After decades of stagnation following the Three Mile Island incident, nuclear energy is making a strong comeback in the United States. The reason is not only environmental or technological: it’s strategic. As the global race for artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates, the U.S. is rediscovering the value of reliable, emissions-free power.

This week, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced plans to build a new gigawatt-scale nuclear power plant in upstate New York —the first major public nuclear project since 2009. It will be led by the New York Power Authority (NYPA).

According to Axios, the announcement reflects both symbolism and substance. Politically, it demonstrates growing bipartisan support for nuclear energy: while New York emphasizes climate goals, President Donald Trump promotes nuclear as a tool for “energy dominance” and geopolitical strength, without climate references. Practically, Hochul warned of rolling blackouts if the state doesn’t boost supply.

NYPA will immediately begin evaluating potential sites, technologies, and business models. Hochul told The Wall Street Journal —as noted by Axios— that the state is considering Constellation Energy’s three existing nuclear plants. It's still unclear whether the final project will involve one large reactor or multiple small modular reactors (SMRs).

Private investment is also accelerating. On June 3, Meta signed a 20-year deal with Constellation to secure 1,121 megawatts of clean energy from the Clinton Clean Energy Center in Illinois. The plant powers over 800,000 homes, avoids millions of tons of CO₂ emissions, and will increase capacity. “While other communities are losing jobs, Meta is investing in our future,” said Clinton Mayor Helen Michelassi.

Constellation, which operates 12 nuclear facilities and accounts for 25% of U.S. nuclear output, plans to invest billions to expand capacity by 1,000 megawatts and create over 11,000 sustainable jobs. The company also welcomed the executive order signed by Trump on May 23 to fast-track nuclear deployment at military bases and federal AI data centers, which are now designated as critical infrastructure.

“Nuclear power is a 24/7 resource, just like the data centers it serves,” said Constellation CEO Joseph Domínguez recently. “We can’t rely on intermittent resources for something this important.”

Still, the rapid shift raises concerns. Some experts warn that accelerating permitting could undermine the independence of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), though the administration insists that safety standards will remain intact.

As Axios reported, Hochul’s shift represents a major U-turn. The 2021 shutdown of Indian Point—just miles from New York City—was once seen as a landmark move against atomic energy. Today, some state Republicans have introduced bills to study its reopening, though restarting the dismantled plant is widely viewed as impossible.

Meanwhile, public support for nuclear is rising. According to Gallup, approval grew from 55% in 2024 to 61% in 2025.

Once seen as a relic of the past, nuclear energy is becoming the backbone of America’s digital future.

With information from AFP