The U. S. nuclear industry, long in decline, is attempting a revival at sites associated with its biggest failures: Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania and the Hanford Site in Washington state. The industry argues that nuclear energy is crucial for meeting the growing electricity demands of data centers driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). However, this focus overlooks the persistent challenges posed by radioactive nuclear waste, which cannot be magically resolved by technology. In September, Constellation Energy aimed to restart a reactor at Three Mile Island, largely influenced by Microsoft’s need for substantial power for its expanding data centers. Following that, in November, Amazon announced a $334 million investment in small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) at Hanford, the site of the first plutonium production facility. Additionally, both Google and Meta are exploring nuclear energy, with Google planning to purchase 500 megawatts from Kairos Power’s new SMR in Tennessee, while Meta is soliciting bids for nuclear plants for its facilities. Tech giants recognize that the upcoming microprocessors for AI require vast amounts of electricity. For instance, a single Nvidia Blackwell chip can consume up to two kilowatts, which is more than a typical household requires. Data centers, especially hyperscale ones, demand over 100 megawatts, putting pressure on power supplies as their growth could lead to increased demand of 74 to 132 gigawatts within the next five years. The challenge of meeting this energy demand is severe, given the already strained electric utilities, which need to supply power for electric vehicles and other burgeoning needs. The Department of Energy warns that fulfilling this demand might necessitate reviving or constructing at least 40 Three Mile Island reactors within five years, a feat that appears impossible. Although companies like Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft previously committed to not increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, they now advocate for nuclear energy to address the mounting challenges of their data centers’ power usage. This shift is problematic.

While nuclear energy is carbon-emission-free, it is not a clean or renewable source. The entire uranium lifecycle involves risks of radioactive contamination, which is evident in regions like South Texas where uranium mining raises groundwater contamination concerns. Since 1989, the Department of Energy has spent vast sums on cleaning up the original nuclear complex, like the Oak Ridge facility. Yet, it has struggled to fully mitigate radioactive waste at the Hanford site. The pressing issue of spent nuclear fuel remains unresolved, with over 90, 000 tons stored across 77 sites, and this number grows yearly. Proponents of small modular reactors, including Bill Gates, argue for their potential, but experts warn they may worsen waste management issues. Some new reactors could produce more complex waste that is more difficult and expensive to handle. Additionally, despite initial regulatory approval, projects like NuScale have already collapsed under cost overruns. Big tech companies should reassess their strategies regarding data center expansions. Is this rapid growth necessary, or is it a reaction to fierce competition and recent semiconductor advancements?Moreover, they should revisit renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal. While these have their variability challenges, advancements in energy storage and the efficiency gains shown by AI programs like China’s DeepSeek suggest that a cleaner, renewable energy future is possible. Given the ongoing issues surrounding nuclear energy, particularly waste management, it’s critical to consider these renewable alternatives.