The White House is set to announce a set of actions backing the establishment of new US nuclear power plants, seen as a crucial source of carbon-free electricity, which is vital to fighting climate change.
The new measures aim to aid the nuclear power industry address increased security costs and competition from cheaper natural gas, wind, and solar-powered plants.
Nuclear advocates said the technology is essential for supplying substantial, uninterrupted, emissions-free power to manage the growing electricity demand from data centers and electric vehicles (EVs) while achieving President Joe Biden’s goal of decarbonizing the US economy by 2050.
White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi emphasized that they should actively utilize all available decarbonization tools during a critical decade for climate action.
Critics have expressed concerns over the rise of radioactive waste stored at plants nationwide, warning about its potential risks to human health and the environment, especially in accidents or malfunctions.
Earlier in May, Biden signed a law prohibiting the use of enriched uranium from the world’s top supplier, Russia.
White House, DOE Team Up for New Nuclear Energy Projects
At a White House nuclear energy deployment event, the Biden administration will announce a new group exploring possible methods of reducing cost and timing overruns in plant building.
The group comprises climate, science, and energy policy professionals from Washington and the Department of Energy (DOE).
The experts will work with project developers, engineers, procurement and construction companies, utilities, investors, labor groups, academics, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The Army is also set to seek input soon on using advanced reactors to power some of the country’s facilities. Small modular reactors and microreactors can offer energy that is more resistant to challenges, such as physical and cyber threats and natural disasters.
Additionally, the DOE published a document summarizing the anticipated safety improvements of advanced reactors. A new tool will also aid developers in identifying ways to reduce capital costs for new nuclear reactors.
The US’s latest nuclear power reactors, at the Vogtle plant in Georgia, have faced significant delays and budget overruns when they started operating commercially in 2023 and this year.
Still, according to the White House, Vogtle is the country’s current no. 1 source of clean energy. The US currently has no ongoing nuclear power plant construction projects.
