article thumbnail

When It Comes to Nuclear Power, “Advanced” Isn’t Always Better

Union of Concerned Scientists

Nuclear power proponents have long been prone to wishful thinking. Back in 1954, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Lewis Strauss famously predicted that nuclear-generated electricity would ultimately become “too cheap to meter.” Today, nuclear power is among the most expensive forms of electricity.

article thumbnail

Electric Grid Investment in the Public Interest

Union of Concerned Scientists

Electricity is necessary for reading this blog, phoning your family, and buying milk at the store. Most every modern public health, safety and security system we rely on also depends on the electric grid. To expand and modernize the nation’s electric infrastructure, the federal government recently announced new funding.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Five Things the “Nuclear Bros” Don’t Want You to Know About Small Modular Reactors

Union of Concerned Scientists

Even casual followers of energy and climate issues have probably heard about the alleged wonders of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). The failure of these projects to come in on time and under budget undermines arguments that modern nuclear power plants can overcome the problems that have plagued the nuclear industry in the past.

article thumbnail

Why smaller is better when it comes to nuclear power

Physics World

Mention “nuclear power” and attention almost immediately turns to safety. Despite huge advances in nuclear technology in recent decades, everyone still thinks about the accidents that occurred at older reactors like Chernobyl , Three Mile Island or Fukushima. Dozens of countries don’t even have – or don’t want – nuclear power.

article thumbnail

The Atomic Energy Advancement Act: Preparing the Way for Advanced Nuclear Power Plants  

Cresforum

Introduction One of the main messages coming out of the recent COP28 meetings in the UAE concerns the role that nuclear power can play in the future of clean energy development around the world. The hope is that this encourages international financial institutions to include nuclear energy in loans for energy projects.

article thumbnail

What You Need To Know About Nuclear Power

Earth 911

This article is the fourth in a six-part series that explores how we get our electricity. The post What You Need To Know About Nuclear Power appeared first on Earth911.

article thumbnail

Ask a Scientist: Two Dozen States Can Meet 100 Percent of Electricity Demand with Renewables by 2035

Union of Concerned Scientists

Nearly all of the alliance members have a renewable electricity standard (RES), which requires utilities in their jurisdiction to increase their use of renewable energy to a particular percentage by a specific year. EN: What were your top findings? Under current policies and plans, carbon dioxide emissions would decline by only 12 percent.