7 Reasons We're Ready for a Nuclear Renaissance

1. public opinion has shifted

after decades of fear-driven stigma, polls show a majority of americans now support nuclear electricity. public sentiment is the foundation of any big energy transition, and it’s finally moving in the right direction.

2. policy is catching up

the U.S. government is backing nuclear in a way we haven’t seen in decades. the inflation reduction act includes production tax credits for existing reactors, new funding for advanced reactor projects, and even possible incentives for converting retiring coal plants into nuclear sites. regulatory reform efforts are making licensing faster and less expensive.

3. old plants are getting new life

instead of shutting down reactors early, we’re extending their lifespans. plants like diablo canyon and palisades have been given a second chance thanks to federal support and public pressure, keeping gigawatts of clean power on the grid. it’s a signal that the tide has turned.

4. small companies are changing the game

a wave of startups and private ventures are designing SMRs, microreactors, and advanced fuel types. these designs promise faster build times and lower costs, and they’re attracting serious investment from both the public and private sectors.

5. the energy demand boom is here

between AI data centers, EVs, and electrification, global electricity demand is surging. solar and wind alone won’t cut it, but nuclear can provide steady, round-the-clock, carbon-free electricity.

6. global momentum is building

around the world, countries are reversing course on nuclear. japan has restarted reactors, south korea is building again, france is planning new units, and even countries like poland and the UK are launching their first nuclear projects. the U.S. risks falling behind if we don’t step it up.

7. the stakes have never been clearer

climate change isn’t abstract anymore. it’s more in our faces than ever. extreme heat, floods, wildfires, and blackouts are forcing people to rethink what “clean electricity” really means. we don’t have time for fragile, intermittent systems. we need resilient, scalable, 24/7 clean electricity, and nuclear is the only source that fits that description.