US Aims to Boost Nuclear Power as AI Fuels Energy Demand

The United States is setting its sights on a significant expansion of its nuclear power sector, driven by the escalating energy demands of artificial intelligence and other burgeoning technologies. The push for more nuclear energy is seen as a critical component in securing a stable and clean power supply for the future.

Ho K. Nieh, Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), recently discussed the progress and the agency's role in facilitating this expansion. Speaking on behalf of the NRC, Nieh highlighted the commission's commitment to streamlining the regulatory process for advanced nuclear reactor designs.

Streamlining for Advanced Reactors

Nieh explained that the NRC has been actively working to reform its licensing framework to accommodate the new generation of nuclear reactors. He noted that the commission issued a new technology-neutral licensing framework in March, designed to make the process more efficient for any type of reactor, including those utilizing advanced fuels and cooling methods.

The full discussion can be found on Bloomberg Podcast's YouTube channel.

"We are preparing the licensing frameworks for applications for commercial deployment," Nieh stated. "The NRC has taken major progress being made since President Trump issued his nuclear executive order a year ago last month. As you have heard, the Department of Energy has announced the criticality of integrating nuclear power with their plans for 11 new reactors under construction by 2030, but so far we haven't seen any actual tangible announcements. Can you give us a status update?"

Nieh elaborated on the proactive measures being taken: "We are preparing the licensing frameworks for applications for commercial deployment. So today, I was at the White House here in support of an event that the Department of Energy is sponsoring to upgrade the power output of America's existing nuclear reactors and to upgrade the licensing framework for applications for commercial deployment."

He further detailed the progress, stating, "Over the past 12 months, the NRC has taken some major steps to reform its licensing framework. What the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is doing as the nation's nuclear safety regulator, we are preparing the licensing frameworks for applications for commercial deployment. So today, I was at the White House here in support of an event that the Department of Energy is sponsoring to upgrade the power output of America's existing nuclear reactors and to upgrade the licensing framework for applications for commercial deployment. So today, I was at the White House here in support of an event that the Department of Energy is sponsoring to upgrade the power output of America's existing nuclear reactors and to upgrade the licensing framework for applications for commercial deployment."

Meeting Future Energy Demands

The drive for nuclear expansion is directly linked to the projected increase in energy consumption, with AI data centers being a significant contributor. Nieh emphasized the NRC's role in ensuring that this expansion is both efficient and safe.

"We are introducing efficiencies in our internal workflows, greater mechanisms for accountability, and how the federal government manages its resources and oversees its work," Nieh explained. "The NRC remains a strong regulator, and we continue to do so, even in light of all the activity here, because it is important that, you know, we continue to deliver our safety decisions in a way that is credible."

When asked about specific regulatory changes, Nieh clarified the commission's approach: "The NRC is not lowering its standards for safety. We are actually increasing our focus on safety by really looking at what matters most when we do our licensing activities. So, we are introducing efficiencies in our internal workflows, greater mechanisms for accountability, and how the federal government manages its resources and oversees its work. So, the NRC remains a strong regulator, and we continue to do so, even in light of all the activity here, because it is important that, you know, we continue to deliver our safety decisions in a way that is credible."

He further elaborated on the licensing framework changes: "We've actually renewed the operating licenses for 18 of the operating power reactors in the United States so that they can continue operating for another 20 additional years. We're expecting to receive more applications to increase the power output of the nation's reactors over the coming year."

Innovations in Reactor Technology

Nieh also touched upon the differences between existing and next-generation reactors. "We are talking about so many different designs today," he said. "The reactors that we are looking at today are much different than that. They use coolants that are not light water. They use other types of coolants such as high-temperature gas or molten salt. They come in different sizes, small, medium, large, and even micro-reactors."

He highlighted the key differentiator: "The other unique feature about these technologies is the fuel itself. The advanced reactors are using different fuel types and different manufacturing processes to create these fuels. All of these reactors that are being developed now use what is called passive safety features so that you don't have to rely on very specialized systems or components to respond to any type of event."

Nieh concluded by addressing the perception of regulatory hurdles for these new technologies: "As far as the decision to go forward with a data center, the NRC has no role in that. Our role is to do a rigorous safety review on time, on schedule, so that we do not introduce any undue delay in the power. But as far as the decision to go forward with a data center, the NRC has no role in that."