Why America Must Double Down On Nuclear Energy

Abstract: I believe nuclear energy is poised for a vital resurgence. Amid rising global temperatures, surging data center demand, and bipartisan support for innovation, now is the time to double down on nuclear power. This article explores the environmental, economic, and health benefits of next-generation nuclear energy—from advanced reactor technology and the ADVANCE Act to Tennessee’s leadership and global developments. With zero carbon emissions, unmatched reliability, and growing private sector investment, nuclear energy can be the cornerstone for America’s clean, resilient, and competitive future.

A Nuclear Wake-Up Call from Washington

On May 23, 2025, the Trump administration issued a sweeping set of executive orders aimed at jumpstarting the U.S. nuclear energy industry. In a ceremony at the White House, the President announced directives for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to overhaul and streamline its approval process, aiming to license new reactors within just 18 months. Another order instructed the Departments of Energy and Defense to explore building reactors on federal lands, including military bases and data center sites.

The orders set an ambitious goal: quadruple the nation’s nuclear capacity from 100 to 400 gigawatts by 2050. In doing so, the administration hopes to power an AI- and cloud-driven economy while cutting carbon emissions and bolstering U.S. energy independence.

But the proposals as you might expect are not without controversy. Some scientists and regulatory experts fear the orders could weaken safety oversight. Critics worry that consolidating power over the NRC under the White House may erode its independence. Still, the underlying signal is clear: nuclear power is back in the national spotlight—and I strongly agree that it’s time we take that seriously.

As a former US senator, physician, and Tennessean who has long championed science-based energy solutions at the federal and state level, I believe this moment presents a powerful opportunity. Done right—with safety, science, and transparency at the forefront—this could mark a turning point. The time to double down on nuclear is now.

The Case for Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy has long been at the center of energy debates since I entered the Senate in 1995, but its importance is becoming clearer than ever. As a carbon-free, high-capacity, and dependable power source, nuclear energy now provides half of America’s clean (carbon-free) electricity. Unlike wind and solar, which depend on fluctuating weather patterns, nuclear plants run at full capacity 93% of the time, far exceeding wind (33%) and solar (23%), promising a more consistent and large-scale energy supply.

The environmental benefits of nuclear power to our human health are undeniable. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, nuclear energy prevents 470 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions each year, equivalent to removing 100 million cars from the road. Interestingly, countries with strong nuclear programs have 19% lower carbon footprints than the global average. Irrespective of one’s view on climate change, less carbon in the air is better for your health and well-being.

Concerns over cost and nuclear waste management continue, but advancements in reactor technology are actively addressing both challenges. The ADVANCE Act (Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy), passed into law in 2024 with overwhelming bipartisan support, is already streamlining reactor licensing, accelerating deployment, and cutting regulatory barriers. Meanwhile, small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors promise safer, more affordable, and faster-to-build nuclear energy solutions. The federal government’s $900 million investment in SMR technology underscores the confidence in this next-generation nuclear infrastructure.

With AI data centers, electric vehicles, and industrial expansion leading to a huge surge in U.S. energy demand, nuclear energy stands as the most scalable, carbon-free solution to meet these growing needs.

Planetary Health is Essential for Human Health

As a physician I look at planetary health through the lens of how it affects the health of individuals and their families. The changing climate with hotter days and increased weather extremes is not just an environmental issue; with advancing science we now know it is a serious public health concern as well. Record-breaking heat waves now occur annually, with over 1,200 deaths per year in the U.S. attributed to extreme heat. Asthma, heart attacks, and vector-borne diseases like Lyme and West Nile virus are all on the rise. Wildfires, fueled by higher temperatures, are blanketing communities in toxic smoke.

To more fully protect public health, we must reduce greenhouse emissions. Nuclear energy, which produces zero emissions during operation and has the potential to rapidly scale, is one of the most powerful tools we have to do so.

Favorable Public Opinion and Bipartisan Support is on the Rise

When I was in the Senate 20 years ago, public attitudes on nuclear energy were for the most part negative. That has dramatically changed. According to a 2024 survey, the percentage of Americans who “strongly” or “somewhat support” nuclear power rose from 49% to 61% between 2018 and 2022. While support dipped slightly in 2023, it rebounded to 55% in 2024, reflecting a growing recognition of nuclear power’s role in energy security and climate action.

Concerns over safety, waste disposal, and nuclear proliferation have steadily declined, though cost remains a primary public concern. However, the momentum in policy as reflected in last week’s executive orders and last year’s ADVANCE Act, investment (see below with private sector commitments), and innovation suggest that affordability challenges will be mitigated in the coming years.

In the Senate I learned that policy frequently follows public support, and that support is especially impactful if it is bipartisan. Bipartisan support for nuclear power is stronger than ever. The same 2024 survey found that 56% of Democrats and 62% of Republicans support nuclear expansion, a rare point of political agreement. This was seen in the passage of the ADVANCE Act last July, which received significant support from both parties. In the words of Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), then Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee:

“With the ADVANCE Act being signed into law, we secured a landmark win for the future of nuclear energy here in America. Getting substantive, bipartisan policy across the finish line isn’t always easy, but this is the result of years of work to build widespread consensus about the benefits of advanced nuclear reactors to our electric grid, economy, and environment.”

At the 29^th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2024, more than 20 countries pledged to triple nuclear capacity by 2050, showing global confidence in nuclear energy as a critical tool for decarbonization. The return of Three Mile Island Unit 1 in Pennsylvania (Microsoft supported) and Palisades in Michigan, along with the completion of Vogtle Units 3 and 4 in Georgia (the first newly built nuclear reactors in the US in over 30 years), signals that skepticism toward nuclear power is giving way to renewed optimism.

Tennessee’s Nuclear Legacy

I have followed nuclear issues in Tennessee for three decades, first in my years representing Tennessee in the Senate from 1995 until 2007, and now in my work to advance planetary health. The state’s relationship with nuclear energy runs deep. It was at Oak Ridge, during the Manhattan Project, where the modern atomic age was born. Oak Ridge National Laboratory remains a hub of innovation today, including work on advanced reactor designs, nuclear fuels, and safety technologies. And the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)—created during the Great Depression to bring electricity and economic development to the region—was one of the earliest adopters of civilian nuclear power.

In fact, the first commercial nuclear reactor in the U.S. to supply electricity to the grid was TVA’s Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in northern Alabama, just across the Tennessee border. Since then, TVA has become one of the largest nuclear operators in the country, running seven nuclear reactors at three sites: Watts Bar, Sequoyah, and Browns Ferry.

Today, nuclear provides nearly 40% of Tennessee’s electricity, making it the state’s largest single source of carbon-free power. It helps keep our grid reliable and our emissions lower—even as we electrify more of our economy.

On January 20, 2025, TVA announced an $800 million initiative to build small modular reactors (SMRs) statewide, with support from Oak Ridge National Laboratory. SMRs, being smaller than traditional reactors, offer enhanced safety, scalable design, and versatile deployment in remote areas or existing power grids. The first of these reactors are expected by 2033. Just this month, TVA became the first utility company in the United States to request a permit to construct a small modular reactor.

TVA is embracing public-private partnerships to address safety, affordability, and speed. Tennessee is showing the country what smart, collaborative, innovation-driven energy policy looks like.

The Data Center Boom and Tech Investment

We are on the cusp of a global energy explosion. By 2040, total electricity demand in the U.S. is projected to increase by 30%, with AI data centers alone expected to consume 8–10% of global power. According to Goldman Sachs, their energy consumption is projected to rise by 160% by 2030. These servers must run 24/7, with no downtime.

That means energy sources must be baseload—always on, unlike solar or wind. Nuclear can help fill that gap. Plants operate at over 90% capacity, more than any other energy source. They are ideal for powering industrial clusters, tech campuses, and secure defense operations.

We are seeing the tech giants making massive investments in nuclear energy:

• Microsoft is backing the recommissioning of Three Mile Island Unit 1 and Palisades.

• Google is investing in seven SMRs through Kairos Power, targeting 500 MW by 2035.

• Amazon has partnered with X-energy to develop 5 GW by 2039.

• Oracle has secured permits for three SMRs.

