The Indicator from Planet Money Who's powering nuclear energy's comeback?
18 snips
Nov 14, 2024 Nuclear energy is making a surprising comeback, fueled by a push from the Biden administration to triple production by 2050. Major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are now investing in nuclear to power their operations sustainably. The discussion covers financial hurdles of traditional nuclear projects versus renewable alternatives, while small modular reactors emerge as a promising solution. The podcast also tackles critical issues like waste management and safety, underscoring the urgency of redefining nuclear's role in a carbon-free future.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Nuclear Energy's Comeback
- Nuclear energy is gaining favor due to its potential in reducing carbon emissions, as discussed at COP29.
- The Biden administration aims to triple U.S. nuclear energy production by 2050, supported by the Inflation Reduction Act's subsidies.
Tech Giants Embrace Nuclear
- Amazon, Microsoft, and Google signed deals for nuclear energy to power their AI data centers.
- This is driven by the increasing energy demands of AI and the subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act.
Small Modular Reactors
- Small modular reactors (SMRs) offer a potential solution to the high cost of traditional nuclear power plants.
- Currently, no SMRs are commercially producing energy in the U.S., but they are being explored.