Amid the ongoing division that exists between US states, a new trend has emerged that promotes cooperation through an initiative aimed at the nuclear sector. Several US states have signed on to advance the nuclear power industry in the United States, despite overwhelming pushback from the federal government. Nuclear power has lagged behind the other renewable energy sectors for years, due to ongoing concerns over safety and costs. However, the new initiative has been agreed to by 11 states in the US and could completely reshape the American energy sector for generations to come.

The Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative has the potential to revive America’s flailing nuclear sector

Nuclear power has a controversial reputation, as the energy resource can be used for both destruction on an unimaginable scale, as well as providing a clean energy resource, if used properly. It has now been reported that 11 US Governors from across the length and breadth of the United States have signed on with the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) to launch the innovative Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative.

The initiative aims to boost America’s embrace of the renewable energy sector through the development of the US nuclear power industry. The proposed plan would boost advanced nuclear power capacity rapidly, ensuring safe, cost-effective nuclear projects that align with global decarbonization goals. The 11 states that have signed on are:

• Co-chairs – New York
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Tennessee
• Wyoming
• Participating partners – Louisiana
• Maryland
• Pennsylvania
• Utah
• Virginia
• West Virginia

“The new Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative is critical to moving new nuclear projects forward across the country. The initiative is among the most important actions taken collectively by states to date to catalyze investment in historic levels of firm, clean electric power development to serve consumers, businesses and the nation as a whole for decades to come.” – David Terry, NASEO President

NASEO is set to provide an “order book” for the member states

Last month, NASEO issued a Request for Information proposal for member states regarding an “order book” that will enable states to assess the status and use cases for different nuclear technologies. As well as providing essential investment information and cooperation models. This approach aims to do away with the former “one-off” approach that has become a vestige of the old norms.

The aim of the initiative is to foster a wide market adoption of the most viable technologies for the nuclear sector across the member states. New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated in her State of the State address that New York State will embrace the initiative.

“New York is proud to co-lead the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative, which demonstrates our commitment to the exploration of innovative technologies to achieve a reliable and affordable electric system for New York families. – NY Governor Kathy Hochul

The potential of the nuclear power sector can not be understated, with the news that several Arab nations are exploring the desalination possibilities that nuclear power has in abundance.

The United States has vast expertise in the nuclear sector, which could benefit the new initiative

The new Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative can take solace in the fact that the US is a global leader in nuclear technology, as evidenced by the fact that Slovakia recently evaluated US nuclear technology for a planned 1.2 GW project. Whether or not the federal government will jump on board the nuclear bandwagon is not clear, but the fact that the President recently instructed the “Department of War” to begin conducting tests of US nuclear weapons points to a softening of the disdain that Trump has shown for the sector. Hopefully, more states will join the already 11-member-strong initiative.