Tomich, J. (2023, November 2). Inside One company’s quest to revive U.S. Nuclear Power. E&E News by POLITICO. https://www.eenews.net/articles/inside-one-companys-quest-to-revive-u-s-nuclear-power

The opening of Centrus Energy’s American Centrifuge plant in Piketon, Ohio, marked the first domestically owned uranium enrichment production on U.S. soil in 70 years. The plant is licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to produce high-assay low-enriched uranium, or HALEU, a crucial fuel for the next generation of U.S. reactors. The Department of Energy estimates a need for over 40 metric tons of HALEU by the end of the decade to achieve President Joe Biden’s goal of 100% carbon-free electricity by 2035. However, the industry faces skepticism, with critics questioning feasibility and cost-effectiveness. Not only does Centrus Energy need customers to sell their HALEU to, but the $700 million allocated for HALEU production is just one-fifth of the estimated $3.5 billion needed.

Nuclear energy is complicated and requires a lot of commitment to go through with. This article sheds some light on what is needed for more nuclear energy to be feasible in the US by showing Centrus Energy’s new project on building a plant to produce HALEU. This is important for the future of nuclear energy in the US as it puts more money into nuclear energy and sets up the production of more plants in the future that can use HALEU. The issues that they are running into are the cost of the plant versus the funding they got (again, financial issues), and if this expansion will actually pay off in the future. It will be hard for this plant to sell their HALEU, so the government may have to be the first customer of the company so they can stay afloat in the long-run until more nuclear plants catch on.

Wesoff, E. (2024, January 18). When will the next nuclear plant come online in the US? no one knows. Canary Media. https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/nuclear/when-will-the-next-nuclear-plant-come-online-in-the-us-no-one-knows

The conditions for an “American nuclear renaissance” appear favorable, with government support, rising positive citizen sentiment, and global commitments to triple nuclear power by 2050. However, there are no plans for when the next US nuclear reactor will go online. Previous candidates, like NuScale’s small modular reactor for Utah, faced financial challenges, as with most nuclear reactors. Some potential future candidates include the restart of Michigan’s Palisades plant, Bill Gates’ Natrium reactor in Wyoming, and the Tennessee Valley Authority’s BWRX-300 small modular reactor. Challenges such as regulatory hurdles, fuel supply issues, and economic viability all add to the uncertain future of new nuclear projects.

Although support for nuclear energy is on the rise in the government and in the citizens, there are still many hurdles that make nuclear power difficult to fully implement. Most reactors run into financial issues when being built, which is usually the main obstacle for starting plans for new reactors. This again relates to government funding and how much money we are willing to put into nuclear reactors, tying back to public support. If more people support nuclear energy, there will likely be more funding for nuclear energy in the near future. Right now, I don’t think a lot of people favor nuclear energy just because they are not educated on it; people only know about its dangers and may have false assumptions about it, like it emitting dangerous amounts of nuclear waste, which is just not true.

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.

Fasching, E., Hodge, T., & Johnson, S. (2023, December 26). First new U.S. nuclear reactor since 2016 is now in operation – U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=61106

The first new U.S. nuclear reactor since 2016 is now operational at Georgia’s Vogtle plant, and it is the largest in the country. The 1,114 megawatt unit 3 reactor, part of the new Westinghouse AP1000 design, joins two existing reactors, with another expected to start by March 2024. The project’s total cost is now over $30 billion, though the original cost was expected to be $14 billion. The new design features advanced safety systems and a simpler design, making it safer and more efficient. With recent legislative support, nuclear energy is considered vital for reducing the carbon footprint, comprising nearly 20% of the U.S. electricity generation from 93 operating reactors.

Most nuclear reactors were built from 1970-1990, and almost no more are being constructed in the US. This reactor initially started construction in 1973 and stopped in 1985, then started again in 2007. This shows how little nuclear reactors are being built in the United States. Although there hasn’t been any construction of new reactors, old reactors are still being used and will continue to generate electricity. Also, public opinion is growing more in favor of nuclear energy, as seen in the first article, which means it could trigger more construction of nuclear reactors in the future. Again, nuclear energy should be a heavy consideration to replace more of other energy sources that are worse for the environment.

