Public Opinion on Nuclear and Fossil Fuels – A Nation Less Divided
Gallup’s 2025 poll reveals 61% of Americans now support nuclear energy—just shy of the all-time high. Support is strongest among Republicans (74%) and independents (64%), while Democrats remain split. This resurgence aligns with growing energy demands, especially from AI-driven tech companies. On top of this, public preference for renewable energy over fossil fuels hit a new low (56%), down from 73% in 2016.
Environmentalists Reconsider Nuclear in Wake of Climate Urgency
Once staunch opponents of nuclear energy, some environmentalists are now reassessing its role in climate mitigation. The 2011 Fukushima disaster triggered widespread nuclear phaseouts, particularly in Germany and Japan. However, energy demands and emissions targets have reignited interest. Journalist Rebecca Tuhus-Dubrow’s piece in The New Yorker chronicles this shift, exploring how climate urgency has softened anti-nuclear sentiment, even among lifelong environmentalists. Major tech companies are investing in nuclear startups, and countries like Canada, France, and the U.S. aim to triple nuclear capacity by 2050—underscoring nuclear’s evolving role in a decarbonized energy future.
Nuclear Scaling Initiative (NSI) Launches Global Strategy
The newly launched Nuclear Scaling Initiative (NSI) outlines an ambitious roadmap to expand global nuclear capacity by 50 gigawatts annually by the 2030s. Backed by CATF, EFIF, and NTI, NSI targets the U.S. and Central/Eastern Europe to meet soaring electricity demand from industries like AI and advanced manufacturing. Key components include establishing buyers clubs, streamlined licensing, secure nonproliferation practices, and workforce development. NSI positions nuclear energy as essential for both climate resilience and geopolitical stability, offering a comprehensive blueprint to accelerate safe, scalable deployment worldwide.
Colorado Expands Clean Energy Strategy with Nuclear Reclassification and Geothermal Investments
Governor Jared Polis signed a bill redefining nuclear energy as a “clean energy resource” in Colorado. While the legislation doesn’t approve specific nuclear projects, it allows nuclear to be considered in future climate strategies and makes fission-based power plants eligible for clean energy grants. Not to be outdone, the Colorado Energy Office awarded $14.4 million through the Geothermal Energy Grant Program (GEGP) and the Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Offering (GETCO) to support 16 geothermal heating studies and installations statewide.