A Nuclear Power Parable
Once upon a time in Michigan, there was an aged nuclear power plant called Palisades. Since it started operation in 1971 until it was permanently closed in 2022, it ran about 73% of the time, about three days out of every four. But the old nuclear plant could not financially compete against renewables, and after its electric subsidy from Michigan expired in 2022, Palisades was closed and sold for scrap metal.
Fukushima Recovery Plagued with Setbacks
Japan is one of the most earthquake-prone areas in the world, and the regular quakes raise traumatic memories of the March 11, 2011, record-breaker that left 19,000 dead and smashed the six-reactor Fukushima-Daiichi site.
Renuclearization or Denuclearization?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, “Denuclearize is a transitive verb meaning: to remove nuclear arms from [or] prohibit the use of nuclear arms in. We don’t know who made the word a part of Mr. Trump’s vocabulary, but we’re glad it popped out of his mouth in his speech to the Davosians at the recent WEF 25 meeting…
Why New Large and Small Nuclear Reactors are Not Green
Despite their considerable allure in the eyes of many, and despite being put forth as the cure to the energy crisis, nuclear reactors are not green.
Air pollution, global warming, and energy security are three of the biggest problems facing the world. Many have suggested that new nuclear reactors can help solve these problems. However, due to the long time from planning to operation alone, new reactors are useless for solving any of these problems. This is just one of seven issues with nuclear electricity that illustrate why it can’t be classified as “green.” Developing more clean, renewable energy is a viable solution.
Nuclear reactors stoke the climate they claim to cool
European program director, Pawel Czyzak, said: “Heatwaves will not go away—they will only get more severe in the future…Luckily, there is no lack of sunshine during heatwaves. The biggest opportunity is to store solar electricity…”
DOGE told regulator to ‘rubber stamp’ nuclear
A DOGE representative told the chair and top staff of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission that the agency will be expected to give “rubber stamp” approval to new reactors tested by the departments of Energy or Defense, according to three people with knowledge of a May meeting where the message was delivered.
Small nuclear reactors are no fix for California’s energy needs
On Monday, the Natural Resources Committee of the California Assembly will consider a bill to repeal a longstanding moratorium on nuclear plants in the state, which was meant to be in place until there is a sustainable plan for what to do with radioactive waste. Defeated multiple times in the past, this bill would carve out an exception for small modular reactors, or SMRs, the current pipe dream of nuclear advocates.
Republicans and Democrats Finally Agree on Nuclear. It’s the Industry That’s the Problem.
Amid a broader global flirtation with the technology, Democrats across the country, driven by demand projections as well as climate concerns, are now joining Republicans in pushing for a nuclear resurgence — and there hasn’t been a partisan backlash.