By Cole Spalding, Energy Futures Policy Research Fellow at Gen-Z Emerging Technology Action (ZETA)
As Gen Z continues to step into the workforce, the voting booth, and the policymaking arena, we bring with us a sense of urgency rooted in lived experience: a planet under pressure, an economy reshaped by technology, and a future that demands serious climate solutions. One thing is becoming increasingly clear: we cannot meet our clean energy goals without a serious and sustained commitment to nuclear power.
At ZETA, we represent the front lines of a generation that grew up with constant climate headlines. We’re not just looking at the energy transition through an environmental lens—we’re looking at it through a digital one, too. As our society becomes more energy-hungry with the rise of artificial intelligence, data center energy consumption accounts for 6% of total energy use and is expected to double by 2035. Gen Z knows that reliable, round-the-clock clean power is not optional.
That’s why we’ve spent the last week doing what our generation does best: showing up, asking hard questions, and helping drive a movement into momentum alongside the many leaders who’ve paved the way.
A Historic Week for Nuclear, and Gen Z Was There
Last week marked a turning point for U.S. nuclear policy.
At the Nuclear Energy Policy Forum hosted by the Nuclear Energy Institute, ZETA joined federal officials, industry leaders, and engineers from across the world to discuss the future of nuclear energy. The event was charged with urgency and purpose, from regulatory reform to advanced reactor deployment and workforce shortages, no issue was off the table.
Our CEO, José Ignacio Gaona, spoke on a panel highlighting Gen Z’s place in this moment, not just as future workers or advocates, but as current leaders. “We’re digital natives,” he said. “But digital needs power. We see nuclear not as a legacy system, but as a key to our climate and tech future. Gen Z is ready to lead and to deliver.”
It was a privilege to listen and learn from the seasoned voices guiding the nuclear sector today and to offer our perspective on what’s needed to ensure the industry thrives for generations to come.
The forum led directly into congressional meetings on Capitol Hill, where José joined a delegation of young leaders from the North American Young Generation in Nuclear (NAYGN), NEI and Nuclear Matters. There, we met with offices including those of Representatives Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, and Steny Hoyer, and Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks. Our message: preserving clean energy tax credits—45U, 45Y, and 48E—is critical to ensuring nuclear energy remains competitive and scalable.
Then Came Friday’s Executive Orders
On Friday, the White House announced a historic suite of executive orders, signaling what may be the most ambitious federal commitment to nuclear energy in a generation.
President Trump’s orders aim to accelerate licensing processes, expand domestic fuel production, and restructure the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to better align with the speed of modern energy development. They invoke the Defense Production Act to boost uranium mining and reduce dependence on adversarial imports. They set a national target: quadruple nuclear electricity production within 25 years.
The administration calls for a return to “Gold Standard Science.” That means scientific transparency, peer review reforms, and a cultural shift toward restoring trust in U.S. innovation. (White House announcement)
These announcements didn’t happen in a vacuum. They followed months of public pressure, industry momentum, and grassroots advocacy. And we’re proud to say Gen Z had a seat at the table throughout.
These wins are a milestone, not a finish line.
A New Chapter, If We Follow Through
Friday’s executive orders offer a powerful response to the regulatory and investment barriers that have long stymied nuclear innovation. But executive action alone is not enough. If Congress doesn’t reinforce these policies with long-term legislative backing, we risk repeating a cycle we’ve seen before: short-term gains followed by gridlock and uncertainty.
That’s why ZETA continues to advocate for:
Permanent tax incentives that make nuclear competitive as a clean energy solution
Workforce investments that build career pathways for a new generation of engineers, operators, and regulators
Community-centered engagement to ensure trust and transparency in siting and development
Modernized licensing and permitting—through congressional reforms, not just administrative tweaks
Multi-year funding that avoids the instability of year-by-year appropriations
These policies aren’t just technical fixes, they’re the foundation of a nuclear renaissance that is inclusive, innovative, and built to last.
The Gen Z Case for Nuclear
Our generation understands the complexity of nuclear energy from its promise to its challenges. But we also know that climate goals without nuclear energy are wishful thinking. And in a world increasingly shaped by energy-intensive technologies, from AI to electrified transportation, we need solutions that are both clean and dependable.
We’ve been welcomed into rooms that once felt out of reach, and we’ve met experienced leaders who are eager to see new energy and new ideas take root. At ZETA, we’re not here to replace anyone, we're here to help build on the foundation already laid, to learn, to contribute, and to help make sure this sector is equipped for what’s next.
This last week, we did more than talk about the future. We helped shape it. From the NEI forum to the halls of Congress to today’s executive orders, Gen Z’s fingerprints are on this moment and we’re not slowing down.
The question now is: Will Washington continue to step up and meet the urgency our generation is carrying?
We’re here. We’re ready. And we’re just getting started.
