Thread by @JasonBordoff

A decade after Fukushima, nuclear power is getting a fresh look for 3 reasons: the urgency of meeting ambitious climate goals, significant advances in nuclear technology, and national security concerns.

I have a deep dive essay in @ForeignPolicy. See this thread for highlights🧵

https://twitter.com/ForeignPolicy/status/1478093943086755846

First, as the urgency to combat the climate crisis grows, there is growing recognition that the pathway to net-zero emissions will be faster, easier, and cheaper if nuclear energy is part of the mix of solutions.

@Grimezsz got it right re: Diablo Canyon in California: “This is crisis mode, and we should be using all the tools that we have.”

https://twitter.com/isabelleboemeke/status/1467897553681276931

In Washington, nuclear power investment is one of few areas of bipartisan agreement at a time when a promising slate of nuclear technology companies could reduce costs, waste, and safety concerns.

Globally, the need for nuclear power is even greater.

Nuclear power is the world’s second-largest source of zero-carbon energy after hydropower. In its net-zero 2050 roadmap, @IEA projects nuclear power generation globally will nearly double. Two-thirds of new nuclear capacity will be built in emerging markets & developing economies

The second reason for a brighter nuclear outlook is technological advancements that reduce costs, waste, and safety concerns. There is a range of advanced reactor designs for fission under development. And while fusion is still experimental, real progress is being made.

The third reason is nat'l security. If the US exits the nuclear power sector—deliberately or otherwise—it will be Beijing & Moscow building the world's projects & setting future norms for nuclear commerce & safety, w potentially negative consequences for nonproliferation efforts.

To be clear, nuclear power is by no means a silver bullet and brings with it significant challenges and risks. The Q to ask, however, is whether it is easier to address those risks & challenges than to try to achieve net-zero without nuclear in the mix.

Electricity use will grow dramatically as we decarbonize the energy system. Including zero-C nuclear as part of a diverse mix of electricity sources will lower total costs, improve reliability & resilience, & help achieve the rapid decarbonization the world so urgently needs.

These are just a few highlights from the piece, but please read and share the whole thing. If climate action is to match climate ambition, then support for nuclear power should be much higher.