nuclear power
Credit: Nuclear Regulatory Commission/Flickr
The Biden administration bets big on nuclear power despite past failures
The Biden administration is determined to revive nuclear energy to meet climate goals, despite the industry's history of cost overruns and delays.
In short:
- Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm emphasized the need to triple nuclear energy output by 2050 to meet climate targets.
- The Vogtle plant in Georgia, despite its extensive delays and cost overruns, is now the largest source of zero-emissions energy in the U.S.
- The administration is also pushing for small modular reactors and reactivating decommissioned plants to boost nuclear energy.
Key quote:
“Whether it happens through small modular reactors, or AP1000s, or maybe another design out there worthy of consideration, we want to see nuclear built.”
— Jennifer Granholm, U.S. Energy Secretary
Why this matters:
With increasing power demands and climate change pressures, the U.S. needs reliable, zero-emissions energy sources. Reviving nuclear power could provide an important boost for achieving sustainable energy independence. Read more: Past deadline and over budget, nuclear energy is struggling.
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Climate change raises risks for sites with radioactive materials
As climate change intensifies, sites housing radioactive materials face increased threats from wildfires and floods.
In short:
- The Pantex Plant in Texas faced near-catastrophic wildfires, highlighting the vulnerability of facilities storing nuclear materials.
- Extreme weather events, fueled by climate change, pose increasing risks to dozens of sites across the U.S., potentially disrupting critical energy and defense operations.
- The Department of Energy now requires existing sites to assess climate risks, but new site permits often overlook future climate projections.
Key quote:
“I think it’s too early to assume that we’ve got all the worst-case scenarios resolved ... (because) what might have been safe 25 years ago probably is no longer safe.”
— Paul Walker, program director, Green Cross International.
Why this matters:
Climate change's impact on sites with radioactive materials can lead to severe health and environmental consequences, heightening the need for proactive planning and infrastructure upgrades to mitigate risks. Read more: Past deadline and over budget, nuclear energy is struggling.
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Nuclear power output expected to break global records in 2025
Experts say world is ‘past peak fossil power’ but warn against uneven development of energy projects.
Photo by Frédéric Paulussen on Unsplash
UK government sets out plans for ‘biggest nuclear power expansion in 70 years’
Ministers hope to build fleet of reactors to meet quarter of electricity demand by 2050 but critics highlight long delays and rising costs.
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Credit: Dean Calma/IAEA Imagebank/Flickr
As nuclear debate nears, French minister sees potential for 14 new reactors
France requires more than the six new nuclear plants currently planned and possibly needs to build more than 14 new plants, its energy minister said, just days before a parliamentary debate begins on the issue.
Photo by Kilian Karger on Unsplash
Long-term wildlife impacts at Chornobyl, Fukushima may yield ‘a new ecology’
The world’s two worst nuclear accidents, in Ukraine and Japan, along with the human exclusion zones around them, are informing scientists about radiation effects, and how ecosystems evolve with less pressure from people.
Photo by Heidi Kaden on Unsplash
'Time to roll up our sleeves': Congress' long to-do list
Congress has just a few weeks to address a host of priorities with implications for energy, environmental and climate issues.
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