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Nuclear power is gaining additional support and investment, both within the U.S. and around the world, according to The Washington Times.

In the U.S.: Included in the recent reconciliation legislation were nuclear production tax credits for existing facilities and incentives to build smaller, safer and more affordable reactors.

• Last year’s bipartisan infrastructure deal allocated $6 billion to help the U.S.’s 54 aging nuclear facilities.

The bigger picture: Nuclear accounts for approximately 20% of U.S. annual electricity production and about half the country’s carbon-free electricity.

Even in California: “California and its Democratic leaders have reversed course and approved legislation to extend the life of its lone nuclear plant. They feared the scheduled closure of the Diablo Canyon facility could result in power shortages for years.”

Around the world: South Korea recently reversed its decision to phase out nuclear plants, and the United Kingdom “wants to make nuclear power a pillar of its energy strategy.”

• Last month, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida ordered his government to start constructing smaller, safer reactors to help the country meet its 2050 carbon-neutral goal and provide for energy needs.

The last word: “The most important aspect of pursuing a clean-energy agenda is to embrace an all-of-the-above approach, including nuclear energy,” said NAM Director of Energy and Resources Policy Chris Morris. “We are encouraged by lawmakers’ acknowledgment of this through recent legislation.”

• “Nuclear energy must play a prominent role in the next-generation clean-energy economy, but for this to work, Congress must continue to work with the private sector and regulatory bodies to ensure that clean-nuclear projects do not encounter impassible hurdles.”