With the Shift From Fossil Fuels, Many Think Nuclear Power is the Key

Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 -- 10:01 AM

(By Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio) As the nation shifts away from fossil fuels to combat climate change, federal energy officials and some lawmakers in Wisconsin say nuclear power plays a key role in meeting carbon reduction goals.

According to DAnielle Kaeding with Wisconsin Public Radio, the remarks were part of a Thursday discussion about nuclear power hosted by Customers First Coalition. The discussion was broadcast on WisconsinEye. Supporters of nuclear plants say they’re a carbon-free source of electricity.

Opponents express concerns about their safety, waste storage and the cost of building new reactors. Plant Vogtle is the nation's only nuclear plant currently under construction in Georgia.

The development of new reactors slowed significantly after a partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979 destroyed public confidence in nuclear energy. More recently, safety concerns have mounted in Minnesota surrounding Xcel Energy's nuclear plant in Monticello after water containing mildly radioactive material leaked for months before it was disclosed to the public.

Cheryl Moss Herman, a senior advisor within the Department of Energy, said nuclear power is the only way to reach the Biden administration’s goals to cut carbon emissions in half by the end of the decade and provide carbon-free electricity by 2035.

"We're definitely at a turning point, not just for the future of nuclear energy, but for our efforts to tackle the climate crisis and for meeting the escalating challenges to our energy security," Herman said.

Scientists have urged drastic cuts in carbon emissions to ward off the worst effects of climate change. Herman noted a Department of Energy report released in September states between 100 to 200 gigawatts of new nuclear power will be needed by 2050 to meet the nation’s carbon reduction goals.

That’s more than triple the country’s current nuclear generating capacity. Currently, there are 28 states that host 93 reactors in operation, including a new unit at Plant Vogtle. Nuclear accounts for 16 percent of power generated in Wisconsin.

The state’s clean energy plan released last year by Gov. Tony Evers said the state should explore new nuclear power as part of the clean energy transition. State Democratic Minority Leader Melissa Agard of Madison said nuclear energy is a "significant part" of the state’s transition.

Republican State Representative Kevin Petersen of Waupaca, who helped repeal Wisconsin’s decades-long nuclear moratorium in 2016, said the state is ready to expand its energy portfolio.

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