As the United States seeks to shift away from the fossil fuels that have been the backbone of its economy for over a century, many Americans now favor using nuclear power. Companies are investing in the development of small, modular nuclear reactors, with the belief that they can be constructed more quickly and cost-effectively. However, the industry has consistently faced challenges in building plants within specified timelines and budgets.

Straight Arrow News contributor Peter Zeihan reveals why he no longer sees modular nuclear reactors as the technology that could fix the energy crunch. He’s doubtful that significant progress will occur even within this decade.

Excerpted from Peter’s Nov. 28 “Zeihan on Geopolitics” newsletter:

A while back, I talked about a few technologies I was most hopeful for — small modular nuclear reactors being one of those. Unfortunately, we’ll be drawing a line through it (for now).

As we enter a period of capital scarcity and top-heavy demographics, many companies working on these modular nuclear reactors have been forced to abandon ship. This complication adds another layer of complexity to the growing energy demands of the next decade.

So, if you were hoping to go off the grid with a reactor strapped to the back of your truck in 2030, it might be time to change your plans…