Why Nuclear Declined and Why It's Returning

AI has reawakened interest in nuclear energy, but rebooting America’s nuclear age will take time and face challenges.

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Welcome back to The Blockspace Podcast! Today, Dr. Hashem Hashemian, President of the American Nuclear Society and CEO of AMS, joins us to talk about the massive resurgence of nuclear energy in the United States. We dive into the shift from decommissioning plants to life-extensions of up to 100 years, the economic impact of AI and data centers on power demand, and the $12 billion investment flowing into Tennessee's nuclear hub. Dr. Hashemian explains why nuclear fell out of favor and the challenges the industry faces as it gets back on its feet.

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Notes:

* 94 nuclear plants produce 20% of US power.

* License extensions aim for 100-year lifespans.

* $12B committed for nuclear fuel refining in Oak Ridge.

* $100M Tennessee state funding for nuclear dev.

* Global nuclear must triple for climate goals.

* $1.7B Oklo recycling plant coming to Tennessee.

Timestamps:

00:00 Start

05:51 Tennessee represent

07:56 State of the nuclear industry

10:42 Nuclear faded in USA

17:19 Barriers to Nuclear development

20:12 Reforming the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

27:01 Red tape

29:47 What other policies would be good?

32:41 China copying

34:17 Remaining chokepoints

38:05 States leading the charge

40:46 Are SMRs really a thing?

44:18 Why are SMRs taking so long?

46:21 Fusion? Are we still talking about this?

48:56 Recycling fuel

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