The conversation around nuclear energy is heating up, with both former President Donald Trump and New York Governor Kathy Hochul voicing strong support for its use. Though their motivations differ, both see nuclear power as a key to addressing pressing challenges: for Hochul, it’s the state’s climate goals; for Trump, it’s the future of artificial intelligence.
Governor Hochul has been clear about New York’s climate ambitions. Announced in 2019, the state’s climate agenda sets a high bar for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy use, and ultimately reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. But as the 2030 milestone approaches, the path to achieving these goals is looking more complicated than originally anticipated. Renewable sources like wind and solar, while crucial, are not proving sufficient to meet the enormous energy demands of a state like New York. Enter nuclear energy, which Hochul now sees as a necessary component to bridge the gap. By integrating nuclear power into the state’s energy portfolio, she believes New York can stay on track to meet its targets.
The governor’s stance is somewhat surprising, given the historical opposition to nuclear energy in New York, especially in the wake of the Indian Point Energy Center’s closure in 2021. The decision to shut down the plant was driven by concerns over safety and the environment, despite its contribution to reducing the state’s carbon emissions. Hochul’s pivot suggests a significant shift in the state’s energy strategy, one that acknowledges the limitations of renewables and the urgent need for reliable, carbon-free energy.
Meanwhile, Trump’s argument for nuclear power comes from a different angle altogether. As a 2024 presidential candidate, he is looking at the bigger picture of American industry and global competition. In a recent interview with podcast host Shawn Ryan, Trump emphasised the enormous energy requirements of the artificial intelligence sector. AI, with its vast computational needs, could strain existing power grids, especially if they rely heavily on intermittent renewable sources like wind and solar. Trump sees nuclear power as the solution to this problem, offering a consistent and massive energy supply that can support the growth of AI and other high-performance computing technologies.
Trump’s vision is ambitious. He sees AI as the “oil of the future,” a resource so valuable that nations will compete fiercely to lead in its development. To him, the key to winning this race lies in ensuring that the United States has the energy infrastructure to support AI’s growth. Nuclear power, with its ability to generate large amounts of electricity without emitting greenhouse gases, fits neatly into this vision.
Both Trump and Hochul’s endorsements of nuclear energy reflect a broader trend that is gaining momentum globally. Poland, for instance, has recently allocated $1.2 billion to construct its first nuclear energy plant. This marks a significant investment for a country that has historically relied on coal for its energy needs. Poland’s move to embrace nuclear power is driven by a desire to reduce carbon emissions while ensuring energy security in a region that is increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical tensions.
Sweden, too, is reconsidering its stance on nuclear power. The Swedish government is exploring a $28.5 billion investment to finance new nuclear reactors across the country. This is part of a larger effort to phase out fossil fuels and meet the country’s ambitious climate targets. Sweden’s interest in nuclear power highlights the challenges that even the most renewable-rich countries face in transitioning to a fully green energy system.
China’s commitment to nuclear energy is perhaps the most significant on the global stage. The Chinese government recently approved a $31 billion plan to build 11 new nuclear reactors. This move is in line with China’s broader strategy to reduce its reliance on coal and transition to cleaner energy sources. China’s embrace of nuclear power is driven by the dual goals of reducing carbon emissions and supporting the country’s rapidly growing energy needs.
These international developments suggest that nuclear power is experiencing a resurgence, driven by the twin pressures of climate change and the need for reliable energy sources. As countries around the world look to meet their climate goals, nuclear energy is increasingly seen as a necessary part of the solution.
For New York, the stakes are particularly high. The state’s climate agenda is one of the most ambitious in the United States, and its success or failure could set a precedent for other states. Hochul’s willingness to reconsider nuclear power is a pragmatic response to the challenges of meeting the state’s energy needs while also reducing carbon emissions. By embracing nuclear energy, New York could ensure that it meets its 2030 climate goals, while also positioning itself as a leader in clean energy.
Trump’s vision, on the other hand, speaks to the broader national and global context. As the United States looks to maintain its technological edge in fields like AI, the need for a robust and reliable energy infrastructure becomes increasingly important. Trump’s argument for nuclear power is rooted in the idea that energy security is critical to maintaining the country’s competitive advantage in the global economy.
Both leaders’ endorsements of nuclear power highlight the evolving conversation around energy in the United States. As the country grapples with the challenges of transitioning to a cleaner energy system, nuclear power is emerging as a potential solution to the limitations of renewables. The debate over nuclear energy is far from settled, but it is clear that the technology is gaining new attention as the world confronts the realities of climate change and the need for reliable energy sources.
The push for nuclear power is not without its challenges. Public perception of nuclear energy remains mixed, with concerns over safety, waste management, and cost. The legacy of past nuclear accidents continues to cast a long shadow, making it difficult to build public support for new projects. However, as the need for clean, reliable energy becomes more urgent, these concerns may be outweighed by the benefits that nuclear power offers.
For now, the conversation around nuclear energy is likely to continue evolving, shaped by the needs of states like New York and the broader national and global context. Whether or not nuclear power becomes a central component of the United States’ energy strategy remains to be seen, but it is clear that the technology is once again on the table as a serious option for meeting the country’s energy needs.
As Trump and Hochul make their cases for nuclear power, the broader implications of their arguments are worth considering. Nuclear energy, once seen as a relic of the past, is being reimagined as a critical tool for addressing the challenges of the future. Whether it’s powering the AI revolution or meeting ambitious climate goals, nuclear power is once again at the centre of the energy debate, offering a potential path forward in a world that increasingly demands both innovation and sustainability.