In addition, Major financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America, have also begun financing nuclear projects, a significant reversal from previous hesitations.

Global Nuclear Momentum

The U.S. helped pioneer nuclear energy—but we’re now falling behind.

China leads the world in reactor construction, building more reactors than the next six countries combined. It is developing fourth-generation reactor technology and dominates global nuclear patents. China’s ACP100 “Linglong One” small modular reactor, expected to be operational by the end of this year, is the world’s first land-based, commercial small modular reactor.

Finland is developing the world’s first deep geological repository for nuclear waste (called Onkalo), widely viewed as the most advanced and safest permanent waste solution in the world, while Sweden, France, and South Korea continue expanding their fleets.

Safety and Waste, Complicated but Manageable Challenges

Safety must remain paramount. After the 1979 partial meltdown at Three Mile Island, U.S. regulators took bold steps to ensure no such incident would happen again. And they succeeded: since then, America’s nuclear fleet has operated with an exceptional safety record. Modern reactors feature passive cooling, redundant safety layers, and real-time monitoring. Nuclear has the lowest mortality rate per kilowatt-hour among major energy sources.

During my tenure in the Senate, the nuclear waste debate was front and center—dominated by Yucca Mountain and whether to proceed with construction and licensing, how to do so safely, and what to do in the meantime. We saw deep partisan divisions, but also a rare bipartisan urgency to find a long-term solution—one that, more than two decades later, remains unresolved.

Today, all of the commercial nuclear waste generated in the U.S. could fit on a single football field, stacked 30 feet high. It is currently stored safely on-site at reactor locations in dry casks, encased in steel and concrete. But as nuclear power expands, we’ll need a more robust and permanent solution.

In recent years, the Department of Energy has taken steps to reimagine its nuclear waste strategy. Its Office of Environmental Management released its Strategic Vision for 2024-2034 that emphasizes environmental and climate considerations and leans heavily on public-private partnerships. Yet this effort has not gone without scrutiny. The Government Accountability Office flagged key shortcomings, including a lack of comprehensiveness and inconsistencies with statutory requirements.

Still, there are signs of progress. We are seeing a shift toward greater transparency, shared responsibility, and collaboration between government, industry, and communities—all essential if we are to ensure public trust and long-term safety.

Innovations and Key Events Placing Progress in Perspective

As I engage on nuclear issues, I am frequently asked for some of the exciting things happening in the US. Here are some examples:

• The ADVANCE Act, passed in 2024, is streamlining licensing and accelerating deployment.

• Vogtle Unit 3 and Unit 4 were completed in 2023 and 2024 respectively, becoming the first commercial reactors completed in the U.S. this century. Upon completion, Vogtle Unit 4 became the largest clean energy facility in the United States.

• The Natrium Project, an innovative nuclear facility proposal backed by Bill Gates’ TerraPower, has received approval to replace a retired coal plant Wyoming.

• Deep Fission, a nuclear startup, is designing underground microreactors for data centers, aiming for operation by 2029.

• A $900 million federal initiative is funding SMR demonstrations to prove their economic feasibility.

• The Department of Energy is engaging in new international partnerships, such as the establishment of training centers in Poland and Ghana, which are expanding global nuclear expertise.

The Path Forward

To harness the full potential of nuclear energy, we must streamline the regulatory process and accelerate licensing for new plants and technologies. The ADVANCE Act was an important first step, but it’s just the beginning. We also need to invest boldly in research and development—supporting innovation that not only expands our energy capabilities but also improves how we manage nuclear waste.

Innovation alone isn’t enough. Public engagement and education will be key to building trust. And international collaboration, learning from global leaders and sharing best practices, will help ensure we get this right.

We live in a remarkable moment in history. Yes, there’s uncertainty. But there is also immense opportunity. The full potential of nuclear innovation has yet to be realized, and that should inspire optimism. By investing in nuclear energy and research, I believe we can secure a healthier, safer, and more economically resilient American future.

As a physician, I see the health consequences of air pollution and rising heat. As a policymaker, I see the urgency of real, science-based climate action. And as a Tennessean, I see a state that is showing the nation how to lead.

Let’s double down on nuclear—for our climate, our economy, and our health.