The Revival of U.S. Nuclear Energy: After decades of decline, the United States is witnessing a powerful resurgence in nuclear energy development. Once sidelined by cost overruns and regulatory hurdles, nuclear power is re-emerging as a cornerstone of America’s clean energy and data infrastructure strategy. From the reopening of shuttered plants to record levels of private investment, 2025 marks the most significant momentum in the sector since the late twentieth century.
Federal Push and Policy Renewal
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has reaffirmed nuclear power as a key pillar of its long-term clean energy strategy. Through the Civil Nuclear Credit Program, billions have been set aside to prevent premature shutdowns of operating plants. The Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program (ARDP) continues to provide cost-sharing partnerships with private developers such as TerraPower, X-Energy, and Kairos Power to speed commercialization of advanced small modular reactors (SMRs).
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is streamlining licensing for next-generation reactors. In 2023, NuScale Power’s VOYGR SMR became the first modular reactor design certified for use in the United States — a milestone that cleared the way for utilities to pursue smaller, factory-built nuclear plants in coming years.
Corporate Investments and Market Acceleration
A pivotal moment came in October 2025, when Westinghouse Electric, Cameco Corp, and Brookfield Asset Management announced an $80 billion joint nuclear initiative, according to Reuters. The plan centers on expanding North American nuclear fuel production, upgrading existing reactor fleets, and developing new reactor technologies for export. The deal underscores Wall Street’s growing confidence in nuclear energy as a reliable, long-term investment.
In parallel, major energy users — particularly AI and cloud data center operators — are exploring direct nuclear partnerships to secure around-the-clock carbon-free power. Although most arrangements remain in early stages, the trend is clear: the next generation of U.S. digital infrastructure will likely rely on nuclear baseload energy as part of its sustainability and energy-security mix.
The Revival of U.S. Nuclear Energy: Plant Reopenings and Life-Extensions
The most visible sign of revival lies in the return of previously retired reactors and extensions of aging ones:
Palisades Nuclear Plant (Michigan) — Acquired by Holtec International, the facility became the first in U.S. history to move toward restarting after closure, supported by conditional DOE funding through the Civil Nuclear Credit Program.
Diablo Canyon (California) — The state granted a life-extension agreement to keep its two reactors running until at least 2030, after previously scheduling retirement. The decision was driven by grid reliability concerns and California’s clean energy goals.
Prairie Island and Dresden plants (Midwest) — Both received license extensions allowing continued operation into the 2050s, reflecting national confidence in the safety and economics of existing nuclear assets.
Duane Arnold Energy Center (Iowa) — In one of 2025’s most notable commercial developments, NextEra Energy announced plans to lead a roughly $1.6 billion redevelopment of the Duane Arnold site (a 615 MW facility that closed in 2020). Meanwhile, Google has also signed a long-term power purchase agreement to buy electricity from the restarted plant for 25 years, thereby anchoring demand and improving the financing case for the restart.
These reopenings, paired with license renewals, are expected to preserve more than 10 GW of carbon-free capacity nationwide.
Next-Generation Reactors and New Construction
Beyond restarts, an array of new-build and advanced reactor projects are progressing:
TerraPower Natrium Reactor – Wyoming
Backed by Bill Gates and supported under the DOE’s ARDP, this sodium-cooled reactor pairs with molten-salt energy storage to provide flexible, grid-balancing power. The plant’s site work continues in partnership with PacifiCorp.
Kairos Power Hermes Demonstration – Tennessee
Under NRC licensing review, the Hermes test reactor is a key step toward deploying the company’s low-pressure, fluoride-salt-cooled technology. Construction on supporting infrastructure is underway in Oak Ridge.
X-Energy Xe-100 SMR – Washington State
X-Energy is preparing a four-unit, 320 MW demonstration at a site near the Energy Northwest campus in Richland. Backed by federal cost-sharing and intended to showcase modular deployment potential.
Southern Company – Vogtle Units 3 & 4 (Georgia)
The first new large-scale nuclear units in the U.S. in more than three decades. Vogtle’s additional reactors entered commercial service in 2023 and 2024. Together, they add more than 2.2 GW of baseload capacity to the Southeast grid.
Oklo Aurora Reactor – Idaho National Laboratory
Oklo’s compact fast reactor received NRC acceptance for licensing review and DOE site authorization. The project represents a new micro-reactor model focused on off-grid or remote applications.
Fuel Security and Supply Chain Independence
Energy security remains a central driver. The Cameco-Westinghouse partnership aims to re-establish a domestic uranium enrichment and conversion capability, reducing reliance on Russian fuel imports. The DOE’s HALEU Availability Program is funding early production of high-assay low-enriched uranium to supply next-generation reactors under development.
Outlook: Toward a Nuclear-Powered Future
Together, these developments mark a decisive shift in U.S. energy direction. Fed policy, private capital, and industrial demand are converging to make nuclear energy both economically viable and strategically essential once again.
If current projects continue on pace, the U.S. could see dozens of new or revitalized reactors operating by the mid-2030s. Supplying stable, carbon-free electricity to a rapidly electrifying economy — a true revival of American nuclear power.
