The Biden administration bets big on nuclear power despite past failures

The Biden administration is determined to revive nuclear energy to meet climate goals, despite the industry's history of cost overruns and delays.

Evan Halper reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

• Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm emphasized the need to triple nuclear energy output by 2050 to meet climate targets.
• The Vogtle plant in Georgia, despite its extensive delays and cost overruns, is now the largest source of zero-emissions energy in the U.S.
• The administration is also pushing for small modular reactors and reactivating decommissioned plants to boost nuclear energy.

Key quote:

“Whether it happens through small modular reactors, or AP1000s, or maybe another design out there worthy of consideration, we want to see nuclear built.”

— Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Energy Secretary

Why this matters:

With increasing power demands and climate change pressures, the U.S. needs reliable, zero-emissions energy sources. Reviving nuclear power could provide an important boost for achieving sustainable energy independence. Read more: Past deadline and over budget, nuclear energy is struggling.