Challenges and Opportunities in the U.S. Nuclear Industry

Despite some major setbacks, the technology remains vital to the nation’s energy future—but the U.S. needs to enact major regulatory and permitting reforms.

The prospects for a nuclear revival in the U.S. are mixed as the industry faces challenges and setbacks, including the cancellation of NuScale Power's showcase project for small modular reactors in Idaho. While the existing nuclear reactor fleet appears secure, the industry struggles with delays, rising costs, regulatory hurdles, and economic challenges. Despite this, there is surprising international enthusiasm for nuclear power, with 22 countries pledging to triple their nuclear capacity by 2050. The industry is also exploring opportunities for advanced reactors in industrial processes and data centers. To succeed, the U.S. nuclear industry needs to address regulatory and economic barriers and reform the power grid to prioritize reliable, clean energy sources.

The U.S. nuclear industry faces challenges and setbacks, including the cancellation of NuScale Power's showcase project for small modular reactors in Idaho.
Despite this, there is international enthusiasm for nuclear power, with 22 countries pledging to triple their nuclear capacity by 2050.
The industry is exploring opportunities for advanced reactors in industrial processes and data centers.
To succeed, the U.S. nuclear industry needs to address regulatory and economic barriers and reform the power grid to prioritize reliable, clean energy sources.