California Nuclear: Past, Present and Future
Last week’s panel SF Climate Week conversation is now up on video for those of you who missed it. During a packed house we told the story of nuclear energy in California, including why the Diablo Canyon Plant was saved, perspectives on the benefits of nuclear power and the environment from the voice of a local tribal leader, and how powering the state with more nuclear energy could bring abundance and prosperity. With responses like, “nuclear is officially cool”, it’s clear that nuclear deserves a larger space for conversation outside of Climate Week.
America and the Nuclear Race
In “The Other Nuclear Race,” Juzel Lloyd highlights a pivotal shift in global energy dynamics: China and Russia are outpacing the United States in nuclear energy innovation and exports. Both nations are rapidly expanding their domestic nuclear capacities and aggressively exporting nuclear technology, particularly small modular reactors (SMRs), to emerging economies. SMRs offer advantages such as quicker deployment, lower costs, and suitability for regions with less developed electrical grids.
This surge in development by China and Russia positions them as leaders in the global nuclear market, potentially diminishing U.S. influence in international energy policy. As global electricity demand continues to rise, especially in developing nations, the U.S. faces a strategic imperative to revitalize its nuclear energy sector. Without renewed investment and innovation in nuclear technology, the U.S. risks ceding ground in a critical area of energy and geopolitical competition.
US Nuclear Policy is Now Facing an Uncertain Future
According to a recent piece in InkStickMedia, there is reason for optimism that the Trump administration understands the futility of a new nuclear arms race. Yet uncertainty and contradictions abound. The key take-a-way: “policymakers in Washington would do well to consider new ways the Trump administration can counteract nuclear proliferation in a facilitative manner of arms control and disarmament goals. This opportunity may not reappear if we let it slip away”.