Michele Kearney's Nuclear Wire

Major Energy and Environmental News and Commentary affecting the Nuclear Industry.

Monday, April 28, 2025

America’s nuclear arsenal to cost $946B over next decade, government report reveals - Breaking Defense

America’s nuclear arsenal to cost $946B over next decade, government report reveals - Breaking Defense

Partnership to look into SMRs for Utah site - World Nuclear News

Partnership to look into SMRs for Utah site - World Nuclear News

Is nuclear power the solution? Letters from San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo Tribune

Is nuclear power the solution? Letters from San Luis Obispo | San Luis Obispo Tribune

Poland, US firms sign contract to design nuclear power plant | Reuters

Poland, US firms sign contract to design nuclear power plant | Reuters

China Approves 10 New Reactors in Nuclear Power Ramp-Up | Financial Post

China Approves 10 New Reactors in Nuclear Power Ramp-Up | Financial Post

(27) Feed | LinkedIn

(27) Feed | LinkedIn

Great British Nuclear Puts Out £600 Million Tender For Engineering Firms To Work On SMRs

Great British Nuclear Puts Out £600 Million Tender For Engineering Firms To Work On SMRs

Reactor Revolution: Cultivating TRUST Between South Korea and the United States for Tomorrow's Energy - The National Interest

Reactor Revolution: Cultivating TRUST Between South Korea and the United States for Tomorrow's Energy - The National Interest

Nuclear energy: Will uranium ever get its day in the sun?

Nuclear energy: Will uranium ever get its day in the sun?

UK SMR Competition May Unravel Over Budget | Neutron Bytes

UK SMR Competition May Unravel Over Budget | Neutron Bytes

The Other Nuclear Race: America Is Falling Behind China and Russia on Energy Innovation

The Other Nuclear Race: America Is Falling Behind China and Russia on Energy Innovation

US uranium enrichment startup emerges from stealth - World Nuclear News

US uranium enrichment startup emerges from stealth - World Nuclear News

Russia attacked Chornobyl Nuclear Plant in February, damaging confinement. Can it be fully restored?

Russia attacked Chornobyl Nuclear Plant in February, damaging confinement. Can it be fully restored?

China Approves 10 New Reactors in Nuclear Power Ramp-Up - Bloomberg

China Approves 10 New Reactors in Nuclear Power Ramp-Up - Bloomberg

40 billion tons and the future of Earth ― It's all in China's hands

40 billion tons and the future of Earth ― It's all in China's hands

British nuclear fusion pioneer plunges after ditching reactor plans

British nuclear fusion pioneer plunges after ditching reactor plans

Friday, April 25, 2025

A Thorium Reactor Has Rewritten the Rules of Nuclear Power

A Thorium Reactor Has Rewritten the Rules of Nuclear Power

Uranium Producer Namibia Eyes Development of Nuclear Plant | Financial Post

Uranium Producer Namibia Eyes Development of Nuclear Plant | Financial Post

State legislation: Bipartisan support growing for nuclear energy in Wisconsin -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

State legislation: Bipartisan support growing for nuclear energy in Wisconsin -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

The Trump administration says it wants a ‘nuclear renaissance.’ These actions suggest otherwise. | Grist

The Trump administration says it wants a ‘nuclear renaissance.’ These actions suggest otherwise. | Grist

Optimizing Supply Chain Processes to Ensure a Reliable Electric Power System

Optimizing Supply Chain Processes to Ensure a Reliable Electric Power System

The 2025 ANS election results are in! -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

The 2025 ANS election results are in! -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

What is really going to change the world – China’s nuclear energy breakthrough, by Hua Bin - The Unz Review

What is really going to change the world – China’s nuclear energy breakthrough, by Hua Bin - The Unz Review

Update 288 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine | IAEA

Update 288 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine | IAEA

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi met high-level officials from the U.S. administration to discuss important current issues related to non-proliferation and nuclear safety worldwide, during a visit to Washington DC where he also spoke to the heads of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank about the financing of nuclear energy projects | IAEA

