Nuclear Energy

The increasing global demand for low-carbon electricity sources has made nuclear an attractive and reliable energy source. Nuclear power is crucial to reaching international climate goals—especially given its ability to decarbonize electricity systems and “hard-to-abate” industries—and maintaining global security. A robust civil nuclear-export program can strengthen US climate diplomacy and will ensure the highest safety and nonproliferation standards as new countries seek to build nuclear-energy programs. As the United States grapples with geopolitical challenges posed by growing Russian and Chinese nuclear exports, civil nuclear cooperation between the United States and its allies and partners will become even more essential.

Recent analysis

Programs and initiatives

Events

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Issue Brief

Jan 9, 2020

International co-financing of nuclear reactors between the United States and its allies

By Jennifer T. Gordon

As Russia and China seek out third-party countries with demand for nuclear energy, can the United States and its allies determine how to cooperate on co-financing agreements and become greater than the sum of their parts?

Geopolitics & Energy Security Nuclear Energy
US Capitol building

EnergySource

Nov 14, 2019

Reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank is a national security imperative

By Amb. Thomas Graham, Jr. and Admiral Richard W. Mies

The US House of Representatives is voting this week on a long-term reauthorization of the US Export-Import Bank. While a fully functional Ex-Im Bank is important for the competitiveness of many US exporters, it is essential for certain industries of strategic importance, including nuclear energy and space, and US security interests associated with these exports are also linked to the ability of Ex-Im Bank to support them.

Economy & Business Nuclear Energy
Nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier

EnergySource

Oct 21, 2019

What is the value of the US nuclear power complex to US national security?

By Becca Hunziker

Nuclear energy provides critical economic, energy security, defense, foreign policy, scientific, technological, and environmental benefits. In the US, the civilian nuclear energy industry contributes at least $42.4 billion annually to the pursuit of US national security priorities.

Economy & Business Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Oct 16, 2019

Slavin in Al-Monitor: Majority of Iranians now want to quit nuclear deal

By Atlantic Council

Iran Nuclear Energy

Past events

Oct 15, 2019

The civilian-military nexus and the role of innovation in nuclear energy event recap

By Global Energy Center

On October 15, 2019, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center hosted a roundtable discussion, as part of the Nuclear Energy and National Security Coalition (NENSC), to discuss the role of nuclear energy innovation in the civilian-military nexus.

National Security Nuclear Energy
nuclear submarine and military members

Issue Brief

Oct 14, 2019

The value of the US nuclear power complex to US national security

By Dr. Robert F. Ichord, Jr. and Bart Oosterveld

Based on conservative estimates of the value it provides due to human capital, dependability of the energy supply, vibrancy of the supply chain, and contributions to green power—the civilian nuclear energy industry contributes at least $42.4 billion annually to the pursuit of US national security priorities.

Economy & Business National Security
nuclear submarine and military members

Issue Brief

Oct 14, 2019

The value of the US nuclear power complex to US national security

By Dr. Robert F. Ichord, Jr., Bart Oosterveld

Based on conservative estimates of the value it provides due to human capital, dependability of the energy supply, vibrancy of the supply chain, and contributions to green power—the civilian nuclear energy industry contributes at least $42.4 billion annually to the pursuit of US national security priorities.

Economy & Business National Security

In the News

Sep 18, 2019

Slavin in The American Conservative: Iran and the Poisonous Fruits of ‘Maximum Pressure’

By Atlantic Council

Iran Middle East

In the News

Aug 5, 2019

Bell in Utility Dive: Ohio nuclear and coal bailout is a loss for nuclear power and the climate

By Atlantic Council

Nuclear Energy Renewables & Advanced Energy

EnergySource

Jul 30, 2019

Nuclear energy in context: What we’re reading

By Amb. Thomas Graham, Jr. and Admiral Richard Mies

The current discourse around nuclear energy reflects the extent to which the stakes have grown higher, both for environmental impact and US national security.

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Experts

Events