Should AI Use Up America’s Nuclear Power?

“Largest tech companies are looking to buy nuclear power directly from plants, which could sap the grid of critical resources”  ….The Wall Street Journal.

The battle over who has access to America’s energy and the load on the country’s energy grid has reached an unseen level in national history and certainly not in this century.

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Yale Environment 360 recently reported, “Data centers’ electricity consumption in 2026 is projected to reach 1,000 terawatts, roughly Japan’s total consumption.” At current electricity generation levels, the US can’t support this level of consumption, even with the projected rise in renewables, particularly wind and solar. The wildcard is the use of nuclear energy, which faces some hurdles.

Fear Of Reactors

A major reason nuclear energy is not more widely used in America is the partial meltdown of a reactor at Three Mile Island in 1979. Recent research shows that although many Americans may support the use of nuclear energy, they want it to be located somewhere other than where they live.

A new generation of reactors, Small modular reactors (SMRs), are advanced nuclear reactors being developed in the United States to be safe, clean, and affordable. Bill Gates recently invested in a project that will employ this type of technology. But who will control the output?

The debate over energy use includes individuals and legacy businesses. As AI expansion requires more energy, one of two things happens: electricity bills rise, and electricity is not available 24/7. This fight will become a political battle.

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