North American leaders and energy executives are deepening cross-border collaboration in a renewed push for nuclear power, positioning the U.S. and Canada as strategic partners in global energy security.
On the Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saskatoon, participants from each countries emphasized the importance of nuclear energy as a clean and reliable solution to growing power demands, particularly amid increasing geopolitical competition.
“Let’s undergo this incredible collaboration, coordination for economic profit and security profit here between Canada and the U.S., and we’ll give you the chance to dominate globally,” said John Gorman, president of Westinghouse Canada.
Gorman noted that while the U.S. stays the present leader in operating nuclear reactors, that position may very well be challenged by the pace of development in countries like China.
Canada’s uranium reserves, particularly in Saskatchewan, were highlighted as key assets within the nuclear supply chain.
“The variety of reactors which can be going to be needed not only here in North America but world wide… All of that manufacturing, those supply chains, the continuing servicing, the fuel, all comes from North America,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.
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Executives also addressed efforts to cut back reliance on foreign sources of enriched uranium.
“We’ve got uranium from here, we’ve got conversion in Ontario… We’re working on enrichment in Wilmington, North Carolina,” said Tim Gitzel, CEO of Cameco.
“The U.S. needs enrichment. Why? Because we gave all of it away to the Russians and the Chinese during the last 25 years. They’re handing us our lunch in the mean time. We’ve got to get it back.”
Despite growing interest, concerns about high costs and long construction timelines remain. Minnesota State Senator Ann Johnson Stewart raised questions on affordability after a U.S. nuclear project far exceeded its original budget.
“I do agree, we’d like to look more towards nuclear energy. Nonetheless, the last nuclear plant that was in-built the U.S. was originally estimated at $14 billion, ended up costing $35 billion, and had a seven-year time overrun,” Stewart said.
Leaders acknowledged that regulatory reform might be key to speeding up deployment without compromising safety or public trust.
“We’re 14 years away without delay… to construct nuclear reactors greenfield,” Moe said.
Despite the challenges, officials on the summit pointed to the broader strategic importance of energy independence.
“You be certain that your energy is secure and also you’re not depending on unallied nations or unfriendly nations… And herein lies the best opportunity that we’ve as Canadians and Americans to actually determine our own future,” said Moe.
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