NUCLEAR NEWS BULLETIN
October 13, 2022
2022 so far has made one thing abundantly clear: there is bipartisan support for nuclear carbon-free energy. Earlier this year, Congress supported our existing nuclear power plants while encouraging the development of advanced nuclear reactors – reducing carbon emissions while creating new jobs and bolstering our national security.
Now, with the midterm elections next month, this is a crucial moment to keep up the momentum and show the new Congress just how important reliable nuclear energy is to buildingAmerica’s carbon-free energy future.
As a Democrat or a Republican, we may not see eye to eye on every issue, but we both agree on the importance of nuclear energy in our clean energy mix.And we need you to use your voice now on behalf of nuclear energy! Will you sign this petition and tell your elected leaders that Nuclear Matters forAmerica?
With your help, we can support local and national economies, protect our planet and ensure our energy independence by showing Congress how many people are passionate about the cause.
– Carol Browner, Former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator and former Director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy, and Rep. Tom Graves, Former U.S. Congressman (GA-14), President & CEO of the Ervin Graves Strategy Group
Now, keep reading for the top news in nuclear energy this month!
2
● SecuringAmerica’s future with nuclear energy. With the global energy crisis creating uncertainty about our energy future, nuclear carbon-free energy continues to prove its value as a safe, reliable energy source. U.S. Rep. Earl Carter shares how investing in nuclear power at home can strengthen our national security and meet our increasing energy demand while encouraging other nations to pursue their own energy independence.
● Charting nuclear energy’s future in the clean energy workforce. Did you attend our virtual event last week, “At a Crossroads: America’s Clean Energy Workforce”?This webinar, hosted in partnership with theAmerican Nuclear Society, convened industry experts to discuss the role of nuclear power in next-generation jobs and our net-zero future. Click here to catch up on this engaging discussion if you couldn’t make it.
● Did you know that support for nuclear energy is growing around the world? Last month, we discussed ecoAmerica’s American Climate Perspectives Survey which revealed American support for nuclear power increased from 49% in 2018 to 60% in 2022. In addition to increasing support at home, other countries are also recognizing nuclear energy. Belgium and Japan, for example, have extended the operating lifetimes of their nuclear reactors, alongside the Czech Republic, France, Poland and the United Kingdom expanding their nuclear energy portfolios. With
3
more countries valuing nuclear energy, the future is bright for our planet’s carbon-free energy future.
● ...and the “nuclear bros” amplify this support of nuclear energy online. Anew subculture of nuclear energy advocates is taking the Internet by storm.This group of “nuclear bros,” comprised of pro-nuclear male and female advocates, share why nuclear energy is needed for our future by posting on websites like Reddit and Twitter, demonstrating how nuclear energy is necessary for decarbonization. From grassroots activists like Heather Hoff and Kristin Zaitz, the “Mothers for Nuclear,” to global leaders like Bill Gates, this group is determined to share the importance of nuclear energy online.
● Shaping nuclear energy’s future at the federal and state level. Last week, Virginia Governor GlennYoungkin released the 2022 Virginia Energy Plan, which included plans to develop a small modular reactor (SMR) in Southwest Virginia in the next decade while supporting the existing nuclear fleet for the Commonwealth.At the federal level, Rep. Byron Donalds recently introduced the NuclearAssistance forAmerica’s Small BusinessesAct, which seeks to provide support to small businesses interested in researching advanced nuclear reactors. These legislative milestones reinforce this year’s nuclear-powered progress at the federal and state level as more lawmakers recognize how valuable nuclear energy is for our planet.
4
● Advancing the coal-to-nuclear transition. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) found that power plant operators can feasibly convert 80% of the nation’s existing coal plant sites to host nuclear reactors and SMRs, helping our country reach net-zero by 2050 while creating permanent jobs in coal communities.Additionally, Microsoft and U.K.-based climate solution incubator TerraPraxis also announced a partnership to determine which coal sites would offer the best avenue for decarbonization, another positive step forward in the global shift away from fossil fuels and toward nuclear power.
● Industry updates empower innovation. Constellation Energy is exploring the diverse applications of nuclear power through a partnership with theArgonne National Laboratory to produce nuclear-powered hydrogen and work with the DOE to assess nuclear power’s role in direct air capture technology These projects demonstrate the abundance of opportunities nuclear energy provides for decarbonization and next-generation technologies. And that’s not all. Bloom Energy is planning to install an electrolyser at Xcel Energy’s Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant. Curious to look at the progress? Click here for a virtual tour of Prairie Island!
● Documenting the benefits of nuclear power. “Nuclear,” a documentary film co-written by director Oliver Stone andAmerican University Professor Joshua Goldstein, combats the common misconceptions of nuclear energy and demonstrates how it can address the impacts of climate change and help us reach net zero. Learn more about this documentary helping to dispel nuclear energy myths and see how nuclear energy can light a brighter energy future.
5
● October 17 – 21, 2022: Nuclear Science Week
○
Share the facts on nuclear science all week long, and if you’re in the area, join the in-person event inAnnArbor, Mich. Stay tuned for more on the event webpage.
● October 26 – 28, 2022: International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power in the 21st Century
○
Taking place in Washington, D.C., this international event provides a platform for ministers, policymakers, senior officials and experts to discuss nuclear energy’s role in the clean energy transition, sustainable innovation and climate change mitigation. Learn more about the conference.
● November 6 – 18, 2022: 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27)
○
This year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27), hosted in Egypt, will focus on mitigation, adaptation, finance and collaboration, convening global leaders to discuss achieving necessary climate objectives. Find out more about this pivotal climate event that is sure to shape global strategies and solutions for years to come.
Until next time,
Nuclear Matters
Did a friend forward you this email?
They must think you’d make an excellent advocate – and we agree!
Sign up for email updates
6
