The Trump administration’s push to quadruple nuclear energy output over the next quarter-century has reignited a critical debate: what to do with the growing mountain of nuclear waste? Over 105,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel, primarily from power generation, are currently stored in water-filled pools across 39 states. The lack of a dedicated disposal facility is costing taxpayers up to $800 million extra each year, a figure that could skyrocket as nuclear power plants come back online to meet increased electricity demand, particularly from AI centers.
The administration’s executive order, signed in May, aims to construct next-gen small modular reactors and conventional reactors. This aligns with a recent $80 billion deal between the U.S., Cameco, and Brookfield Asset Management to invest in nuclear power plants. However, the sector has seen only two new plants since 1990, highlighting the urgency to ramp up production. Nearly all of the 94 reactors currently in operation were built between 25 and 60 years ago.
The Department of Energy and several private companies are exploring solutions for storing spent fuel, including deep underground repositories. While plans for a geological repository in Las Vegas were scrapped, Finland, Sweden, and France are making progress with their own sites. American startup Deep Isolation Nuclear is pioneering an underground burial concept combined with oil and gas fracking techniques. CEO Rod Baltzer announced plans for a full-scale demonstration project in Cameron, Texas, expected to be operational by early 2027.
Other companies, such as Curio and Shine Technologies, are focusing on recycling nuclear waste to extract uranium. These initiatives aim to mitigate environmental risks and ensure safe disposal. Despite safety concerns, nuclear energy remains a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, producing no carbon emissions and operating 24/7.
Bill Gates, a vocal advocate for nuclear energy, downplayed the waste issue. “The amount of waste involved… that’s not a reason not to do nuclear. Say the U.S. was completely nuclear-powered — it’s a few rooms worth of total waste. So it’s not a gigantic thing,” he told CNBC. This perspective underscores the need for innovative solutions to manage nuclear waste effectively, ensuring the sector’s growth aligns with environmental sustainability.
The sector’s development hinges on addressing these challenges head-on. As nuclear power gains traction, the focus must remain on balancing increased energy production with responsible waste management. The coming years will be pivotal in shaping the future of nuclear energy, with the potential to set a global precedent for clean, reliable power generation.