Skip to content
Opinion
Liam Denning

Nuclear Power Has One Last Chance to Flourish in the US

Climate urgency, energy security concerns and government support make this a make-or-break moment for atomic energy.

The Palo Verde nuclear generating plant, the nation's largest, in Phoenix, Arizona. 

The Palo Verde nuclear generating plant, the nation's largest, in Phoenix, Arizona. 

Photographer: Jeff Topping/Getty Images North America
By

Once again, we are on the cusp of a nuclear renaissance. Actually realizing one requires something nuclear power isn’t known for: Speed.

Nuclear plants produce carbon-free power, don’t rely on fossil fuels subject to bad stuff like European wars, and run at high capacity factors. Hence, in these troubled, climate-conscious times, the renewed interest. As it is, the US hosts the world’s largest fleet, generating 18% of the country’s electricity overall and almost half of its zero-carbon electricity. The vast majority were built in two waves through the 1970s and 1980s, with an average age of 36 years.