That’s Rad: Nuclear Normalization | Grace Stanke

Nuclear Energy Overview - Nuclear energy faced initial negative perceptions due to events like the atomic bombings and Three Mile Island incident, requiring positive interactions to overcome these impressions [1][2][6] - The industry emphasizes learning from past mistakes through the Institution of Nuclear Power Operators (INPO), a database for sharing and preventing errors [10][11][12] - Public support for nuclear energy remains a challenge, with only two new reactors coming online since 2000 [13][14] Nuclear Energy Technology and Efficiency - Modernization of nuclear power plants has increased efficiency, allowing fewer reactors (94 currently) to produce the same amount (20%) of America's electricity as 104 reactors in 1999 [29] - Nuclear fuel is highly energy-dense; one fuel pellet (about the size of a gummy bear) generates the same electricity as one ton (2000 lbs) of coal [32][33] - Nuclear power plants operate at 100% power output 93% of the time, making it the most reliable energy source compared to geothermal (74%) and natural gas (54%) [47] Nuclear Waste and Policy - The industry advocates for changing the term "waste" to "spent nuclear fuel" because 90-95% can be recycled and reused in reactors [35] - Reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel is actively practiced in France, Russia, India, and soon in Japan [36] - There is growing bipartisan support for nuclear energy at the federal level, with hundreds of bills proposed annually and some passing with near-unanimous votes [41][42] - The Biden administration aims to triple nuclear capacity in America, and the Secretary of Energy seeks to unleash the commercial nuclear energy industry for energy dominance [43] Nuclear Energy and Clean Energy - Nuclear energy is considered emissions-free and essential for mitigating climate change, providing reliable baseload power [45] - Unlike other energy industries, the nuclear industry can account for every piece of its waste, stored in dry casks on-site [44]