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi met high-level officials from the U.S. administration to discuss important current issues related to non-proliferation and nuclear safety worldwide, during a visit to Washington DC where he also spoke to the heads of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank about the financing of nuclear energy projects | IAEA

Shoigu threatens Europe with nuclear weapons if Russia is faced with 'unfriendly actions'

Shoigu threatens Europe with nuclear weapons if Russia is faced with 'unfriendly actions'

Wyoming Power Plant May Be Proving Ground For Emissions-Free Coal Burning | Cowboy State Daily

Wyoming Power Plant May Be Proving Ground For Emissions-Free Coal Burning | Cowboy State Daily

Iran rejects demand from US to rely on imported uranium | Iran | The Guardian

Iran rejects demand from US to rely on imported uranium | Iran | The Guardian

Air Force Still Planning Nuclear Microreactor in Alaska—and More

Air Force Still Planning Nuclear Microreactor in Alaska—and More

Shoigu threatens Europe with nuclear weapons if Russia is faced with 'unfriendly actions'

Shoigu threatens Europe with nuclear weapons if Russia is faced with 'unfriendly actions'

Thursday, April 24, 2025

How to Lose a Tech War

How to Lose a Tech War

ONE HUNDRED DAYS OF CHAOS - Seymour Hersh

ONE HUNDRED DAYS OF CHAOS - Seymour Hersh

Louisiana wants to pave the way for small nuclear reactors, an untested technology in the U.S. • Louisiana Illuminator

Louisiana wants to pave the way for small nuclear reactors, an untested technology in the U.S. • Louisiana Illuminator

The United States operates the world’s largest nuclear power plant fleet - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

The United States operates the world’s largest nuclear power plant fleet - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)

NRC approves KRONOS reactor fuel design - Nuclear Engineering International

NRC approves KRONOS reactor fuel design - Nuclear Engineering International

'The nuclear renaissance': Wisconsin lawmakers discuss pro-nuclear energy bills - WPR

'The nuclear renaissance': Wisconsin lawmakers discuss pro-nuclear energy bills - WPR

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi met high-level officials from the U.S. administration to discuss important current issues related to non-proliferation and nuclear safety worldwide, during a visit to Washington DC where he also spoke to the heads of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank about the financing of nuclear energy projects | IAEA

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi met high-level officials from the U.S. administration to discuss important current issues related to non-proliferation and nuclear safety worldwide, during a visit to Washington DC where he also spoke to the heads of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank about the financing of nuclear energy projects | IAEA

Fusion energy: A vital investment for America's future

Fusion energy: A vital investment for America's future

Great British Nuclear Puts Out £600 Million Tender For Engineering Firms To Work On SMRs

Great British Nuclear Puts Out £600 Million Tender For Engineering Firms To Work On SMRs

Stepping forward on cleanup - Nuclear Engineering International

Stepping forward on cleanup - Nuclear Engineering International

Should Texas use taxpayer dollars to support the advanced nuclear industry?

Should Texas use taxpayer dollars to support the advanced nuclear industry?

US regulator approves microreactor fuel qualification methodology - World Nuclear News

US regulator approves microreactor fuel qualification methodology - World Nuclear News

Nuclear advocates fight potential cuts at DOE’s Loan Programs Office -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Nuclear advocates fight potential cuts at DOE’s Loan Programs Office -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

El Salvador: Looking to nuclear -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

El Salvador: Looking to nuclear -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Lisa Marshall discusses the future of nuclear education -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Lisa Marshall discusses the future of nuclear education -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Hanford to hold virtual meeting on proposed waste processing facility -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Hanford to hold virtual meeting on proposed waste processing facility -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Integrated Waste Management System and Tools for SNF Management -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Integrated Waste Management System and Tools for SNF Management -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Reactor Revolution: Cultivating TRUST Between South Korea and the United States for Tomorrow's Energy - The National Interest

Reactor Revolution: Cultivating TRUST Between South Korea and the United States for Tomorrow's Energy - The National Interest

