Despite an effort to close every existing nuclear facility, nuclear energy still accounts for 18% of all electricity generation in the U.S.
Even John Kerry – President Biden’s climate envoy – stated “you can’t get to net-zero 2050 without some nuclear.”
French President Emmanuel Macron said nuclear energy, including small modular reactors, is an “indispensable solution” to efforts to curb climate change.
According to Pew Research, a growing number of Americans look favorably on nuclear power. Support now stands at 57%, up from 43% in 2020.
And miraculously, nuclear is one topic that Republicans and Democrats seem to agree upon. Among Republicans support for nuclear has risen from 51% in 2016 to 67% today. For Democrats support has gone from 38% in 2016 to 50% in 2023.
Those numbers still pale in comparison to support for solar (82%) and wind (75%). Still, it’s undeniable that nuclear power will be getting a second look.
Keep in mind that today’s nuclear isn’t your grandparent’s nuclear. Most existing nuclear plants were built 30 to 40 years ago. The good news is that they last a long time. The bad news is that they last a long time, and operating older plants can be an expensive proposition.
But with small modular reactor (SMR) technology, a reduction of approved designs, and streamlined permitting, the too expensive too long to build problems may be solvable.
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