New video: The case for nuclear power
One of many technologies we've strangled
A quick overview:
Nuclear power has long been clouded by fear and controversy, from its association with nuclear weapons to the accidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima. Yet, for decades, it’s quietly provided a reliable source of electricity without producing any carbon emissions. Now, with the rising demand for energy and the urgent need to cut emissions, nuclear is starting to get a second look from experts and governments around the world.
New reactor technologies, like small modular reactors and microreactors, promise to make nuclear energy safer and more affordable. With 22 countries pledging to triple their nuclear capacity by 2050, it could play a major role in achieving global net-zero goals. But there are still hurdles to clear—like reducing costs, removing regulator barriers, and shifting public opinion. The question is whether we can overcome these challenges and see nuclear as a vital part of our clean energy future.
Plenty is going on in nuclear right now. Constellation, an energy company in Pennsylvania, will restore one of its nuclear sites to add 835 MW of carbon-free electricity to the grid. This is part of a deal with Microsoft to match their data center’s consumption with real-time clean electricity.
You likely know this nuclear plant, even if you’re unfamiliar with Constellation’s name. The plant they’re restarting is Three Mile Island. People know that plant for its partial meltdown in 1979. What they don’t know is that there were two reactors. TMI-2 closed after 1979. TMI-1 only closed on September 20, 2019. That’s five years ago, to the day, of Constellation and Microsoft’s nuclear resurrection!
Powering Spaceship Earth aims to inspire you to approach energy questions with optimism. This is a perfect example of why. You should be excited about the big and the small in energy. Everything from new and restarted nuclear plants to the plug-in solar that hangs on a balcony has a place in an energy-abundant future. There aren’t free lunches. Both the big and the small face extensive barriers—that’s why we’re here.
If you’re looking for the nuts and bolts of how to fix nuclear policy, I recommend:
Breakthrough Institute’s wealth of research and advice. One place to start is The Death of Anti-Nuclearism.
- on nuclear Autopsy of a Perfect Policy Failure: The Closure of Indian Point.
Staying tuned for our forthcoming project to unlock nuclear across the nation.