Recalibrating nuclear risk

Life is a risky business. We are exposed to an unending cascade of risks, with some deemed “worse” than others, writes John Lindberg of World Nuclear Association. Since the 1970s, a considerable amount of psychological research dedicated to understanding why we often ignore some of the statistically biggest risks (e.g. driving, smoking), whilst fearing some …

Lawmakers urged to pass Illinois bill

Groups representing academics, activists, engineers, environmentalists, entrepreneurs, unionists, and concerned citizens have written to Illinois lawmakers urging them to pass a bill that would create carbon mitigation credits for four nuclear plants – including two that are at risk of closure – before the current legislative session ends on 31 May. The Climate Union Jobs …

IEA assessment of nuclear ‘impractical’, says World Nuclear Association

The International Energy Agency’s Net Zero Emissions (NZE) scenario puts too much faith in technologies that are “uncertain, untested or unreliable” and fails to reflect both the size and scope of the contribution that nuclear technologies could make, World Nuclear Association said today. “Given that more than 60% of the world’s electricity is currently generated …

Poland plans next stage of HTR development

Poland’s Ministry of Education and Science and the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) have signed an agreement for the next round of high temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) design work. The agreement was signed yesterday in Otwock-Spruce, at a ceremony attended by Minister of Climate and Environment Michał Kurtyka, Minister of Education and Science Przemysław …

US may consider nuclear subsidies

The White House has indicated privately to lawmakers and stakeholders that it supports taxpayer subsidies to keep nuclear facilities from closing, Reuters reported on 5 May, citing “three sources familiar with the discussions”. New subsidies, in the form of “production tax credits,” could be included in President Joe Biden’s multi-trillion-dollar legislative effort to invest in …

Nuclear “worth looking at” for African countries

Nuclear can help Africa generate the energy its people need for economic prosperity, while helping to meet the dual challenge of rapidly growing energy demand and concerns for the environment, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has said this week. Governments across Africa are devising policies to become middle-income countries in …