish state-owned entity entrusted with delivering Poland’s nuclear energy ambitions. The company plays a pivotal role in the implementation of the Polish Nuclear Energy Programme, responsible for the development of the country’s first nuclear power plant based on advanced Generation III+ pressurized water reactor technology. Under the supervision of the Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure in Poland, PEJ is committed to strengthening Poland’s long-term energy security, supporting the low-carbon transition and building a modern, resilient energy system for future generations.
Together, Westinghouse and Bechtel bring more than 140 years of nuclear power experience to this historic project that will deploy three Westinghouse advanced AP1000 ® modular reactors to the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in Pomerania. The project will deliver long-term economic benefits in Poland by creating thousands of highly skilled jobs and expanding opportunities for Polish businesses to participate in the nuclear supply chain, while also supporting thousands of manufacturing and engineering jobs in the United States.
“This project is a clear demonstration of how American energy leadership extends well beyond our borders,” said EXIM President and Chairman John Jovanovic. “By supporting U.S. nuclear exports, EXIM is helping our allies build next-generation energy infrastructure while supporting jobs, innovation and long-term competitiveness back here at home.”
“The nuclear project being implemented by Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is an investment of strategic importance. The recognition awarded by the Export-Import Bank of the United States confirms that the construction of Poland’s first nuclear power plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site is perceived as a credible project delivering long-term economic benefits, strengthening Poland’s energy security and reinforcing transatlantic cooperation,” said Marek Woszczyk, President of the Management Board, Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe. “The award also confirms the growing trust of international institutions in our investment and in PEJ’s cooperation model with the Westinghouse–Bechtel Consortium.”
“As one of Poland’s largest-ever energy investments, this historic project will drive Polish energy and economic security for generations while directly supporting American exports, jobs and engineering expertise. Westinghouse thanks EXIM for enthusiastically supporting this important endeavor to bring safe, abundant and reliable nuclear power to our customers, partners and allies abroad,” said Dan Lipman, President, Global Business Initiatives, Westinghouse. “We also appreciate the close collaboration we have with PEJ and our partner Bechtel and look forward to making the Polish AP1000 project reality.”
“Bechtel is honored to support Poland’s first nuclear project. In close collaboration with Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe, EXIM, and our partners at Westinghouse, we are advancing our customer’s objectives while also supporting U.S. jobs and exports,” said Ahmet Tokpinar, General Manager of Bechtel’s Nuclear Power business. “We look forward to continuing our work with EXIM and our Polish partners to help deliver a safe, reliable facility that will strengthen Poland’s long-term energy security.”
Recently, the Westinghouse-Bechtel Consortium assisted PEJ in securing financing through EXIM’s Engineering Multiplier Program to support critical engineering and environmental site work needed prior to the construction phase of the plant. This agreement allows the companies to provide engineering expertise to the project, which will support both American and Polish jobs for the construction and operation of the Lubiatowo-Kopalino AP1000 plant.
The advanced AP1000 reactor is the only operating Generation III+ reactor with fully passive safety systems, modular construction design and the smallest footprint per MWe on the market. There are six AP1000 reactors currently setting operational performance and availability records worldwide with 14 additional reactors under construction and five more under contract. The AP1000 technology has been selected for nuclear energy programs in Poland, Ukraine and Bulgaria, and is also under consideration at multiple other sites in Europe, the Middle East and North America.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe sp. z o.o. is a company responsible for activities including the preparation of the investment process and acting as the investor in the project to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant with a total capacity of 3.75 GWe based on safe, proven, large-scale generation III (+) pressurized water reactors (PWR), and potentially, their future operation. The Company also supports the government administration in activities aimed at the execution of the Polish Nuclear Power Programme and the development of a civil nuclear power program and the civil nuclear power sector in the Republic of Poland. For more information, please visit: www.pej.pl.
Westinghouse Electric Company is the future of energy, providing reliable, innovative nuclear technologies and services globally. Westinghouse pioneered commercial nuclear power, delivering the world’s first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957. The company has industrialized more nuclear reactors than any other company, with its technology forming the basis of half of the world's operating nuclear plants. More than 140 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
Bechtel is a trusted engineering, construction and project management partner to industry and government. Differentiated by the quality of our people and our relentless drive to deliver the most successful outcomes, we align our capabilities to our customers’ objectives to create a lasting positive impact. Since 1898, we have helped customers complete more than 25,000 projects in 160 countries on all seven continents that have created jobs, grown economies, improved the resiliency of the world’s infrastructure, increased access to energy, resources, and vital services, and made the world a safer, cleaner place.
