- Update from article titled “White House Supports New Nuclear Reactors”
- Secretary Granholm is pushing more nuclear power plants by 2050
- While the idea is in demand, the cost is high. Contractors have no current plans on further construction of additional plants
Last Wednesday, President Joe Biden and the White House announced additional funding for nuclear energy research and the construction of new power plants to boost industry output. On Friday, May 31, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm called for additional nuclear power generation and more nuclear reactors.
What Happened Last Week?
Recently, Reuters reported that the White House wants additional funds and research for nuclear energy. President Biden aims to uphold his administration’s commitment to a carbon-free U.S. economy by 2050 and believes investing in nuclear power will be a worthwhile bet. The White House also asked the military and other departments to look into small modular reactors (SMRs), essentially downsized and portable nuclear reactors. These units have several advantages over contemporary power plants, as they are more cost-effective, can adapt to changing environments, and are at less risk of a nuclear accident.
Granholm’s Request
Secretary Granholm, a strong proponent of nuclear energy, proclaimed that “it is now time for others to help us accomplish net zero by 2050. We have to triple our current nuclear output, at minimum.” The Associated Press reported that Granholm believes the United States needs 98 additional reactors with the same output as the Vogtle plant in Georgia. However, this may be unrealistic owing to the exorbitant cost of the two Georgia plants. Chris Womack, CEO of Southern CO., the contractor for the Vogtle base, has already stated that while he agrees with Granholm’s appeal for more nuclear energy, he and his company will not be building any shortly. In addition, Georgia residents will bear the brunt of these monetary costs, as the Associated Press reported that the Georgia Public Service Commission unanimously approved a 6% rate increase for consumers. Customers will now have to pay approximately $166 per month, an increase of $8.95, which follows another $5.42 increase last year.
