- Bipartisan Unity on Nuclear: Despite deep political divides, Democrats and Republicans are increasingly aligned on reviving America’s nuclear energy sector.
- Strategic Imperative: Nuclear power is essential to meet surging electricity demand from AI, EVs, and industrial electrification while ensuring energy security.
- Geopolitical Stakes: Russia and China dominate global nuclear exports, using state-backed financing to expand their influence—something the U.S. seeks to counter.
- Reform Roadmap: Achieving 20 GW of new capacity by 2035 requires regulatory reform, strategic financing, and stronger international competitiveness.
In an era defined by deepening partisan divides, a rare point of agreement is emerging in Washington: the strategic revival of nuclear energy. While congressional gridlock has become the norm—evidenced recently by a Republican-only passage of a budget bill—a growing number of Democrats and Republicans are finding common ground on the need for America to reclaim global leadership in nuclear power.
Last month, President Donald Trump issued four executive orders designed to revitalize the nuclear sector, signaling a renewed federal push for clean, reliable power. But the real potential for a nuclear renaissance lies not in unilateral action from the White House but in bipartisan legislation. A promising example came in May, when lawmakers from both sides of the aisle introduced a bill to boost U.S. exports of civilian nuclear technology—a clear step toward rebuilding the domestic industry.
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If the United States is serious about regaining its nuclear footing, it must commit to a bold and unified mission. Similar to Operation Warp Speed’s rapid vaccine development during the COVID-19 crisis, the country needs a “Nuclear Warp Speed” initiative with an ambitious target: build 20 gigawatts (GW) of new nuclear capacity by 2035.
The timing is critical. After years of flat power demand, electricity consumption is set to climb dramatically due to AI-driven data centers, electric vehicles, and heating electrification. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global data center electricity demand will more than double by 2030. Nuclear power, with its around-the-clock output, is well-suited to meet that surge.
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Although much attention has focused on expanding natural gas, nuclear will play a parallel role in meeting future demand. By 2035, nuclear energy could equal gas in powering data centers. Tech giants like Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are already signing nuclear energy deals—including one to restart a shuttered reactor at Three Mile Island and another to rescue an Illinois plant from closure.
But the stakes extend beyond energy supply. The global nuclear power landscape is increasingly dominated by Russia and China. These countries, supported by aggressive state financing, are building most of the world’s new reactors—including advanced designs like small modular reactors. Their growing influence over global nuclear infrastructure could shape energy and foreign policy for decades.
Out of the 58 reactors currently under construction worldwide, over 80% are Russian or Chinese designs. This dominance allows Moscow and Beijing to entrench their geopolitical influence through long-term contracts, financing packages, and control over fuel supply chains. When the U.S. is absent from these deals, it loses the opportunity to promote nuclear safety, nonproliferation, and democratic norms.
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The U.S. has done this before: in the 1980s, it added more than 50 GW of nuclear capacity. The current goal of 20 GW by 2035 is ambitious but achievable—if initial projects break ground by 2030, catalyzing supply chains and skilled labor pipelines.
That will require reform. Trump’s executive orders align with bipartisan goals outlined in the 2024 ADVANCE Act, but implementation must balance speed with regulatory integrity. Reducing costs and streamlining approvals are essential, but not at the expense of safety or public trust.
Policy reforms should focus on three fronts: financing, permitting, and exports. Increased federal support—including milestone-based payments and use of the Defense Production Act—can address funding gaps. Meanwhile, reforms to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) should accelerate licensing without weakening oversight. Finally, enhancing U.S. export competitiveness through diplomatic and financial tools can help American firms compete abroad.
In a world increasingly shaped by technological rivalry, energy security, and climate urgency, nuclear power offers a strategic solution. With sustained bipartisan support, the U.S. can reassert leadership in nuclear innovation—at home and abroad.