In a recent address in Waynesboro, Georgia, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm advocated for the construction of additional nuclear reactors in the United States and globally. This call comes on the heels of the successful completion of two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle, a project that cost nearly $35 billion. The reactors, which can each power 500,000 homes and businesses without emitting carbon, have been hailed as a significant step towards reducing climate-changing emissions.
Granholm emphasized the need for the U.S. to increase its nuclear capacity, stating that the country should aim to triple its current capacity to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. While the federal government is working to mitigate the risks associated with nuclear construction, the substantial cost overruns at Plant Vogtle serve as a cautionary tale for other utilities.
