The economic fundamentals of nuclear energy raise serious questions about its viability without substantial government support. Looking at current market dynamics, there's a stark reality check in the numbers: zero new nuclear power plants are under active construction in the United States today. This absence speaks volumes about the actual economics of the sector. The gap between nuclear's promised renaissance and ground-level reality suggests that large-scale capital deployment in this space relies almost entirely on government funding rather than organic market demand. When private investment stays away, it typically signals something important about risk-adjusted returns and competitive positioning against alternative energy solutions.