Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions using Nuclear Energy Richard McPherson May 8, 2022 This week attending FOCUS Learning Corporation’s annual meeting in Pismo Beach, California with its clients. Thanks to Gary Sprague, founder of FOCUS Learning, I was with the people responsible for providing us with 19% of our electricity. It was amazing to hear the heads of training talk about their nuclear plants and people they are responsible for training to operate and maintain America’s 93 remaining nuclear reactors. Down from 104 reactors identified as one of the top three United States (US) critical infrastructures a week after the September 11, 2001, attack on America. “Our nuclear program is in decline and has been for some time. After peaking 10 years ago with 104 operating reactors, our nuclear fleet is now down to 93 operating reactors. Most reactors are over 40 years old. Only two new nuclear power plants have been built and come online since the Three Mile Island accident over 40 years ago, and only two more are still under construction, But we cannot afford to give up on nuclear power. We cannot meet our climate goals and meet our energy needs without it. We cannot afford to eliminate our existing fleet of nuclear reactors. But they will not last forever, and must be replaced by new, safer and more affordable reactor designs.” ꟷSenator Joe Manchin, Chairman Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, March 17, 2022 Think about just 93 nuclear reactors (1.27% of the installed units) generating 19% of the electricity for us out of over 7,300 electricity generating power plants? Sitting in a room observing the few people responsible for so much, caused me to pause and ask, “What is wrong in America?” It is simply, no cogent US energy public policy since President Dwight D. Eisenhower offered the world “Peace and Prosperity” on December 8, 1953, at the United Nations in his “Atoms for Peace” speech from American nuclear energy. According to both the U.S. Global Change Research Program and the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), substantial reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will be required by mid-century to limit the global average increase in temperature to no more than 2°C thus minimizing the risk of severe impacts from climate change. If between 1.5°C and 2°C warming is exceeded this century deep 1
reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other GHG emissions are required in coming decades. Many researchers postulate it is virtually certain that the global mean sea level will continue to rise over the 21st century. Even under one low GHG emissions scenario it is thought the global mean sea-level rise by 2100 will be 0.28 to 0.55 meters (0.9 to 1.8 feet). Insurance companies expecting insured losses to increase as sea level continues to rise and more frequent extreme precipitation events result in more extensive and deeper floods, including dangerous flash flooding in urban areas not previously considered flood prone, have been raising rates or even refusing to insure some properties at risk. What is the answer to maximize deep reductions in carbon dioxide (CO2) and other GHG emissions? Nuclear energy. It is that simple. Thirty states already enjoy the benefits of nuclear power. The top 12 enjoying nuclear power are New Hampshire 61%; South Carolina 56%; Illinois 54%; Tennessee 44%; Connecticut 42%, Maryland 38%; New Jersey 37%; Pennsylvania 36%; New York 34%; Alabama 31%; North Carolina 31%; Virginia 30% of each state’s emission free, safe and sustainable energy source. Other states enjoying benefits from nuclear energy are Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. California since 2000 has been increasingly hurt by draught. There is no excuse for anyone in California, including the agriculture industry to not have water. As far back as 1964, I recall talk about utilizing nuclear power for desalinization. Advances in technology are benefitting everyone. While advances in commercial nuclear energy declined after 1970, gave the world the Boeing 777. Entering service in 1995, the B777 was the first commercial jet to be 100% digitally designed using three-dimensional graphics there by eliminating the need for costly mockups and full-scale prototype model testing; it was the world’s first commercial aircraft entirely designed by computers. Boeing had fulfilled more than 1,400 orders for the B777, known to be the world’s most cost effective, fuel efficient largest twin-engine commercial aircraft in the world. A similar approach developed the intrinsically safe, natural circulation (with not pumps or valves), advanced Molten Salt Nuclear Battery (MsNB), without several billion in upfront costs like the Boeing 777. Instead, the team, headed by Dr. Paul Marotta, used the “make or buy” approach to determine the most efficient pathway to manufacturing the MsNB. Utilizing the make or buy approach, lowered the time, cost, and developing scale models for evaluating the MsNB. It is close to being ready for manufacturing at Premier Technology, Inc., in Blackfoot, Idaho to meet years in advance any proposed emissions mandate. Premier Technology has been ready to “cut metal” and start manufacturing MsNBs since June 2020.
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The MsNB makes nuclear energy is no longer complex or generates “waste;” a phrase created under the Carter administration, for partially spent nuclear fuel (an asset) from America’s current nuclear reactors providing 19% of emission free safe and dependable electricity Americans consumed in 2021. Since 1995, America’s nuclear reactors have consistently been providing 19%-20% of the electricity used by Americans. Analyzing counties and incorporated cities in America using government data, it was discovered that one 10 Megawatt MsNB can serve over 14,900 out of 19,405 incorporated cities in the US for national security and to support first responders including the associated National Guard benefits being much more emission free safe, providing dependable and sustainable electricity for Americans (www.micronucleartech.com). Nothing beats American’s individual innovation, perseverance, productivity and speed to make the world better. The author has been involved in energy including nuclear since 1963. Mr. McPherson believes every natural energy source must be exploited for its highest and best economical use using every changing resource conversion technologies. Richard was the US Representative to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) because of the Russian RBMK nuclear plant design in the Ukraine in as a member oof a six-nation group studying “Nuclear Fuel Cycle Facilities, the Environment and Public Opinion” for four years. Today, he is in Idaho pursuing solutions under the nexus of agriculture, water and energy. Richard believes the MsNB now makes it possible to eliminate starvation worldwide.
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