US may have to go nuclear to meet climate goals, surging energy demand

For the first time in nearly two decades, power demand in the United States is on the rise . Electric utilities have nearly doubled their forecasts for additional power needs by 2028. To meet this growing demand and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, the Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that the country will need to triple its nuclear power output.

Efforts are already underway to expand nuclear power. One such development includes the potential revival of the Three Mile Island nuclear site in Pennsylvania.

The site, which experienced a partial meltdown in 1979 that soured American public opinion against nuclear power, has been out of operation for years. However, with rising energy needs, the site's owners are in serious talks with government officials about reopening it.

In addition to reviving old facilities, new nuclear projects are also being planned. Dominion Energy recently announced its plans to build the nation's first-ever small modular nuclear reactor (SMR) in Virginia. This technology promises a reduced environmental footprint and lower costs for consumers compared to larger reactors.

Other planned SMR projects around the country are aiming to offer energy prices that are competitive with wind and solar power.

In California, the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, which was slated to close this year, will now continue operating through 2030.

The plant provides around 10% of the power for California, the nation's second-largest energy-consuming state.

Environmental groups have brought legal action to try and force the closure of this aging facility, which first became operational in 1985. However, closing the plant would cost around $4 billion and remove California's largest single source of carbon-free power.

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