Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order to drive a nuclear power push dubbed “Manhattan Project 2” to help the US win the global race for artificial intelligence. The Telegraph has more.
The order is expected to fast track the development of nuclear power stations in the United States, which would then supply the huge data centres required for AI.
The Trump administration is seeking ways to counter the “huge resources” being deployed by China to develop the nascent technology.
Chris Wright, the US Energy Secretary, warned earlier this year that the clamour to build the power sources required to meet the growing need from AI had become “Manhattan Project 2”, in reference to the country’s programme to develop atomic bombs during the Second World War.
He said: “It is critical, just like Manhattan Project 1, that the United States wins this race.
“China has huge resources. They are massively focused on artificial intelligence.
“If we don’t unleash American innovation and American entrepreneurs and American construction and bold moves, we will lose Manhattan Project 2.”
The executive order aims to ease the process to approve new nuclear reactors and will also bolster supply chains.
In a sign of his focus on America’s power needs, Mr Trump declared a national energy emergency on his first day back in the White House in January.
The US was the first country to develop nuclear power and has 94 nuclear reactors, supplying 97 gigawatts of energy, which gives it the largest nuclear capacity in the world.
Technology companies including Microsoft and Google have embraced nuclear power as a way to meet their expanding energy needs as the US Government seeks to catch up with the boom in demand. …
A draft summary of the executive order is… said to direct Government agencies to permit new nuclear facilities. The departments of energy and defence will also be required to identify federal lands and facilities that can be used for nuclear deployment.
In the US nuclear power has bipartisan support, with Democrats in favour of building new reactors because it is virtually free from carbon emissions.
By contrast Republicans are supportive of new nuclear plants as they provide a reliable source of electricity compared to intermittent energy from wind and solar power, which rely on batteries to provide a consistent supply of power.
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