A major U.S. environmental group, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), has made a historic move by supporting the restart of a nuclear power plant to power a Google data center.
This signals a huge shift, driven by the enormous and growing demand for electricity from the AI industry. For the first time in its 56-year history, the NRDC is backing a specific reactor, highlighting how the energy needs of AI are forcing even long-standing skeptics to reconsider nuclear power.
The core reason for this change is a classic 'rock and a hard place' scenario. First, grid operators are sounding the alarm about soaring electricity demand, with data centers being a primary cause. Second, to meet this demand, Iowa—a state known for its wind power—had to burn 32% more coal in 2025. This dramatically increased its carbon emissions, creating a climate setback that made the case for a reliable, carbon-free baseload power source undeniable.
Several factors made this specific endorsement possible. The NRDC's support became tangible because there was a specific, well-defined project on the table: Google and NextEra's plan to restart the Duane Arnold plant under a long-term PPA. This wasn't an abstract debate anymore. Furthermore, public opinion on nuclear energy has improved to a near three-decade high, and influential climate advocates have started calling for a re-evaluation of nuclear power, creating the political and social space for the NRDC to act.
However, this support is not unconditional. The NRDC has clearly stated that the plant must meet modern, post-Fukushima safety standards. They also emphasized the need for an independent and trustworthy regulator, a pointed comment given recent political moves to influence the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC).
In essence, the explosive energy needs of AI are forcing a pragmatic re-evaluation of energy sources. For the NRDC, the immediate and tangible threat of rising CO2 emissions from fossil fuels has, in this specific case, outweighed its historical skepticism of nuclear power.
- Baseload Power: The minimum level of electricity demand required over a period of 24 hours. It is provided by power plants that can run continuously and reliably, like nuclear or coal plants.
- PPA (Power Purchase Agreement): A long-term contract between an electricity generator and a customer, usually a utility or a large company, to purchase electricity at a pre-agreed price.
- NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission): An independent agency of the U.S. government tasked with protecting public health and safety related to nuclear energy.