Cato Podcast Atomic Economics
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Aug 5, 2025 Peter Van Doren and David Kemp dissect the growing bipartisan push for nuclear power, probing how political dynamics shape energy policies. They reveal the harsh economic realities of nuclear plant construction and the failures of recent U.S. projects. The conversation then shifts to small modular reactors, debating their touted cost advantages and questioning whether they truly represent a silver bullet for the industry's woes. The risks of ongoing subsidies and challenges in achieving a sustainable nuclear future are also on the table.
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Bipartisan Nuclear Support Puzzle
- Nuclear power enjoys rare bipartisan support in U.S. politics despite historic disagreements on energy policy.
- Both left and right see nuclear as a political solution to appeal to their supporters in addressing climate and energy security.
Why Parties Support Nuclear Differently
- Democrats favor nuclear to fight climate change as it produces no fossil fuels.
- Republicans support nuclear for energy security and competition with China and Russia.
Nuclear Construction Costs Persist
- Nuclear power plants are historically very costly and prone to delays globally.
- New projects like Vogtle and VC Summer vastly exceeded costs and timelines, illustrating persistent economic challenges.