Jie, L. H. (2023, August 22). Is nuclear energy the answer to a sustainable future? experts are divided. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/22/nuclear-energy-the-answer-to-a-sustainable-future-experts-are-divided.html

As the world aims for net-zero emissions by 2050, nuclear power is presented as a crucial solution, offering clean, reliable energy that overcomes the intermittency of renewables. Some experts argue that it is the only scalable option for providing cheap, pollution-free energy for a growing global population. Governments are increasingly investing in nuclear energy, with 486 reactors planned, proposed, or under construction as of July. Despite concerns about safety and incidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, proponents highlight the improved efficiency and safety of modern nuclear plants. On the other hand, challenges such as cost and public fear of nuclear energy and nuclear reactors continue to hinder widespread adoption.

This article perfectly summarizes the average citizen’s current opinion and knowledge of nuclear energy in the United States: over-feared because of big accidents like Fukushima and Chernobyl, even though those accidents are very rare and are even rarer now that nuclear plants’ safety has improved by a lot. Nuclear energy is a great scalable and sustainable way to provide clean energy to the US and the world, but the drawbacks are cost and public perception, as said in the article. The average overnight cost of a nuclear reactor is around $5-6 billion, but other costs push it way above that. Nuclear energy could be a main source of energy in the US right now, but people are not well-educated enough on it for it to be put into action with funding.