The Nuclear Option: Unleashing America’s Energy Future

By Rob Bluey, The Daily Signal | November 22, 2024

Nuclear power stands at a critical crossroads in America. With growing demands for electricity and a desire from the incoming Trump administration to bolster America’s energy independence, nuclear energy has the potential to transform our future.

So what’s preventing the United States from experiencing a nuclear revolution?

In a groundbreaking new book published Thursday, Heritage Foundation senior research fellow Jack Spencer, host of “The Power Hour” podcast, argues that nuclear power can be a dynamic, market-driven energy source—but only if government gets out of the way.

“Nuclear Revolution: Powering the Next Generation” (Optimum Publishing International) makes the case that regulatory barriers have made nuclear power unnecessarily expensive rather than the economically competitive energy source it should be.

“If we’re going to meet the energy demands of this country, and if nuclear is going to provide it, we don’t need a renaissance,” Spencer said. “We need a revolution.”

Today, a maze of outdated regulations are stifling innovation while doing little to enhance safety. To fulfill nuclear power’s potential, Spencer said it’ll take more than messing around on the margins.

“The basis of U.S. energy policy should not be to meet a certain mix of energy sources. It should be to ensure Americans have access to affordable, reliable energy,” Spencer said. “Nuclear should be part of that mix, and policy has prevented it from being what it could be.”

Rob Bluey is president and executive editor of The Daily Signal.

Original article link