Time for a Nuclear Reconciliation

Dear Ms. Warren, Mr. Sanders, Ms. Gabbard, and Ms. Williamson,

In a recent Washington Post poll, each of you indicated that if elected president you would work to eliminate nuclear power in the United States. I encourage you to reconsider that position.

Nuclear Paranoia

Mushroom cloud over Hiroshima

Nuclear energy exploded into awareness in 1945 when the US dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. In that moment, as it did many times in the 19th century, science disrupted the world’s peace of mind, and nuclear energy became synonymous with catastrophic destruction. Later incidents at Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima deepened fears of nuclear energy. However, the largely groundless fear of nuclear energy could prevent us from adopting the only currently viable clean alternative to fossil fuel energy.

In a recent discussion, my classmate Mary Bowers asked why so many books, movies, and TV shows focus on the theme of technology gone wrong (think Jurassic Park, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Frankenstein). We concluded that since the mechanisms behind most of the technology we use are a mystery, we often fill the unknown with terrifying conjectures. Many citizens do this with nuclear technology, speculating at scenarios of meltdowns and nuclear fallout. Nevertheless, in the US’s seventy years of nuclear power only thirteen deaths have occurred at nuclear plants, none of which was caused by radiation. In contrast, fifteen American coal miners died in 2017 alone.

An unrealistic belief in a hazard can itself be dangerous. After the Fukushima disaster in Japan, experts estimated that five people died from radiation exposure. In contrast, the government’s hasty shutdown of all Japanese nuclear reactors is estimated to have caused 4,500 deaths in the four years following the incident due to increased pollution and electricity costs. The Japanese government’s paranoid reaction led to a thousand times more deaths than the accident itself. A shutdown of nuclear power in the US could have similar unintended effects.

Nuclear Progress
Leaders that understand not just the risks but also the benefits of nuclear power will be able to meet clean energy goals. Our nation’s history began because courageous explorers were supported by their governments in search of brave new worlds. Our nation was created with the enlightenment ideal of progress as a cornerstone, and the US’s unprecedented encouragement of progress has benefited the lives of billions. As our technology moves forward, let’s not let unwarranted fears get in the way of progress in the energy sector.

Nuclear power plant in France

Progress has already begun in Europe. In many environmentally advanced nations—such as France, Sweden, and Belgium—up to 80% of total energy production comes from nuclear reactors, while the US lags under 20%. While renewables like wind, solar, and geothermal are all promising technologies, none yet provides the consistent power needed by American cities. Besides having lower operating costs than wind, solar, and gas, nuclear is currently the only energy source with the production capacity to disrupt fossil fuels.

Like you, I hope that renewable energy technology improves to the point that it can reliably replace fossil fuels as the backbone of our energy production. Until that happens, though, nuclear energy is our best option for producing clean, safe, consistent energy. As you consider your energy plans, please consider not only where we hope to be but where we are with energy technology. The future of our energy and our environment could be in your hands.

Respectfully,
A concerned scientist


Sources

“Nuclear Power Plants: Where 2020 Democrats Stand.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 11 Dec. 2019, www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/policy-2020/climate-change/nuclear-power.

Raby, John. “U.S. Coal Mining Deaths Surge in 2017 after Hitting Record Low.” Chicagotribune.com, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2019, www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-coal-mining-deaths-20180102-story.html.

Neidell, Matthew, et al. Be Cautious with the Precautionary Principle: Evidence from Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Accident. IZA Institute of Labor Economics, Oct. 2019.