US Ambassador discusses Armenia's nuclear energy sector with Westinghouse representatives - ARMENPRESS Armenian News Agency

US Ambassador discusses Armenia's nuclear energy sector with Westinghouse representatives - ARMENPRESS Armenian News Agency

Great British Nuclear Puts Out £600 Million Tender For Engineering Firms To Work On SMRs

Great British Nuclear Puts Out £600 Million Tender For Engineering Firms To Work On SMRs

TVA Reapplies for $800 Million Grant from DOE Small Modular Reactor Program | American Public Power Association

TVA Reapplies for $800 Million Grant from DOE Small Modular Reactor Program | American Public Power Association

The Trump administration says it wants a ‘nuclear renaissance.’ These actions suggest otherwise. | Grist

The Trump administration says it wants a ‘nuclear renaissance.’ These actions suggest otherwise. | Grist

TVA reviews powers board gave to CEO as it speeds new nuclear project

TVA reviews powers board gave to CEO as it speeds new nuclear project

How to Define Nuclear Success | The Breakthrough Institute

How to Define Nuclear Success | The Breakthrough Institute

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Bill Gates Believes the Future of Energy Lies Not in Renewable or Nuclear Fusion, but in Natrium - Jason Deegan

Bill Gates Believes the Future of Energy Lies Not in Renewable or Nuclear Fusion, but in Natrium - Jason Deegan

Arms Control Is Not Dead Yet: America Should Pursue Parallel Nuclear Negotiations With China and Russia

Arms Control Is Not Dead Yet: America Should Pursue Parallel Nuclear Negotiations With China and Russia

Oppenheimer dances at the Nuclear Rave for SF Climate week

Oppenheimer dances at the Nuclear Rave for SF Climate week

Can California manage a switch to a carbon-free future? | Opinion

Can California manage a switch to a carbon-free future? | Opinion

Licensing Microreactors: The Small Guy Might Be the Most Nimble – Up & Atom

Licensing Microreactors: The Small Guy Might Be the Most Nimble – Up & Atom

Governor rejects fast-track for small nuclear reactors at Arizona data centers - Route Fifty

Governor rejects fast-track for small nuclear reactors at Arizona data centers - Route Fifty

US regulator approves microreactor fuel qualification methodology - World Nuclear News

US regulator approves microreactor fuel qualification methodology - World Nuclear News

ANS webinar tackles radiological risks -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

ANS webinar tackles radiological risks -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Los Alamos researchers test TRISO transportation -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Los Alamos researchers test TRISO transportation -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

TVA Seeks Energy Proposals for 50 to 1,000 Megawatts

TVA Seeks Energy Proposals for 50 to 1,000 Megawatts

Is Wisconsin having a nuclear energy moment? | Government | captimes.com

Is Wisconsin having a nuclear energy moment? | Government | captimes.com

Trump’s tariffs are threatening a nuclear power plant restart in Michigan

Trump’s tariffs are threatening a nuclear power plant restart in Michigan

DOE Releases More Funding to Reopen Palisades Nuclear Plant

DOE Releases More Funding to Reopen Palisades Nuclear Plant

Why China wants to build a nuclear power plant on the Moon | The Independent

Why China wants to build a nuclear power plant on the Moon | The Independent

China, Russia may build nuclear plant on moon to power lunar station, official says | Reuters

China, Russia may build nuclear plant on moon to power lunar station, official says | Reuters

Nuclear advocates fight potential cuts at DOE’s Loan Programs Office -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Nuclear advocates fight potential cuts at DOE’s Loan Programs Office -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

UK urged to plan 20 mini nuclear reactors to boost technology

UK urged to plan 20 mini nuclear reactors to boost technology

DOE Releases More Funding to Reopen Palisades Nuclear Plant

DOE Releases More Funding to Reopen Palisades Nuclear Plant

Group Projects 100-GW Rise in Global Nuclear Power Capacity Across Next Decade

Group Projects 100-GW Rise in Global Nuclear Power Capacity Across Next Decade

DOE Approves Third Loan Disbursement to Reopen the Palisades Nuclear Plant | Department of Energy

