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We Need Nuclear NOW & Grindr Union Goes Wild | PIRATE WIRES EP#14 🏴‍☠️

Pirate Wires

Fri Sep 15 2023



Grant Dever and the White Pill on Nuclear Energy in America:

  • Public support for nuclear energy has increased by 14 points since 2020, according to Pew Research.
  • The desire for carbon-free energy has grown, driven by concerns about climate change and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factors.
  • There is a need for firm baseload power due to slim operating reserves in grids across the United States.
  • The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's approval process for new reactors needs reform, as it is currently too prescriptive.
  • Small modular reactors (SMRs) show promise for scalability and potential adoption by large tech companies.

The Challenges of Nuclear Development:

  • Building nuclear reactors can be costly and face delays. For example, the Vogtle 3 and Vogtle 4 reactors in Georgia experienced overruns and management changes during construction.
  • Large environmental NGOs have been hostile towards nuclear energy, hindering its progress.
  • Financial support from large asset managers is often lacking due to regulatory issues and uncertainties surrounding design approvals.

The Potential Benefits of Nuclear Energy:

  • Nuclear power provides abundant carbon-free energy that can help combat climate change.
  • It can offer economic growth through job creation and infrastructure development.
  • Compared to solar energy, nuclear power requires less land use and does not rely on rare metals or cheap labor with human rights concerns.

Concerns about Solar Energy:

  • Solar energy production involves hazardous materials that pose risks to both workers and the environment.
  • Recycling solar panels improperly can lead to toxic exposure when dismantled by children in developing countries.
  • A complete shift to solar energy would require significant land use and potentially contribute to environmental degradation.

The California State Legislative Session:

  • The session included both banal legislation, such as designating a state mushroom, as well as more concerning bills.
  • Fare evasion was decriminalized, meaning there will be minimal consequences for not paying public transportation fares if signed into law.
  • A bill was passed that prioritizes custody for parents affirming a child's gender identity, potentially overriding objections from the other parent.

The Need for Increased Awareness:

  • Many legislative actions go unnoticed by the general public due to lack of media coverage and attention.
  • Citizens should pay closer attention to legislation and engage with their representatives to ensure accountability and transparency in the decision-making process.

California Legislative Session:

  • Legislation being passed without debate
  • People grandstanding before voting in lockstep
  • Lack of engagement and disinterest in legislative hearings
  • California session begins with a non-denominational prayer led by a nun
  • Voting on bills, no land acknowledgement

Comparison between US Congress and British Parliament:

  • US Congress is orderly and lacks excitement compared to British Parliament
  • In British Parliament, members scream at each other and engage in lively debates

Positive outlook on nuclear energy:

  • Diablo Canyon marked a big shift in favor of nuclear energy
  • Different parties claim credit for influencing Governor Newsom's decision to support nuclear energy due to the threat of blackouts impacting his chances of becoming president
  • Many state legislatures are pro-nuclear and providing subsidies for nuclear projects
  • Funding allocated to loan programs for coal-to-nuclear plants
  • States are paving the way for advanced nuclear technology and investing in existing transmission infrastructure

Benefits of nuclear energy:

  • Living next to small modular reactor nuclear facilities is preferable to living near coal plants
  • Nuclear plants contribute significantly to local tax revenue, benefiting school districts and communities

International progress in nuclear energy:

  • Sweden, Canada, and France are planning or have shifted towards building more nuclear reactors

Regulations and competition:

  • Regulations need improvement to support the growth of nuclear power industry
  • Encouragement for companies working on gigascale reactors that can bring abundance through competition