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