Bechtel serves the Energy; Infrastructure; Manufacturing & Technology; Mining & Metals; and Nuclear, Security & Environmental markets. Our services span from initial planning and investment, through start-up and operations. www.bechtel.com
Westinghouse and Bechtel representatives accept the EXIM award (from left): EXIM President and Chairman John Jovanovic; Bechtel Nuclear Chief Financial Officer Nathan Morales; Bechtel Enterprises President Mark Campbell; Bechtel Enterprises Head of Nuclear Development John Uehlinger; Westinghouse Vice President of Project Financing Kyle Nicholas; Westinghouse Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations Elias Gedeon; Westinghouse Vice President of Government and International Affairs Katie Strangis; U.S. Department of Energy Chief of Stagg Carl Coe; and EXIM Acting First Vice President and Vice Chairman James Burrows Jr.
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media Wednesday that the war with Iran could soon end and oil and natural gas shipments could restart, if Iran accepts a reported agreement that he did not detail.
“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” Trump's post said.
The White House believes it is nearing an agreement with Iran on a one-page memorandum to end the war, according to reporting by Axios. It said provisions include a moratorium on Iranian uranium enrichment, a lifting of U.S. sanctions and the distribution of frozen Iranian funds and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz for ships.
Trump wrote that it was “perhaps a big assumption” that Iran would agree to the terms being offered by the United States.
The White House did not respond to questions about the possible agreement.
Also Wednesday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is appearing before a House committee investigating convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as lawmakers seek answers for Lutnick’s contact with him in the years after 2008. Lutnick has given contradictory statements about his relationship with Epstein but says he has done nothing wrong and welcomes the closed-door interview with lawmakers.
Elections in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan on Tuesday reinforced a picture that’s becoming increasingly clear — while Trump still dominates the Republican Party, Democrats seem to have the momentum ahead of November’s midterm elections. In Indiana, five of the president’s candidates won with the help of an avalanche of cash.
And Trump has renewed his criticism of Pope Leo XIV, potentially complicating a fence-mending visit that Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to make this week to the Vatican. In an interview, Trump said the first American-born pontiff is helping Iran and also making the world less safe with his comments about the importance of not treating immigrants with disrespect.
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Hamburg-based shipping company Hapag-Lloyd says the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is costing it around $60 million a week, in particular in costs for fuel and insurance, as it remains too risky to permit its ships to try getting through.
Insurance costs have shot up due to the risk of attack from Iranian drones and small boats. Alternate routes to safe harbors or overland are “limited in capacity and cannot completely replace the regular maritime routes through the region,” a company statement said.
The number of ships passing the strait has dwindled to a trickle. Iran has demanded that vessels go through a vetting process run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp that involves passing to the north near the Iranian cost, submitting information on crew and cargo, and in some cases paying. But paying the IRGC risks running afoul of sanctions from the US and the EU, which have designated it a terrorist organization.
Oil prices and shipping are unlikely to return to normal until it’s clear the risk of attacks in the Strait of Hormuz have receded, cautions Kaho Yu, head of energy and resources resources at risk intelligence company Verisk Maplecroft.
“Even with diplomatic engagement continuing, energy markets are unlikely to return quickly to pre-crisis assumptions,” he said. “Refiners, shippers, and commodity traders will remain cautious until there is clearer evidence that Hormuz disruptions will not re-escalate.”
Despite the Iran-China meeting’s emphasis on de-escalation, “Hormuz remains the real metric that will be watched,” he added. “Tanker traffic and energy flows over the coming weeks and months are likely to matter more than diplomatic language in assessing whether Beijing can translate influence with Tehran into practical stability.”
About 6 in 10 U.S. adults say the United States is no longer a great place for immigrants, according to the AP-NORC poll.
Roughly 3 in 10 say the U.S. is a great place for immigrants, while about 1 in 10 say it never was. The belief that America is no longer great for immigrants is more common among Democrats and independents.
