Despite nuclear energy's myriad benefits, many countries-and several US states-maintain bans on the construction of new nuclear power plants. This phenomenon is especially puzzling in places that currently rely on a significant amount of nuclear power.

States like Illinois have recently made inroads in rejecting anti-nuclear policies. European nations are also beginning to question the utility of banning or phasing out the technology as power prices rise and uncertainty about the future ability to meet demand emerges. Switzerland may be the next to come around on nuclear power.

After the Japanese earthquake in 2011, and the subsequent nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi, the Swiss government suspended the approvals process for new and pending nuclear power plant licenses-three pending reactors. The government then developed its Energy Strategy 2050. This plan, which took effect in 2018, included a ban on further nuclear construction while phasing out the country's five nuclear reactors that produced 40 percent of the country's electricity production.

Since the plan took effect in 2018, the first of the five nuclear reactors has shut down. The Muehleberg Nuclear Power Station closed in 2019. The country's remaining four reactors make up about one third of Swiss power generation.

As time has passed, and nuclear power has grown more popular, the Swiss government has signaled their intention to reassess this approach. This desire is aided by the reliability of nuclear power plants as well as their lack of carbon emissions. An amendment to Switzerland's Nuclear Energy Act that would lift the nuclear ban is expected to be submitted to the country's Federal Council by the Federal Department of Energy and communications by year's end.

Energy Minister Albert Rosti made clear that a removal of the ban wouldn't necessarily mean the immediate construction of new nuclear plants but that "…we are responsible for leaving the door open to all possible technologies."

Leaving all possible electricity sources on the table so that companies are able to build what makes the most sense is a far better approach than limiting power choices to technologies preferred by the government.

Hopefully the Swiss nuclear ban is reversed in order to provide the most options for future power provision planning. US states maintaining bans on new nuclear power plants should heed this lesson as well, as both state and federal governments should allow the most freedom possible when it comes to power sources.

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