Nuclear power is a strategic necessity for the United States to meet the energy demands of the future while insulating themselves from the geopolitical dangers of the present.
In an increasingly unstable world, the case for nuclear energy grows stronger with each geopolitical flashpoint. One of the most strategically sensitive regions on the planet—the Strait of Hormuz—illustrates exactly why continued reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation exposes global economies to unacceptable risks.
Roughly twenty percent of the world’s daily oil supply—over twenty million barrels—passes through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, a choke point flanked by Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south. The strait is just twenty-one miles wide at its narrowest, with shipping lanes only two nautical miles wide in either direction, separated by a thin buffer zone. Any disruption—be it due to political tensions, military conflict, or sabotage—could send global oil prices skyrocketing and lead to widespread economic and energy insecurity.
This fragile reliance underscores a critical reality: we cannot afford to continue building our power systems on top of supply chains that hinge on unstable regions and regimes. Electricity generation should not be dependent on maritime routes vulnerable to blockade, piracy, or war. Yet fossil fuels still account for over sixty percent of global electricity production in 2024, much of it from oil, gas, and coal that must be transported across increasingly contested waters.
Nuclear Energy: A Secure, Reliable, Domestic Solution
Unlike oil and gas, nuclear power offers a domestically sourced, secure, and long-term energy solution. Nuclear plants can operate for eighteen to twenty-four months on a single fuel load, and the uranium used in nuclear fuel is highly energy-dense—one piece of uranium that is roughly the size of a fingertip is the energy equivalent to a ton of coal or 149 gallons of oil.
Importantly, uranium is not limited to conflict zones. In fact, three of the most stable, democratic, and resource-rich countries in the world—the United States, Canada, and Australia—hold some of the largest known uranium reserves and production capabilities.
- The United States has over 200 million pounds of known uranium resources, and domestic production is restarting as policy and market signals shift toward energy security.
- Canada’s Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan is home to the highest-grade uranium deposits on Earth, and Canadian uranium is already a key supplier for global markets.
- Australia has the largest known uranium reserves in the world and consistently ranks as one of the top three exporters globally.
These nations not only have abundant reserves, but they also have strong regulatory frameworks, nonproliferation safeguards, and transparent markets—none of which can be said for many oil-producing states.
Strategic Energy Independence
Transitioning electricity production to nuclear power reduces a nation’s exposure to price volatility and supply disruptions from fossil fuels. Unlike oil and gas, nuclear fuel can be stockpiled safely and economically—a year’s worth of uranium fuel can be stored on-site, eliminating reliance on just-in-time logistics vulnerable to international crises.
The strategic case becomes even more compelling when we consider the growing electricity demands of data centers, electrified transportation, and industrial decarbonization. These new demands require clean, firm, and scalable power, which intermittent renewables like wind and solar cannot always provide. Nuclear energy complements renewables by offering baseload reliability without carbon emissions, helping decarbonize the grid without trading one form of dependency for another.
National Security and Climate Resilience
Beyond energy independence, nuclear power supports national security in a broader sense. It provides resilient infrastructure during extreme weather events, cyber threats, and natural disasters. Nuclear plants have a capacity factor over ninety percent, far higher than solar or wind, and operate regardless of sunlight or wind conditions.
From a climate perspective, nuclear power is one of the few proven solutions capable of delivering large-scale decarbonization quickly and reliably. It avoids the emissions of fossil fuels without the land use or material intensity challenges associated with scaling renewables to 100 percent of the grid.
A Choice Between Vulnerability and Vision
The Strait of Hormuz is a vivid reminder that our fossil fuel dependency ties our economic future to unpredictable and often hostile geopolitical dynamics. Rather than investing billions in further entrenching this vulnerability—whether through expanded pipelines, LNG terminals, or oil tanker fleets—we should be investing in energy systems that are local, low-emission, and secure.
Nuclear energy is not just an engineering solution; it is a strategic imperative. Its fuel is abundant in democratic countries. The technology is mature and improving. And the global need for resilient, clean electricity has never been more urgent.
To meet the energy demands of the future while insulating ourselves from the geopolitical dangers of the present, we must build more nuclear power. Anything less is a dangerous gamble with our economic security, national sovereignty, and environmental future.
About the Author: Todd Royal
Todd Royal works on global value chain analysis, energy-focused economic development research, and qualitative specialization within the nuclear, renewables, and workforce development sectors. He currently serves as the Program Manager for Research Development and is the host and moderator of the Southeast Nuclear Council’s monthly Nuclear Perspectives webinar series for E4 Carolinas, an energy advocacy firm based in Charlotte, NC. Todd has co-authored three books on energy and has been published globally on energy, geopolitics, foreign policy, national security, and California politics. Todd received his M.P.P. from the School of Public of Policy at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA and a B.S. in Economics from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. He lives in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX area with his wife and two children.
Image: Shutterstock/AustralianCamera
