In this episode of The Daily, host Brad Plumer examines the challenges and potential solutions for reviving the nuclear power industry in the United States. Plumer explores nuclear energy's initial promise, its decline after the Three Mile Island incident, and the current roadblocks preventing the construction of new nuclear plants, such as high costs and lengthy regulatory processes.
The episode also delves into efforts by companies like TerraPower to develop safer and more affordable nuclear reactor designs. Plumer discusses the role nuclear power could play in combating climate change, highlighting its ability to provide steady, emissions-free electricity. The conversation covers recent legislative pushes for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to streamline approvals and account for nuclear energy's climate benefits when evaluating new technologies.
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Plumer recounts the soaring optimism about nuclear power's potential when it emerged in the mid-20th century. It was heralded as a clean, limitless, and inexpensive energy source expected to solve many energy problems.
After the Three Mile Island incident in 1979, public fear led to a broad range of stricter safety regulations, Plumer explains. The new requirements caused construction delays and soaring costs, deterring utilities from taking on the financial risks of building new plants.
"Basically, utilities couldn't afford to take the financial risk of building a new plant anymore. They didn't know how long it would take, they didn't know how much it would cost, and they were scared off."
New plants have substantial costs like TerraPower's $4 billion advanced reactor, which won't be completed until at least 2030, if not later.
TerraPower's design still needs full Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approval, which could take a minimum of two years.
Some argue the NRC's stringent safety emphasis could render new nuclear tech too costly to be economically viable, hampering U.S. competitiveness in exporting nuclear technology.
TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, aims to revolutionize nuclear power with a liquid sodium reactor design meant to be simpler and less expensive than traditional plants.
The U.S. currently has only TerraPower's project underway, while nations like China and Russia build advanced nuclear reactors for export.
Congress urges the NRC to approve new reactor designs faster to help the struggling U.S. nuclear industry catch up internationally.
More experts recognize that nuclear's ability to provide constant, 24/7 electricity could complement intermittent renewables in crucial ways to reduce emissions and combat climate change.
Recent legislation instructs the NRC to consider the societal benefits of new nuclear tech—not just safety risks—when reviewing designs, potentially making advanced nuclear more economically viable for clean energy.
1-Page Summary
Nuclear power was once seen as a critical component of the United States' energy future, but has since faced a severe decline due to safety concerns and financial risks.
In the emergence of nuclear power in the mid-20th century, Plumer recounts the soaring optimism about its potential. Originally, nuclear power was heralded as a limitless and inexpensive energy source, one that was clean and would not contribute to air pollution. Enthusiasm was high, as officials believed that nuclear power, which even had the potential to power electric cars, would solve many of the world’s energy problems. The prevailing prediction at the time suggested that all future power plants would be fueled by nuclear energy.
The partial meltdown of a reactor at the Three Mile Island plant in Pennsylvania in 1979 was a particularly catalytic event. Although there were no deaths or serious health effects from the release of radioactive gases, the incident captured the nation's attention and led to widespread public fear. Following Three Mile Island, construction of numerous reactors was suspended as safety regulations were re-evaluated. The resulting implementation of a broad range of new and stricter regulations affected various aspects of the nuclear industry, requiring extensive staff training and upgrades to critical systems.
"After Three Mile Island, there was, you know, legitimately a concern about safety, and the regulations just piled on, and that made building new plants prohibitively expensive," Plumer explains. The impac ...
The history and decline of nuclear power in the US
The nuclear industry faces several substantial challenges that hinder its growth and revival. These include financial burdens, a slow regulatory system, and concerns over whether an emphasis on stringent safety measures may limit technological advances.
Building a new nuclear power plant involves substantial investment and time, which continues to be a significant barrier to the nuclear industry's resurgence. For instance, TerraPower’s advanced nuclear plant is projected to cost approximately $4 billion. This first-of-its-kind plant is expected to take until at least 2030 to complete, with some insiders believing even this timeline may be overly optimistic.
To complicate matters further, TerraPower’s plant has yet to secure full approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which is crucial before construction can begin on the reactor. The approval process for their technology is anticipated to take a minimum of two years, and potentially longer, illustrating the procedural slowdowns faced by new projects.
Another concern is the stringent focus on safe ...
The current challenges facing the nuclear industry, including costs and regulations
Interest in reviving nuclear power is growing, with companies like TerraPower, backed by Bill Gates, leading the charge to make nuclear technology more affordable and safer.
Bill Gates's investment in TerraPower and the innovative design of its Wyoming plant are pivotal factors in the potential resurgence of nuclear power.
TerraPower, founded by Bill Gates in 2008, aims to revolutionize nuclear power. TerraPower's design uses liquid sodium, which operates at lower pressures than water, potentially eliminating the need for heavy and expensive components like thick containment shields. This design is expected to make the plant simpler and cheaper. However, TerraPower faces the challenge of convincing regulators that their plant doesn't need the same costly safety equipment that other reactors require. Their reactor should be inherently safer and may not need as many expensive components and safety features.
Despite the significant technical and regulatory hurdles facing the first plant, which has an estimated cost of $4 billion, there is optimism. The goal is to eventually provide nuclear power at around half the cost of traditional plants. Though generating less energy than traditional large plants, the vision is that multiple units could be built to scale proficiency and contribute to clean energy.
The U.S. has fallen behind nations such as Russia and China, who are not only building nuclear reactors but also developing advanced models for export. The U.S. currently has only one advanced reactor being built—TerraPower's project in Wyoming.
The efforts to revive nuclear power through innovative reactor designs, such as TerraPower's project
In the quest to combat climate change, nuclear power is garnering renewed attention as a way to supply steady, clean energy. With recognition from experts and policymakers alike, nuclear power's role in the clean energy landscape is being reframed amidst the growing climate crisis.
Expert opinion is coalescing around the idea that nuclear power, which can provide constant, 24/7 electricity, may be essential in the fight against climate change. This perspective takes into account the intermittent nature of renewable sources like solar and wind. Individuals like Bill Gates champion the importance of technology developed by companies such as TerraPower, viewing it as critical to meeting the nation's energy needs.
Plumer elaborates on the unique value of nuclear power, emphasizing its ability to supply a continuous stream of energy, which renewable sources cannot guarantee.
The increasing severity of climate-induced events such as heat waves, storms, and wildfires is compelling a reexamination of the risks and benefits associated with nuclear power. This urgency fosters a strategic rethinking that diverges from the cautious views prevailing in the late 20th century.
Recent legislative initiatives have put pressure on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to ...
The potential role of nuclear power in addressing climate change and the urgency of finding clean energy solutions
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