The Power & Possibilities of Nuclear Energy
"We've been trained from the very beginning to fear nuclear power. The very thing that we fear is what may save us." ~Oliver Stone
EPISODE 93: The Power & Possibilities of Nuclear Energy
In July 2021, CNN Technical Director, Charlie Chester, in a conversation with an undercover journalist, acknowledged, "We're going to start focusing mainly on climate, like global warming...that's going to be our (CNN's) next focus."
If the "climate crisis" is going to be in the headlines, then we feel we all need to know more about it--to separate verifiable and scientific facts from fiction and propaganda, to search beyond the headlines to know the truth. So to that end, we wondered, "What do you know about nuclear energy?" Oliver Stone just announced he has a new documentary, Nuclear Now, coming to theaters April 28th, we wanted to do our own investigation into the power and possibilities, the risks and the benefits, of nuclear energy. So we invited three experts--two are nuclear engineers with over 40 years of experience and another is the research director for a preeminent energy association in the United States--to discuss the power and possibilities of nuclear energy, the benefits, the risks and costs, and whether or not this is a clean source of energy that reduces the carbon footprint on the environment. Whether you fully believe that mankind is responsible for global warming or whether you simply believe mankind should be a good steward of the earth, this is a must-listen conversation to help you understand the nuclear option and why perhaps, as Oliver Stone says in his trailer, "We’ve been trained from the very beginning to fear nuclear power. The very thing that we fear is what may save us.”
Watch or listen to episode here
Steve Nesbit kicked off the conversation with an overview of nuclear energy and how it can be a viable solution for current energy concerns
Bio: Steve has spent more than 40 years in the nuclear power industry, first with a major nuclear utility and then with his own consulting company. He is the immediate Past President of the American Nuclear Society, the association for nuclear professionals in the U.S. and around the world.
Steve Rea discussed reliability, the cost, the environmental footprint/waste, etc.
Bio: Steve Rea has been working and advocating for the North Carolina Nuclear Power Industry over 46 years. He has been recognized by the Nuclear Power Industry, his Alma Mater N C State and the great State of North Carolina for his advocacy work.
Dr. Lukas Brun discussed how nuclear energy is good for communities in terms or jobs, economic boosts, etc.
Bio: Dr. Brun is the research director at E4 Carolinas, the preeminent energy membership association in the Carolinas, with over 150 companies, governments, non-profits, and universities representing every aspect of the energy economy in its membership base.
“The bottom line is the amount of land necessary for a solar farm to create the same output as Harris Nuclear Plant( HNP ) is about 40-50 times the land of HNP.”
LINKS AND RESOURCES
Here are some great links they shared that you may find very useful and informative, and/or want to share. The first group is environmental advocacy organizations that support nuclear power. The second are American Nuclear Society position statements, which generally have additional sources linked to them.
Environmental Groups on Nuclear Power
Breakthrough Institute on nuclear power plants (various topics): https://thebreakthrough.org/energy/nuclear-power-plants
Clean Air Task Force on nuclear energy’s role in the clean energy future: https://www.catf.us/2023/01/nuclear-energys-role-in-global-decarbonization-efforts/
American Nuclear Society
Position Statement on Advanced Reactors: https://cdn.ans.org/policy/statements/docs/ps35.pdf?_ga=2.184322464.768578112.1680017098-2127977751.1680017098
Position Statement on Small Modular Reactors: https://cdn.ans.org/policy/statements/docs/ps25.pdf?_ga=2.154820926.768578112.1680017098-2127977751.1680017098
Position Statement on Nuclear Technology’s Critical Role in the World’s Future Energy Supply: https://cdn.ans.org/policy/statements/docs/ps43.pdf?_ga=2.191021484.768578112.1680017098-2127977751.1680017098
Position Statement on Safety of Nuclear Power: https://cdn.ans.org/policy/statements/docs/ps51.pdf?_ga=2.242535684.768578112.1680017098-2127977751.1680017098
Position Statement on Interim Storage of Used or Spent Nuclear Fuel: https://cdn.ans.org/policy/statements/docs/ps76.pdf?_ga=2.144993970.768578112.1680017098-2127977751.1680017098
*This article is helpful in comparing nuclear land needs with the land needs of comparable wind and solar farms. We call this comparison variable power density. Power density is defined as the amount of watts a power plant can produce per square meter. Watts are a measurement of electricity that is created or consumed.
https://greensfornuclear.energy/physical-footprint-comparison/
*They also shared this presentation for us and for you…
One of the panelists was Dr Hayes from the N C State Nuclear Engineering Dept. He speaks in a manner that is easy to understand.
We recommend that you all review the slides (takes about 10 minutes). One slide spoke to how small the volume of nuclear energy waste has been created since 1950. I believe he said it would fit on a football field and sit 10 yards deep. Wow!
This is the podcast that they referred to that presents thought provoking information….just what we like…things to make you THINK!
We hope this information gave you more insight and knowledge, and perhaps gave you a newfound respect for nuclear energy. Most importantly, we hope it made you JUST THINK.
As always, thank you for your support and for sharing our episodes, substacks and information with your friends and family. We wouldn’t be here without you.
Love,
The Just Think Trio
Kristen, Holly, & Amy
leaving Bavaria with my family after we got poisoned by the fallout from Czernobyl and seeing the devastation from it, turned me anti-nuclear power. And no Oliver Stone, who did not live downwind from the fallout as many Europeans did, will convince me otherwise.
cost / benefit ?? Here in South Carolina all electric customers are paying for nuclear power from a plant that didn't get off the ground.