Canada, Australia, New York Expand Nuclear Power Plans

Nuclear power remains a contentious but increasingly relevant energy source globally. In Australia, nuclear power is currently banned due to historical, environmental, and political concerns, with public opinion and government policy favoring renewables; however, shifting demographics show growing support for nuclear as a complement to intermittent renewable sources. New York State has announced plans to develop zero-emission baseload nuclear power to address reliability issues, with nuclear plants providing a high capacity factor and supporting a projected doubling of power demand by 2045. Canada's nuclear energy sector is well-established, providing a significant portion of electricity, especially in Ontario, and is viewed as essential for clean, reliable power and climate goals. Opposition to nuclear energy in the U.S. is bolstered by well-funded anti-nuclear advocacy groups, with much resistance linked to misinformation and political alignment, particularly on the left. Meanwhile, international developments include ongoing nuclear talks involving Iran, new small modular reactor projects in Sweden, and advanced nuclear plant initiatives in the U.S. supporting data centers and technological growth.