In collaboration with the Foundation for Nuclear Studies (FNS), GABI hosted a Capitol Hill briefing on global nuclear power markets on January 24, 2018.
Despite growing support for advanced nuclear development in the U.S., global nuclear power is presently poised to be dominated by Russia and China—both in conventional LWR new build and advanced nuclear R&D. Both of these players offer full state-support to their nuclear industries, creating a tilted playing field in which U.S. nuclear firms are ill-equipped to compete. Ultimately, as Russia and China become dominant in international civil nuclear markets, they will largely determine nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation norms and reduce U.S. influence in these areas. If this set of circumstances results in safety and/or security incidents, then it may pose irreparable harm to nuclear power worldwide and thereby negatively affect global climate change efforts. For the U.S., a number of measures can be taken to address these issues, including but not limited to: clarifying a strategic vision for and appropriately supporting the domestic nuclear industry, incorporating security and safeguards considerations early in the development phase of U.S. advanced reactors, implementing a definitive solution for commercial spent nuclear fuel, and fully leveraging “break the mold” partnerships, including collaboration with traditional civil nuclear allies such as Korea.
