Our Position: Greater Investment in U.S. Nuclear Energy

The conversation around nuclear power is changing due to the explosion of AI, which is driving greater energy demand in recent years. As electricity consumption grows at an unprecedented rate, policymakers and industries are re-evaluating nuclear energy’s role in ensuring a stable, clean, and reliable power grid.

The U.S. has long weighed the inherent risks and rewards of nuclear power. While coal and gas are supplemented with  solar, wind, and battery storage, they alone will not be sufficient to meet the rising electricity demand. Nuclear power must complement these existing methods to ensure grid stability, national security, and energy independence.

The U.S. first commercialized nuclear fission energy in the 1950s, harnessing power from the process of splitting atoms. Most of the country’s nuclear plants were built in the 1960s and 1970s, and at its peak, the U.S. operated 112 nuclear reactors. However, situations like the 1979 Three Mile Island accident and the 1985 Chernobyl accident led to a slowdown in nuclear development due to heightened public concern and regulatory scrutiny.

In the early 2010s, nuclear energy struggled to compete with cheaper natural gas and growing investments in wind and solar energy. The 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan further dampened public support for nuclear power, reinforcing skepticism around safety concerns.

From 2013 to 2022, 13 U.S. nuclear reactors shut down, primarily due to economic challenges. Nuclear power plants are expensive to operate, and during this period, cheap natural gas and growing renewable subsidies made nuclear less competitive.

Today, 94 reactors remain operational, supplying approximately 20% of the country's electricity and accounting for nearly 50% of the nation’s carbon-free power. Most U.S. nuclear power plants utilize light water reactors (LWRs), which use ordinary water as both a coolant and a neutron moderator to control the fission reaction. Originally, these reactors were licensed for 40 years, with the assumption that they would be replaced by new facilities. However, many of these plants have undergone license renewals, extending their operational lifetimes to 60–80 years through investments in infrastructure and safety improvements.

While interest in building new large nuclear power plants remains, the high costs—often in the tens of billions of dollars—fall on local utilities, which face economic and regulatory hurdles.

An alternative to these expensive reactors is the development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), which offer a more affordable and scalable approach to nuclear power.

Unlike traditional large-scale reactors, SMRs are designed to be smaller, faster to build, and more cost-effective. They typically generate around 300 megawatts of electricity and their modular design allows for off-site assembly, reducing construction costs and timelines. 

The U.S. federal government plays a critical role in the growth of the nuclear industry. 

Its support—through licensing approvals, funding, and policy incentives—is essential for nuclear projects to succeed. Recent legislative initiatives have included funding for next-generation nuclear technology, recognizing nuclear’s importance in achieving energy independence   national security and emissions reduction goals.

While the nuclear industry has seen cycles of interest, advocates agree that the time is now. there is now broader optimism for nuclear as new AI technologies have increased energy demand. However, the success of nuclear expansion largely depends on the collaboration with federal and  state governments and local utility companies. These partnerships will be essential in making nuclear energy successful in the U.S .

We are currently witnessing a nuclear renaissance due to rising energy demand for the first time in decades. This surge is driven largely by the expansion of AI and cloud computing, both of which require immense amounts of electricity. 

It is estimated that a single AI-generated query consumes 10 times more electricity than a standard Google search, highlighting the immense power requirements of emerging technologies. As AI continues to evolve, so too must our approach to energy production.

Additionally, The Department of Energy estimates that global electricity demand will increase by 33-75% in the coming years, with data centers being among the biggest contributors. To remain competitive in AI and advanced computing, the U.S. must significantly expand its power generation capacity, and nuclear energy remains the only scalable, zero-emission energy option that can provide constant baseload power.

Nuclear energy, despite its challenges, stands as a pivotal element in America's energy landscape. As the nation confronts escalating energy demands, continued investment in nuclear technology is essential. It promises to deliver an abundant, low-carbon energy supply that secures our energy independence, bolsters our national security, and powers our AI-driven future. 

Therefore, the United States must remain committed in advancing nuclear energy. This commitment will affirm our leadership in global energy innovation, for a stronger and 

more prosperous America.