all research & reports

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

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., 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

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

EnergySource

Jun 10, 2019

A call for action on US nuclear leadership: Reflections on the Atlantic Council’s task force report

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr

The Task Force focused on saving the existing nuclear fleet, innovation and development of new advanced reactors, challenges in the global market, and the nuclear fuel cycle and security concerns.

Americas
Energy & Environment

EnergySource

May 23, 2019

What is the state of US nuclear energy leadership?

By Becca Hunziker

Throughout 2018, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center convened a “Task Force on US Nuclear Energy Leadership,” comprised of civilian and military experts in foreign policy, defense, and nuclear energy, with Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) as honorary co-chairs, to address the national security implications of the decline of the US nuclear […]

Americas
Energy & Environment

Report

May 20, 2019

US nuclear energy leadership: Innovation and the strategic global challenge

By Atlantic Council Task Force on US Nuclear Energy Leadership

A flourishing domestic nuclear energy sector is critical to US national security, both in the interconnections between military and civilian uses of nuclear energy, as well as in foreign policy.

Nuclear Energy
United States and Canada

EnergySource

Mar 20, 2019

Roadblock for US nuclear power?

By Melissa S Hersh and Edward D Kee

Five nuclear power vendors are competing for a sizeable sale in Saudi Arabia, with Westinghouse facing off against state-owned enterprises (SOEs) from France, South Korea, Russia, and China. A few decades ago, the US was the world leader in nuclear power technology. However, today the US needs to sell nuclear power plants (NPPs) in the […]

Americas
Energy Markets & Governance

EnergySource

Feb 13, 2019

Nuclear energy’s absence from the State of the Union: A missed opportunity

By Jennifer T. Gordon

Many commentators noted the absence of any reference to climate change, clean energy, or the Green New Deal in President Trump’s State of the Union address on February 5th. In fact, the only mention that Trump made of energy at all was to praise the US for becoming “the number one producer oil and natural […]

Climate Change & Climate Action
Energy & Environment

The Global Energy Center promotes energy security by working alongside government, industry, civil society, and public stakeholders to devise pragmatic solutions to the geopolitical, sustainability, and economic challenges of the changing global energy landscape.