US plans first nuclear plant in 15 years: Why Australia should take notice

America’s first US nuclear power plant in more than a decade, earmarked for New York, is a positive example for Australia, says a leading advocate.

The United States has announced plans to build its first new nuclear power plant in more than a decade after the Trump administration began slashing regulatory red tape in a bid to quadruple the nation’s atomic energy output.

Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul said the plant would be built in New York State and produce enough electricity to power one million homes, fuel the growing manufacturing and advanced tech sectors and reduce emissions by 37 million metric tonnes.

Advocates hope the new facility will spark a new era of nuclear power generation in the US where many ageing reactors have been decommissioned and new projects significantly delayed by cost and construction timelines blowouts.

President Donald Trump holds an executive order regarding the reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in the Oval Office of the White House. Picture: AFP

The US joins its northern neighbour Canada in its continued investment in nuclear power with efforts underway in Ontario to factory produce smaller modular reactors that would be cheaper and faster to build than traditional facilities.

Under a proposal by the federal Coalition, Australia would have built seven nuclear power plants including five large facilities at the site of five current coal-fired power stations in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales.

A further two small modular nuclear reactors like those being designed in Canada were proposed for Western Australia and South Australia.

China, South Korea and Russia have all begun construction of new nuclear facilities in the first half of 2025.

A New York-based nuclear advocate said the move was a positive low-carbon example for other American states and to countries around the world, including Australia where the Labor Government has rejected atomic energy and leaned into renewable energy projects.

Under a proposal by the LNP under Peter Dutton, Australia would have built seven nuclear power plants. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The infrequency of new builds of nuclear power plants often leads to construction delays with very few people possessing the knowledge and experience required.

But Nuclear New York chairman Dietmar Detering said he hoped the proposed new project could be completed far cheaper by using the experience of those involved in building America’s newest reactors that opened in Georgia last year after works began in 2009.

Two new reactors came online at the Plant Vogtle facility over the past two years at a cost of $US30 billion – well in excess of initial estimates.

“I think the ambition will be that we can show it can be done for much less,” Mr Detering said.

He said there was a 30 per cent cost saving between the two reactors, helped by having the experience and supply chain kinks worked out in the first phase.

Two reactors under construction in February at the nuclear-powered Vogtle Electric Generating Plant in Waynesboro, Georgia. Picture: Handout/Reuters

Mr Detering said there was significant demand by many New York communities hoping the plant would be built in their area to drive generational job creation.

“The communities that are familiar with nuclear energy … are welcoming to nuclear,” he said.

“Our belief is, as advocates, that the more you know about nuclear energy, the more you embrace it…”.

The Coalition’s Energy and Emissions Reduction spokesman Dan Tehan noted that the US move had come from a Democratic governor in a state that also backed Kamala Harris in the presidential race.

Speaking to this masthead, Mr Tehan said: “This is another clear example of why we should have a technology-neutral approach to providing secure energy, emissions-free.”

Mr Tehan said Climate Change and Energy Minister “Chris Bowen’s renewables-only ideological approach is costing Australians every single day when it comes to energy security and their power bills.”

In response, Mr Bowen said: “The LNP took a radical nuclear policy to the election a couple of months ago. The Australian people expressed a pretty clear view. If Mr Tehan didn’t get that memo, he needs to explain whether he is sticking to the expensive and slow nuclear option for Australia.

“We have always made clear that while nuclear energy might be an option for other countries, we prefer an Australian solution for Australia’s needs,” Mr Bowen said.

It’s understood the Coalition’s nuclear policy is under review, along with all its pre-election commitments.

Last month Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at helping “rapidly deploy” nuclear technologies in the US, including to help power AI computing infrastructure and national security installations.

He has also committed to slashing lengthy application periods for new and extended licences with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that could significantly speed up the time for approvals and construction of nuclear facilities.

“ … no matter how hard we fight for renewables, solar works when the sun is shining, wind turbines spin when the air is moving,” Governor Hochul said while announcing the new plant.

“We need electricity that’s reliable all day long, regardless of the weather outdoors.

“And that’s what we’re talking about, something that’s fully reliable, emissions free built to scale, especially when the AI data centres and semiconductor fabs and all the homes will need power 24/7.”

Originally published as US plans first nuclear plant in 15 years: Why Australia should take notice