Climate Central Solutions Brief: Nuclear Energy

The document provides an overview of nuclear energy as a low-carbon, high-capacity power source, detailing its current contribution to the U.S. electricity mix and the challenges facing its growth. It highlights the aging state of the U.S. nuclear fleet, the lack of a permanent radioactive waste disposal solution, and the high costs and delays associated with new construction. The brief also explores emerging technologies, such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Generation IV reactors, as potential paths to maintain nuclear power's role in a decarbonized economy.

• Nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source with high capacity factors, typically operating at 90% or more of maximum capacity annually, making it a reliable complement to variable renewables like wind and solar.
• In 2022, nuclear energy provided approximately 18% of U.S. electricity (772 million MWh), though it has been surpassed by renewable energy generation in the U.S. since 2021 and globally since 2019.
• The U.S. nuclear fleet is aging and shrinking, with an average reactor age of around 40 years and more than two dozen reactors currently undergoing decommissioning.
• Nuclear energy growth is hindered by significant economic and temporal risks, exemplified by the Vogtle Units 3 and 4 projects, which cost over $31 billion—more than double the original budget.
• The U.S. lacks a permanent disposal facility for the nearly 90,000 metric tons of spent fuel generated since the 1950s, relying instead on interim storage in pools or dry casks at over 70 facilities.
• Small modular reactors (SMRs) and Generation IV reactors, such as TerraPower's Natrium fast reactor in Wyoming, are being developed to reduce costs, shorten construction times, and improve safety.
• Nuclear fusion offers the potential for vast energy production without radioactive waste or meltdown risks, but experts believe it will not be available at scale until mid-century or later.

APA

Climate Central (n.d.). Climate Central Solutions Brief: Nuclear Energy. https://www.climatecentral.org/report/climate-central-solutions-brief-nuclear-energy

Chicago

Climate Central. Climate Central Solutions Brief: Nuclear Energy. n.d. https://www.climatecentral.org/report/climate-central-solutions-brief-nuclear-energy.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Central |title=Climate Central Solutions Brief: Nuclear Energy |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/report/climate-central-solutions-brief-nuclear-energy |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatecentralndclimate, author = {{Climate Central}}, title = {{Climate Central Solutions Brief: Nuclear Energy}}, institution = {Climate Central}, url = {https://www.climatecentral.org/report/climate-central-solutions-brief-nuclear-energy}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }