Laura Holgate on the Promise and Perils of Nuclear Innovation

Laura Holgate on the Promise and Perils of Nuclear Innovation

The Trump administration has prioritized nuclear energy expansion, aiming to increase US nuclear capacity fourfold by 2050. This nuclear energy resurgence in the US is a rare issue with bipartisan support, and tech companies have poured billions of dollars into sustaining nuclear power plants and building new reactors to supply AI data centers.

But accelerating nuclear power could mean changing environmental and safety reviews. And small modular reactors and other innovations in nuclear energy are likely years from commercial readiness.

So is there a way to reinvigorate nuclear energy in the US that's safe and fast? What would that mean for the power sector and the communities that support plants today, and future sites? Are there any signs that new technologies could address the perennial questions around nuclear safety? And what does all of this mean for national security and energy policy?

Today on the show, Bill Loveless speaks with Laura S. H. Holgate, Ambassador (ret.) about the state of nuclear energy innovation, safety, and governance.

Laura is the president of LSHH International Advisors and a distinguished visiting fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy. She twice served as ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency. She has held multiple positions in and out of government, including vice president at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, special assistant to the president at the White House National Security Council, and a senior official at the departments of Energy and Defense.

Credits: Hosted by Jason Bordoff and Bill Loveless. Produced by Mary Catherine O'Connor, Caroline Pitman, and Kyu Lee. Engineering by Gregory Vilfranc.

Avsnitt(100)

Editor's Pick: How Economic Warfare Impacts Energy

Editor's Pick: How Economic Warfare Impacts Energy

Six months in, President Trump's trade war has entered a new phase. Just this weekend, the European Union agreed to a trade deal that includes a promise to buy $750 billion worth of American energy pr...

29 Juli 20251h 2min

A Critical Moment for Latin America's Mineral Supply Chain

A Critical Moment for Latin America's Mineral Supply Chain

Countries around the world, including the US, are rushing to secure critical mineral supply chains. As these essential resources, which are key to building clean energy infrastructure, become a major ...

22 Juli 20251h 4min

Climate Shocks Are Redefining Energy Security

Climate Shocks Are Redefining Energy Security

Many parts of the US have experienced brutal, deadly heat in recent weeks—and there's plenty of summer left. Intense rainfall, made more likely by warming, dropped more than 15 inches of rain in centr...

15 Juli 202542min

Is AI Friend or Foe to the Clean Energy Transition?

Is AI Friend or Foe to the Clean Energy Transition?

Artificial intelligence is transforming our world — and the energy sector. Earlier this year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a comprehensive report examining both AI's projected energy...

8 Juli 202553min

Peaks and Valleys in the Energy Transition

Peaks and Valleys in the Energy Transition

The global energy landscape is shifting right now. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, debates about peak oil demand, and waning support for climate action in some parts of the world are challen...

1 Juli 202559min

Navigating Israel-Iran Ceasefire Uncertainties

Navigating Israel-Iran Ceasefire Uncertainties

Just two days after President Trump deployed America's military to attack Iranian nuclear development sites, a shaky ceasefire between Israel and Iran brokered by President Trump emerged. So far, this...

25 Juni 202535min

California's Clean Air Conundrum

California's Clean Air Conundrum

California has long led the nation in pioneering clean air regulations, from grappling with smog to setting ambitious zero-emission vehicle mandates. The Golden State's unique authority under the Clea...

24 Juni 202549min

Growing Israel-Iran Conflict and Its Impact on Energy Markets

Growing Israel-Iran Conflict and Its Impact on Energy Markets

In the growing conflict between Israel and Iran, many questions now loom, including the extent of US involvement, the potential for regime change, and the status of Iran's nuclear program. All this un...

19 Juni 202536min

Populärt inom Business & ekonomi

framgangspodden
badfluence
varvet
rss-jossan-nina
svd-tech-brief
rss-svart-marknad
rss-borsens-finest
uppgang-och-fall
avanzapodden
bathina-en-podcast
lastbilspodden
rss-dagen-med-di
fill-or-kill
24fragor
rss-inga-dumma-fragor-om-pengar
rss-kort-lang-analyspodden-fran-di
borsmorgon
tabberaset
rikatillsammans-om-privatekonomi-rikedom-i-livet
montrosepodden