Nick Grivas, a 40-year-old Democrat from Massachusetts, said he worries that federal immigration policies could discourage new arrivals from investing in their communities, especially if they don’t believe they will be allowed to remain.
“You’re less willing to commit to the project if you don’t think that you’re gonna be able to stay,” he said.
The White House believes it is nearing an agreement with Iran on a one-page memorandum to end the war, according to reporting by Axios.
There is not an agreement yet, but the provisions include a moratorium on Iranian uranium enrichment, a lifting of U.S. sanctions and the distribution of frozen Iranian funds and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz for ships.
The White House did not respond to questions about the possible agreement.
Trump posted on social media that the war with Iran could soon end and oil and natural gas shipments could restart. But that all depends on Iran accepting a reported agreement that the U.S. president did not detail.
“If they don’t agree, the bombing starts, and it will be, sadly, at a much higher level and intensity than it was before,” Trump said.
Trump said that it was “perhaps a big assumption” that Iran would agree to the terms being offered by the United States.
Many U.S. adults say they or someone they know has made life changes because of immigration enforcement over the last year, according to a new AP-NORC poll.
About one-third of Americans say they know someone who has started carrying proof of their immigration status or U.S. citizenship, been detained or deported, changed their travel plans, or significantly changed their routines – such as avoiding work, school or leaving the house – because of their immigration status.
This is especially true among Hispanic adults, with more than half knowing someone affected. Democrats are also more likely than Republicans to say they have a personal connection to someone impacted by immigration enforcement.
Wang Yi said his country was “deeply distressed” by the conflict. He spoke after meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who was visiting Beijing for the first time since the war with the U.S. and Israel started Feb. 28.
China’s close economic and political ties to Tehran give it a unique position of influence. The Trump administration is pressing China to use that relationship to urge the Islamic Republic to open the Strait of Hormuz.
The Chinese minister’s comments followed an earlier statement by Trump that he was pausing his short-lived U.S. effort to guide stranded commercial vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz in hopes that a deal could be finalized. A shaky ceasefire has been largely holding, despite exchanges of fire during the U.S. push to reopen the strait on Monday.
The seat has been vacant for more than a year, since Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet resigned to take a seat in Congress.
Democrats are showing surprising strength in special elections and off-year contests across the country, winning races in unexpected places and significantly narrowing the gap, even when they fall short.
There’s no guarantee the trend will continue through the midterms, when turnout will be much higher, but it has nonetheless energized Democrats and spooked Republicans worried about keeping their congressional majorities.
Trump took aim at seven Republican state senators in Indiana who opposed his plan to redraw congressional district boundaries to help the party gain seats in the U.S. House. His intervention mostly paid off.
Groups allied with the president spent more than $8.3 million on advertising, an extraordinary surge of money into races that are typically low-profile.
Five Trump-backed challengers won. One incumbent won. A seventh contest was too close to call on Tuesday night.
The races were a test of Trump’s enduring grip over his party as Republicans grow increasingly anxious about the midterm elections.
By winning most of them, Trump sent a signal to Republicans everywhere that they can still get thrown out of office if they distance themselves from him even as his popularity fades. And they show the president that he can still credibly threaten consequences for Republicans who cross him.
The Trump-targeted state senators all represent districts he carried in 2024, mostly by 20 percentage points or more.
Elections in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan on Tuesday reinforced a picture that’s becoming increasingly clear — while President Donald Trump still dominates the Republican Party, Democrats seem to have the momentum ahead of November’s midterm elections.
The biggest test of Trump’s power came in Indiana, where he backed primary challenges against seven Republican state senators who rejected his redistricting plan in December. Five of the president’s candidates won with the help of an avalanche of cash.
Meanwhile in Michigan, a Democrat comfortably won a state Senate race in a bellwether district, the latest in a string of special election victories.
Over in Ohio, primaries locked in candidates for two major races with national implications.
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Pro-government demonstrators chant slogans as one of them holds a picture of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei during their gathering at Enqelab-e-Eslami, or Islamic Revolution, square in Tehran, Iran, Monday, May 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
FILE - Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick attends an event on health care affordability in the Oval Office at the White House, April 23, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio leaves the room after speaking to the media in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
