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Nuclear power in the U.S. is gaining support from both parties

A growing number of politicians on both sides of the iasle are taking a fresh look at nuclear power in the U.S.

California's Diablo Canyon Nuclear power plant is the last one in the state and is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2025. Credit - Tracey Adams, CC SA 2.0.
California's Diablo Canyon Nuclear power plant is the last one in the state and is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2025. Credit - Tracey Adams, CC SA 2.0.

Nuclear power is the largest source of zero-emissions power in the U.S., and this factor alone makes it the best source to handle the climate crisis.

It has been a challenge meeting clean energy goals as the demand for electricity grows. A growing number of political leaders in both parties are now taking a fresh look at nuclear power – including extending the life of existing reactors and building new ones.

The New York Times cites the Diable Canyon power plant in California, the state’s sole remaining nuclear power plant – that is scheduled to be shut down in 2025. The thing is this: The search for clean energy has given nuclear power a shot in the arm, even winning over skeptics.

Not only is nuclear power the cleanest source of energy, but it is now gaining bipartisan support that is adding billions in funding for existing and new projects.

Nuclear currently contributes nearly one-fifth of all electricity generated in the U.S., according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, and is the biggest single source of power that does not directly create carbon emissions.

The White House has come to the realization that we need our nuclear power plants if we want to reach our climate goals. Image- Avda, (Creative Commons 3.0)

Critics of nuclear power have a voice, too

However, nuclear does have its critics and they need to be heard, too. Number one – the technology has not changed to any great degree over the years, and aging facilities are in need of costly improvements.

Secondly, and this is a big one – humankind has still not figured out how to safely dispose of nuclear waste that has a half-life of thousands of years. And then there are the steep cost overruns for new projects that are already years late and may never be completed.

Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety with the Union of Concerned Scientists, said nuclear’s “unique liabilities and risks, both with regards to safety and security” also must be a part of any discussion over its usefulness. He points to the 2011 meltdown at a plant in Fukushima, Japan, and Russia’s shelling of Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, earlier this year as examples of what can go wrong. 

A United Nations report published last year concluded that the Fukushima nuclear disaster had not harmed the health of local residents
A United Nations report published last year concluded that the Fukushima nuclear disaster had not harmed the health of local residents – Copyright AFP/File Philip FONG

Tackling the Climate Crisis is imperative

 Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, speaking in Stockholm in June, warned the world, reports CNBC News. “We need to change course — now — and end our senseless and suicidal war against nature,” he said.

“There is one thing that threatens all our progress. The climate crisis. Unless we act now, we will not have a livable planet,” Guterres said. “Scientists recently reported that there is a 50-50 chance that we could temporarily breach the Paris Agreement limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius in the next five years.” 

President Joe Biden wants to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from the power industry by 2035, and he said a Supreme Court ruling last week limiting federal regulatory authority would not halt such efforts.

In an effort to keep more power plants open, the federal government began subsidizing older nuclear plants, opening up a $6 billion fund authorized in 2021’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act this year, according to NPR.org.

That law also set aside an additional $2.477 billion for research and development of advanced nuclear reactor technology.

“Have no doubt, President Biden is serious about doing everything possible to get the U.S. powered by clean energy,” Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Kathryn Huff said, adding, “Nuclear energy is really essential to this.”

To proponents of nuclear energy, we have reached a pivotal moment. Coupled with solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, they say, nuclear power would make 100 percent clean energy possible.

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Written By

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our dear friend Karen Graham, who served as Editor-at-Large at Digital Journal. She was 78 years old. Karen's view of what is happening in our world was colored by her love of history and how the past influences events taking place today. Her belief in humankind's part in the care of the planet and our environment has led her to focus on the need for action in dealing with climate change. It was said by Geoffrey C. Ward, "Journalism is merely history's first draft." Everyone who writes about what is happening today is indeed, writing a small part of our history.

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