This is an era of revolution in the energy sector due to the climate change challenges and energy security worldwide. Once sceptical about its nuclear energy potential, America is slowly waking up to the realization that there is an urgent need for a transformation towards nuclear power.
Given the increasing electric energy consumption and the declared strategy to make the United States carbon-neutral by 2050, nuclear power may become the key to the country’s future. Nevertheless, as the nation sets out on this journey, it will find significant problems in regulatory change, infrastructure construction, and international relations that could lead to a crisis by 2050.
The nuclear revolution: why America is waking up to this energy solution
The use of nuclear energy has long been a topic of debate in America. Though safe for human consumption and friendly to the environment, the technology continues to be saddled with old laws and a history of apprehension. In his book Nuclear Revolution: Powering the Next Generation, Jack Spencer opines that the U.S. needs to free itself from regulatory bonds that have hampered the industry’s growth.
Existing regulations, most of which stem from perceived risks, impede cost, prolong timetables, and raise political risk levels. Nuclear power’s potential is not fully realized in America, given the increasing energy demands and pressure to meet environmental goals.
According to Spencer, nuclear power needs a revolution, not just a renaissance, that embraces new technologies, new regulations, and learning from the French nuclear system, where 70% of electricity is nuclear and without accidents. To deal with climate change and ensure energy security, the USA has some aggressive targets for nuclear energy.
In the COP29 climate summit, the U.S. plans to develop 35GW of nuclear capacity by 2035 and 15GW per year by 2040. The collective target is to add 200 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2050, which would be essential if the U.S. is to achieve its net-zero target.
This new framework does more than attempt to support the development of domestic nuclear power; it also aims to decrease reliance on Russian suppliers for nuclear fuel.
These targets are laudable, but to realize them would entail a complete transformation of the current regulatory environment and the creation of entirely new systems, such as small modular reactors and advanced nuclear designs deployable on a scale that has never been attempted before.
How infrastructure development could impact America’s nuclear energy revolution
The road map for increasing the use of nuclear energy in America will not be smooth. First, constructing new reactors on the necessary scale to achieve the 2050 forecasts will entail the creation of new capacities and supply chains.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act include essential tax incentives and support. Still, to scale up the workforce and achieve the required permits for deploying wind power, there is a need for more effort.
Nuclear power stations like Diablo Canyon are being given operating license extensions, and decommissioned reactors are being revived to meet current needs. However, to achieve the goal of 200 GW, new large and small reactors, known as small modular reactors, must be constructed and commissioned rapidly.
This will also mean that the risks will be shared between the utilities, the government, and private investors in this process, and no community should be left behind. The competition for nuclear fuel, especially uranium, is one of the challenges America faces in its bid to develop nuclear energy.
Since the political relations escalated, especially with Russia, the U.S. has to guarantee the long-term and safe supply of uranium for nuclear power plants. The U.S. has already gone a step further and banned Russian uranium imports, but more needs to be done to mitigate risks that threaten to alter the supply chain.
The number of countries that have decided to exploit nuclear energy is growing steadily, which will lead to competition in the acquisition of uranium and other materials necessary for the operation of nuclear power plants, which can further lead to increased costs and new geopolitical tensions.
The U.S. needs to diversify its uranium supply and research novel nuclear systems, including thorium reactors, to guarantee that the nation can rely on an independent energy supply plan immune to global dangers.
2050 could be a crisis if America doesn’t embrace the nuclear revolution
Unless this nuclear revolution is adopted, America’s future by 2050 could be grim. The demand for energy from data centres, artificial intelligence, and other industries is increasing, and the push for cutting greenhouse gas emissions is even stronger now.
Unless the required changes to efficient regulatory systems, elimination of barriers to construction, and creation of the necessary infrastructure are made, the USA will remain an outsider in the competition for the clean energy market.
However, if the right policies are implemented and there is no commitment to innovation, nuclear power could be the key to energy security for America. The next few years will be make-or-break years as to whether the U.S. will be able to steer through this revolution or fall victim to the crisis of inertia.
In conclusion, America is at a crossroads. Due to the high set of nuclear energy goals, the nation is in a position to set the pace on clean energy technologies. Nevertheless, the goal will be to achieve this, given that notable regulatory, technological, and geopolitical barriers exist.
The time to embrace the nuclear revolution is today, and the onus lies in the hands of its policymakers, entrepreneurs, and citizens, so do not miss this time.
