What's Keeping Nuclear Energy From Playing a Larger Role in Decarbonization? (w/ Dr. Matt Bowen)

The International Energy Agency, among other prominent modelers of our energy future, projects that nuclear energy's current global capacity must double by 2050 in order for the world to hit its decarbonization goals. The annual investments needed to reach this doubling far exceed anything that's being invested today in new nuclear facilities. Just one new nuclear reactor has been successfully built in the United States in the last 30 years, and the United States hasn't financed new reactors in other countries for decades.

If the United States is truly committed to reducing emissions, why aren't we seeing more investment in nuclear energy, a base fuel that could replace coal and natural gas? How do other countries compare to the United States when it comes to investments in new nuclear energy, the costs and project timelines of new nuclear construction, and the regulations and incentives? Dr. Matt Bowen from the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA joins the podcast today to answer these questions and to provide a detailed look at the current nuclear energy landscape around the world.

Further Reading:

The Uncertain Costs of New Nuclear Reactors

A Critical Disconnect

Improving the Efficiency of NRC Power Reactor Licensing

Comparing Government Financing of Reactor Exports

And check out the upcoming Columbia webinar: https://www.energypolicy.columbia.edu/events/reactor-costs-and-decarbonization-efforts/

As always, follow us @climatepod on Twitter and email us at theclimatepod@gmail.com. Our music is "Gotta Get Up" by The Passion Hifi, check out his music at thepassionhifi.com. Rate, review and subscribe to this podcast on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, and more! Subscribe to our YouTube channel! Join our Facebook group.