America's Nuclear Comeback Gains Steam

Private sector innovation is driving a resurgence in nuclear energy as the U.S. seeks to power its modern economy.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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After decades of treating nuclear energy as a relic, the U.S. is rediscovering the need for reliable, round-the-clock power generation to meet surging electricity demand. American companies are advancing technologies to recycle used nuclear fuel and repurpose surplus plutonium, unlocking vast new energy reserves. This private-sector innovation is a strategic answer to China's aggressive coal buildout, positioning the U.S. to out-innovate its global rival and maintain economic and geopolitical leadership.

Why it matters

Nuclear power provides the dense, reliable electricity needed to power a modern economy, in contrast to the intermittency of renewable sources like wind and solar. Harnessing America's nuclear potential can help the U.S. reshore industry, maintain technological dominance, and enhance energy security - critical priorities as the country competes with China's rapid energy expansion.

The details

Advanced fuel recycling processes can safely convert used nuclear fuel, which still contains over 90% of its original energy, into usable material for modern reactors. Repurposing surplus Cold War plutonium into advanced reactor fuel also reduces a national security liability while producing domestic energy and skilled jobs. These innovations from American companies are more efficient and economical than past federal programs, reclaiming U.S. leadership in nuclear technology.

  • For decades, the U.S. government treated nuclear energy as a relic of the past.
  • The U.S. has stored more than 90,000 tons of used nuclear fuel across dozens of sites, costing taxpayers close to $1 billion annually.
  • Countries like France have been recycling nuclear fuel for decades, delivering dependable electricity with strong safety records.

The players

Chris Wright

The current U.S. Energy Secretary who is moving federal energy policy back toward engineering reality and away from political fantasy.

Beijing

The Chinese capital, where the government has been building hundreds of gigawatts of new coal-fired generation, often commissioning plants over months rather than decades.

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What they’re saying

“When the administration reinstated the National Coal Council, reversing its elimination under the Biden administration, Wright was blunt about the consequences of ignoring proven energy sources, calling the prior decision a product of ' ignorance and arrogance. '”

— Chris Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary (thehill.com)

What’s next

The Biden administration is expected to continue supporting the development of advanced nuclear technologies as part of its broader energy and climate agenda.

The takeaway

By unleashing private-sector nuclear innovation, expanding reliable energy sources like coal and natural gas, and rejecting the illusion that intermittent renewables can replace baseload power, the U.S. has the opportunity to turn decades of energy mismanagement into a strategic advantage over China.