Leppert, R. (2023, August 18). Growing share of Americans favor more nuclear power. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/08/18/growing-share-of-americans-favor-more-nuclear-power/

A majority of Americans (57%) now support expanding nuclear power plants for electricity generation, a significant increase from 43% in 2020. This rise is evident among both Democrats and Republicans. Although nuclear energy support has increased, solar (82%) and wind power (75%) remain more favored by Americans, with all three emitting no carbon. Advocates for nuclear power argue that it has a large role in carbon emission reduction, while critics point out its high costs and radioactive waste challenges. Men (54%) are more supportive of nuclear power than women (28%), and Republicans (66%) more than Democrats (50%). Despite a 17-point partisan difference, both parties show increased support since 2020. The U.S. has 93 nuclear reactors, declining since 1990, with safety concerns impacting projects.

It is interesting to see how different political parties and gender each support nuclear power differently. I wonder why republicans are more favorable for nuclear power and why men are more favorable than women. Politics are largely related to the future of our environment and climate since they affect what policies are put into place and how we decide to deal with climate change and energy consumption and production. In this case, it is good that more people are supporting nuclear energy since it is a better alternative to energy generation than coal, natural gas, and other non-renewable energy. Although it is a better alternative, there are still issues with nuclear energy and it is more of a transitional energy source until we find a more efficient source.

Adopt-a-Topic: #5: Proctor, D. (2023, December 4). 22 countries, including U.S., pledge to Triple Nuclear Power Capacity. POWER Magazine. https://www.powermag.com/22-countries-including-u-s-pledge-to-triple-nuclear-power-capacity/ 

The United States and 21 other countries have committed to greatly increasing the global generation capacity of nuclear power, as detailed in the article titled “22 Countries, Including U.S., Pledge to Triple Nuclear Power Capacity”. The promise was made during the COP28 climate conference of the United Nations, which took place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The participating nations—Canada, the UK, France, South Korea, and the UAE—aspire to produce three times as much nuclear power by the middle of the century. The understanding that greater use of nuclear energy is essential for lowering carbon emissions and battling climate change is what motivates the decision to increase nuclear power capacity. Global governments are attempting to meet their climate targets, and one practical way to achieve low-carbon and sustainable energy systems is through the use of nuclear power. The 22 nations’ commitment highlights the role that nuclear energy plays in the international effort to combat climate change.

Because it emphasizes the role of nuclear power in the context of environmental sustainability, this article is extremely pertinent to the field of environmental science. Low-carbon energy sources like nuclear power are thought to help lower greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major cause of climate change. These nations are showing their dedication to meeting their climate goals and switching to greener energy sources by promising to triple their nuclear power capacity. Even though using nuclear power has the potential to lower carbon emissions, there are issues and worries that must be recognized and addressed. These include upholding stringent regulatory oversight, safeguarding nuclear facility security, and safely managing radioactive waste. Through efficient resolution of these concerns, nations can fully utilize nuclear energy while preserving public health and the environment.

Adopt-a-Topic: #4:    Central Office, N. a.s.b.l. (n.d.). Finland / country needs new large-scale nuclear power plants, says energy technology expert :: Nucnet: The Independent Nuclear News Agency. The Independent Global Nuclear News Agency. https://www.nucnet.org/news/country-needs-new-large-scale-nuclear-power-plants-says-energy-technology-expert-1-5-2024 

The views of Lappeenranta University of Technology energy technology professor Esa Vakkilainen, who emphasizes the necessity for Finland to construct new large-scale nuclear power plants, are discussed in the article. According to Vakkilainen, even with the nation’s growing reliance on renewable energy sources, baseload power—which nuclear energy can supply—is still necessary. He proposes that Finland should aim to generate 50% of its electricity from nuclear power, up from the current 35%. Additionally, Vakkilainen brings up the potential for new construction projects at the sites of Loviisa and Olkiluoto. Finland’s nuclear power capacity is exemplified by the Olkiluoto-3 nuclear power plant, which started operations in May 2023.

