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The Resurgence of Nuclear Power in the U.S.

The United States is entering a new nuclear energy boom. Rising electricity demand from AI data centers, manufacturing reshoring, and other industries has sparked renewed interest in nuclear power. The federal government plans to quadruple nuclear output over the next 25 years by constructing both large conventional reactors and next-generation small modular reactors (SMRs).

Currently, 93 commercial reactors operate across 54 plants in 28 states, generating roughly 20% of the nation’s electricity. This ambitious expansion, while promising for clean energy and energy security, revives the long-standing challenge of managing radioactive waste.

The Waste Challenge: Numbers and Stakes

More than 90,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel—roughly 10% of which comes from weapons programs—are temporarily stored across 79 sites in 39 states. This includes fuel held in water-filled pools and dry-cask storage. Approximately 2,000 metric tons of new waste are generated every year as reactors continue operating.

Without a permanent disposal solution, taxpayers have already paid up to $800 million annually in damages to utilities, totaling $11.1 billion since 1998. Projected future liabilities could reach $44.5 billion. The hazardous nature of this waste, which remains dangerous for thousands of years, underscores the urgency of finding a long-term solution.

Why the Nuclear Rush?

Several factors are driving this resurgence:

• Continuous, high-demand electricity needs, particularly for AI and advanced manufacturing
• Nuclear’s high reliability, with capacity factors averaging over 90%
• The push for low-carbon energy to meet climate goals

Private companies and utilities are investing heavily. Recent deals for plant construction are projected to cost tens of billions of dollars, signaling confidence in the sector’s long-term growth. Yet, the question of what to do with the resulting radioactive waste remains a major hurdle.

Potential Solutions Under Development

Efforts to manage nuclear waste are advancing on several fronts:

• Deep-geologic disposal: Burying spent fuel deep underground in stable rock formations
• Deep borehole disposal: Using vertical and horizontal drilling to store canisters thousands of feet below the surface, ideally near existing reactor sites
• Reprocessing and recycling: Extracting uranium and other elements from spent fuel to create new fuel for SMRs

While these strategies show promise, none are currently scaled for commercial high-level waste in the U.S., leaving existing storage sites to accumulate more material each year.

Risks, Costs, and Public Concern

Beyond technical challenges, public trust and financial risks loom large. Past projects like Yucca Mountain were stalled by political and legal opposition, and sites like Hanford contain millions of gallons of radioactive waste with ongoing cleanup costs.

High costs, transport logistics, and the safety of storing long-lived radioactive materials all contribute to public unease. Nuclear plants, while technically feasible and reliable, must navigate both financial and societal hurdles to ensure long-term viability.

Looking Ahead

If the U.S. achieves its goal of quadrupling nuclear output, waste production could rise significantly, adding thousands of metric tons annually. With permanent disposal still unresolved, the expansion faces both practical and political constraints.

America’s nuclear revival promises a future powered by low-carbon energy, but unless the waste problem is addressed, it risks building reactors on a foundation of uncertainty.