Axios House: Political support for nuclear energy has "changed dramatically" in last two decades, industry leader says

NEW YORK – Nuclear power has seen an upswing in bipartisan support in recent years, speakers said at Axios House at Climate Week and the UN General Assembly.

Why it matters: The growing interest in nuclear energy coincides with U.S. efforts to meet increased demand for reliable, clean power sources.

• Axios' Amy Harder and Chuck McCutcheon spoke with TerraPower president and CEO Chris Levesque and X-energy CEO J. Clay Sell at the Sept. 24 event, sponsored by Constellation Energy.

What they're saying: "Nuclear energy used to be supported by Republicans basically, [with] really not big fans in the Democratic Party," Levesque said.

• "And now, I think again because of the safety record and the recognition that nuclear is emission-free, I think we have great bipartisan support."

The big picture: Sell attributed the resurgence of nuclear energy to growing support in the policy world.

• "It's the political support, which has changed dramatically in 20 years," Sell said.
• "Twenty years ago, what was driving the so-called nuclear renaissance were high gas prices, then gas prices dropped and nuclear was dead."
• "Today, just the drivers for new nuclear are very different, and instead of a competitive technology driver, it's really now a demand driver."

Content from the sponsored segment:

In a View From the Top conversation, David Dardis, Constellation Energy executive vice president and chief legal and policy officer, highlighted the bipartisan support for nuclear power on Capitol Hill.

• "We fought hard to preserve the nuclear production tax credit, because we believe new nuclear won't happen without existing nuclear," Dardis said.
• "That's the one tax provision for clean energy supported by both Republicans and Democrats. It was passed unanimously in the Inflation Reduction Act by Democrats, and it was passed unanimously by Republicans under the 'big, beautiful bill,' so that's exciting."