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“We believe strongly that a strong domestic nuclear energy (industry), enabled by our existing fleet and enhanced by game-changing advanced nuclear technologies is critical to our nation’s energy security, our national security, our environmental sustainability…,” Brouillete said.

The U.S. department of energy (DOE) agrees with the IEA that extending the life of existing reactors is perhaps the most competitive way to produce low-carbon electricity, he said. The DOE was working to help extend the licences for the existing fleet out to eighty years, he added.

The United States has nearly 100 nuclear reactors in operation, which produced about 20 per cent of total electrical output in 2018, World Nuclear Association data show.

Most U.S. reactors already have seen their licences extended to 60 years from 40 years.

Less Waste

In France, where state-controlled utility EDF is the world’s largest nuclear operator with a fleet of 58 reactors, nuclear regulator ASN is looking into allowing reactor lifespan extensions but has not made a decision yet.

Brouillete said the U.S. industry was working on several new nuclear technologies and his department strongly supported the development of new technologies, in particular small modular reactors and micro-reactors.

“Looking forward to the next generation of nuclear power, there are nearly 50 innovative US companies that are actively working on new advanced reactor designs and we are excited about the potential that they bring to produce more energy with less waste,” he said.