Prospects of Advanced Nuclear Technology Deployment in the United States

This presentation, delivered by C3 Solutions President Nick Loris at the APERC Annual Conference 2026, examines the outlook for advanced nuclear technology deployment in the United States. It makes the case that nuclear power is positioned to play a central role in meeting America’s rising electricity needs, especially as demand grows from AI data centers, electrification, reshoring, and broader economic expansion. With bipartisan support in Congress, strong public backing, and major private-sector commitments from companies such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and Meta, the presentation highlights how nuclear energy can provide reliable, firm, 24/7 clean power while strengthening American energy security.

The presentation also outlines the policy reforms and market conditions needed to accelerate deployment, including modernized NRC licensing, streamlined permitting, expanded fuel supply chains, improved spent fuel management, and greater use of existing energy infrastructure and federal lands. Looking beyond the domestic market, it argues that U.S. nuclear leadership is also a matter of global competitiveness, as Russia and China expand their influence through reactor exports and fuel supply relationships. For policymakers, the central takeaway is clear: advanced nuclear can help meet America’s energy, economic, environmental, and security goals, but only if the United States removes regulatory barriers, strengthens supply chains, and creates a durable pathway for innovation and deployment.