Could the future be nuclear?

In a stunning 180-degree energy policy reversal for the democratic party, on November 12, 2024, a week after the election, the Biden/Harris administration announced it is now welcoming nuclear power with open arms and announced a colossal nuclear power construction program as outlined in the press release below.  Its goal is to build 200 GW (Gigawatts) of nuclear power by 2050 and thereby tripling the current nuclear power capacity. For reference, 1 GW equals 1,000 Megawatts (MW).  The Seabrook power plant is 1,250 MW (1.25 GW) so the Biden Administration hopes the United States will build approximately 170 Seabrook sized nuclear power plants around the nation in the next 25 years.  The nation now has 54 nuclear power plants with 94 individual reactors.

The most recently completed nuclear power plants in the United States are Vogtle Units 3 & 4 (completed in 2023 & 2024 respectively) in Waynesboro, Georgia with a combined cost of $37 billion dollars.  Assuming a new nuclear power plant costs $20 billion dollars, the price for these 170 nuclear power plants will be approximately 170 times $ 20 billion = $3.4 trillion dollars.

Biden-Harris Administration Establishes Bold U.S. Government Targets for Safely and Responsibly Expanding U.S. Nuclear Energy and Announces Framework for Action to Achieve these Targets | OSTP | The White House

As listed below, New England once had eight nuclear power plants, but only three remain operating, i.e., Millstone Units 2 & 3 and Seabrook.  Not to state the obvious, but 2025 will no doubt bring discussions / plans to finish Seabrook Unit II that was canceled in 1984 when it was 25% complete.

Connecticut Yankee, Haddam, CT 560 MW (1968-1996), 

Maine Yankee, Wiscasset, ME  900 MW (1972-1996), 

Millstone Unit 2, Waterford, CT 870 MW (1975- 2035?) 

Millstone Unit 3, Waterford, CT 1,230 MW (1986-2045?)

Pilgrim, Plymouth, MA, 680 MW (1972-2019) 

Seabrook Unit I, Seabrook, NH, 1,250 MW (1990-2050?)

Seabrook Unit II, Seabrook, NH (ceased construction 1984, 25% complete)

Vermont Yankee, Vernon, VT 650 MW (1972-2014), 

Yankee Rowe, Rowe, MA  600 MW (1961-1991)

Neither Jane Fonda nor the Biden / Harris administration could not be reached for comment, but President Biden’s limo was recently seen leaving the White House with a new bumper sticker, ” MORE NUKES, LESS KOOKS”

A Yankee Story: New England’s Forgotten Nuclear Power Plants | by Benne Will | Medium

A Yankee Story: New England’s Forgotten Nuclear Power PlantsBenne WillThe forgotten story of New England’s nuclear plants that