Environmental Science Perspective: By emphasizing nuclear power’s role in the process of switching to a cleaner, more sustainable energy system, this article is pertinent to environmental science. Renewable energy sources are sporadic and weather-dependent, but their expansion is crucial for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and slowing down climate change. In contrast, nuclear power offers a consistent and dependable source of electricity that can satisfy baseload demand. In order to ensure a dependable and resilient energy supply while lowering carbon emissions, Vakkilainen highlights the significance of maintaining a balance between nuclear power and renewable energy by arguing for an increased share of nuclear power. Regarding the environment, the expert’s perspective is in line with the necessity of a varied energy mix to tackle the issues of energy security and climate change. Notwithstanding its contentious reputation, nuclear power has a lot to offer in terms of reliable power supply and the production of low-carbon electricity. Countries can build a more reliable and robust energy system by combining nuclear power with renewable energy sources. Nonetheless, it is imperative to take into account the related environmental and safety factors, like waste management and accident prevention. Achieving sustainable development goals can be facilitated by finding a balance between nuclear power and renewable energy sources.

Adopt-a-Topic: #3: Emerging Europe backs nuclear power to solve energy needs. bne IntelliNews. (2023, January 6). https://www.intellinews.com/emerging-europe-backs-nuclear-power-to-solve-energy-needs-266106/ 

The article “Emerging Europe backs nuclear power to solve energy needs” explores how the region of emerging Europe is beginning to support nuclear power as a way to meet its energy needs. Along with nations in Central Europe like Poland and the Baltic States, it features Belarus, Russia, and Ukraine. The growing need for energy, the move to greener sources, and the potential contribution of nuclear power to achieving these goals are all discussed in the article.

The article poses significant issues regarding striking a balance between reducing environmental impact and meeting rising energy demands in the context of environmental science. Even though nuclear power can help lower greenhouse gas emissions, worries about possible hazards related to its operation and waste management must be addressed. It is impossible to overlook the long-term consequences of nuclear accidents, which include environmental harm and radioactive contamination. As a result, any decision to increase nuclear power should be supported by stringent safety protocols, in-depth risk analyses, and open public participation. The essay also emphasizes the necessity of tackling energy needs and climate change from a comprehensive angle. A varied energy mix that incorporates renewable energy sources like hydroelectric, solar, and wind power is imperative. A more sustainable energy future can also be achieved by putting an emphasis on energy efficiency measures, encouraging sustainable practices, and funding research and development for cutting-edge clean energy technologies.

Adopt-a-Topic: #2:  Harvey, F. (2024, January 24). Nuclear power output expected to break Global Records in 2025. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/24/nuclear-power-output-expected-to-break-global-records-in-2025 

The article “Nuclear power output expected to break global records in 2025” explores the implications of the anticipated global increase in nuclear power generation for the shift to a low-carbon global economy. The International Energy Agency (IEA) predicts that early in 2019, renewable energy will overtake coal as the primary energy source in several countries, including China, India, Korea, and Europe. The report also emphasizes how the transition to a low-carbon economy is driving an increase in the demand for electricity, and how renewable energy sources can help meet this demand. The essay underlines how important it is to keep up the fight against carbon emissions and quicken the switch to sustainable energy sources.

Since it examines nuclear power’s role in combating climate change and advancing the low-carbon economy, this article is pertinent to environmental science. The anticipated rise in nuclear power generation suggests that the potential of nuclear power to support decarbonization efforts is becoming increasingly acknowledged. Regarded as a low-carbon energy source, nuclear power can produce a sizable amount of electricity while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. But it’s crucial to make sure that safety precautions are taken and that waste management issues are sufficiently handled. The article also emphasizes the significance of renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power, which are anticipated to be crucial in supplying the world’s growing need for electricity. In order to mitigate climate change and achieve sustainability goals, there is an ongoing shift towards cleaner energy sources, such as nuclear and renewables. While the diversification of the energy mix is a positive development, more work and funding are required to hasten the shift to clean and sustainable energy.