Decouple Why the First Nuclear Renaissance Failed: Can America Build Eight AP1000s Now?
Dec 11, 2025
James Carlinstein, CEO of Alva Energy and veteran in nuclear project development, dives deep into the failures of America's first nuclear revival. He unveils how cheap shale gas and the fallout from the Fukushima disaster halted progress. With plans for eight AP1000 reactors, James emphasizes the need for strong developer organizations over mere reactor design. He analyzes lessons from the troubled Vogtle and Summer projects and argues that reviving institutional capacity is essential for a successful nuclear comeback in the U.S.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Developer Organization Matters Most
- U.S. nuclear builds historically depended on powerful utility developer organizations, not just vendors.
- That in-house capability enabled standardized integration of NSSS and balance-of-plant and drove project success.
Cost-Plus Incentives Drove Early Builds
- Regulated utilities could pass capital costs to the rate base and earn a regulated return, which incentivized large builds.
- That cost-plus model reduced owners' downside and encouraged repeated projects in the mid-20th century.
Policy Tools Rebooted The 2000s Push
- The 2000s 'nuclear renaissance' had serious policy support: Part 52, the LPO, and New Start funding.
- Vendors and utilities pursued multiple large designs with federal backing and COL activity.
