Jan 21, 2025
Nuclear power generation has gotten both safer and more efficient.
As nuclear power generation has gotten both safer and more efficient, there has been a noticeable push toward nuclear over fossil fuel technologies. But building new nuclear facilities is easier said than done. Between federal regulations and an exceptionally expensive licensing process, nuclear power generation is being forced to sit on the bench.
Things could change if a lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Texas is decided in favor of the plaintiffs: the states of Texas and Utah along with a nuclear technology company known as Last Energy. In their suit, the plaintiffs contend that licensing procedures developed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NCR) are far too burdensome and costly.
The Heart of the Case
The lawsuit in question hinges on the processes required to license a new nuclear facility. It starts with a pre-application process that can take years to complete. It is followed by a formal application that can sit in the evaluation stage for two years or longer.
While an applicant is working its way through the process, it is spending large amounts of money without any guarantee that its application will be approved. The plaintiffs specifically state in their lawsuit that "building a new commercial reactor of any size in the United States has become virtually impossible." They go on to state their opinion that the NRC is less about regulating reactor construction and more about ensuring no new reactors are ever built.
Just Three in 28 Years
The lawsuit also contends that just three nuclear reactors have been built in this country over the last 28 years. Plaintiffs say that it is not due to a lack of demand or technology that isn't up to par. Instead, it's an uncooperative NRC that simply will not approve new applications.
Obviously, this is something for the courts to figure out. The one thing we know for sure is that applicants do spend an awful lot of money trying to get approval. If they could spend less and be reasonably assured that their applications would be approved in significantly less time, perhaps more companies would be willing to invest in nuclear power generation.
Potential Benefits of Nuclear Power
Here in the U.S., we generate power through fossil fuels and natural resources. We are actively trying to reduce fossil fuel consumption, but power generation via wind, sun, and geothermal are nowhere near capable of meeting all our needs. So we need to either figure out ways to boost green energy production or look for a suitable replacement for fossil fuels.
Nuclear power generation could be a suitable replacement. It offers a variety of benefits including:
Minimal greenhouse gas emissions
Exceptionally high power output
Unmasked reliability
Minimal footprint requirements
Limited impact on air quality
Exceptionally long operational lifespan
Nuclear power generation also offers the promise of job creation and economic stimulation. The nuclear industry already supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. Those jobs would only be added to with the introduction of new power facilities.
A Key to Energy Security
There are some who would go so far as to suggest that nuclear is one of the keys to our energy security moving forward. Bringing more nuclear facilities online should theoretically support energy independence and enhance America's leadership in nuclear power technology.
Will the future include a lot more nuclear power generation? Time will tell. First though, the plaintiffs in the Texas case need to convince the court that it is too costly and time consuming to get NRC approval. If they can get over that hurdle, they will be on their way.
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