DOE Approves Third Loan Disbursement to Reopen the Palisades Nuclear Plant | Department of Energy

Fusion energy: A vital investment for America's future

Fusion energy: A vital investment for America's future

Can we please stop this nonsense about what’s the best source of energy? -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

Can we please stop this nonsense about what’s the best source of energy? -- ANS / Nuclear Newswire

The Nuclear Race to Power the AI Economy | American Enterprise Institute - AEI

The Nuclear Race to Power the AI Economy | American Enterprise Institute - AEI

Pentagon Calls For Nuclear Reactors, Microgrids To Power Military Bases – American Liberty News

Pentagon Calls For Nuclear Reactors, Microgrids To Power Military Bases – American Liberty News

Exclusive: a Nature analysis signals the beginnings of a US science brain drain

Exclusive: a Nature analysis signals the beginnings of a US science brain drain

China, Saudi Arabia strengthen nuclear safety collaboration - Global Times

China, Saudi Arabia strengthen nuclear safety collaboration - Global Times

How to Define Nuclear Success - The Breakthrough Journal

How to Define Nuclear Success - The Breakthrough Journal

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

The New Manhattan Project: Tech Titans Reignite America’s Nuclear Industry – Firstpost

The New Manhattan Project: Tech Titans Reignite America’s Nuclear Industry – Firstpost

Small modular reactors to fire up nuclear goal - The Hindu BusinessLine

Small modular reactors to fire up nuclear goal - The Hindu BusinessLine

Russia cooperation with North Korea may violate nuke nonproliferation treaty: US | NK News

Russia cooperation with North Korea may violate nuke nonproliferation treaty: US | NK News

Fusion energy: A vital investment for America's future

Fusion energy: A vital investment for America's future

Louisiana explores the promise—and reality—of 'advanced nuclear' as industrial energy needs soar – 10/12 Industry Report

Louisiana explores the promise—and reality—of 'advanced nuclear' as industrial energy needs soar – 10/12 Industry Report

Republican lawmakers face clean-energy conundrum as they work on tax bill | Reuters

Republican lawmakers face clean-energy conundrum as they work on tax bill | Reuters

Cold-weather grid performance improves, plus 4 other FERC open meeting takeaways | Utility Dive

Cold-weather grid performance improves, plus 4 other FERC open meeting takeaways | Utility Dive

Japan eyes world first producing hydrogen using heat from reactor | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Japan eyes world first producing hydrogen using heat from reactor | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

T&T and NPX form nuclear alliance - Nuclear Engineering International

T&T and NPX form nuclear alliance - Nuclear Engineering International

Has Nuclear Energy's Time Come? | Richmond Fed

Has Nuclear Energy's Time Come? | Richmond Fed

Group Projects 100-GW Rise in Global Nuclear Power Capacity Across Next Decade

Group Projects 100-GW Rise in Global Nuclear Power Capacity Across Next Decade

California Is Forced to Import More Electricity Than Any Other State Because of Its Insane Green Energy Policies

California Is Forced to Import More Electricity Than Any Other State Because of Its Insane Green Energy Policies

California Net-Zero Leaders Want To Shutter Its Only Zero Emissions Electricity-Generating Plant – OpEd – Eurasia Review

California Net-Zero Leaders Want To Shutter Its Only Zero Emissions Electricity-Generating Plant – OpEd – Eurasia Review

Wildfire Risk Management: PGE's Approach and Initiatives | T&D World

Wildfire Risk Management: PGE's Approach and Initiatives | T&D World

DOE Releases More Funding to Reopen Palisades Nuclear Plant

DOE Releases More Funding to Reopen Palisades Nuclear Plant

NANO Nuclear and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Receive Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Fuel Qualification Methodology Approval for KRONOS MMR™ Energy System | Morningstar

NANO Nuclear and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Receive Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Fuel Qualification Methodology Approval for KRONOS MMR™ Energy System | Morningstar

Regulation: White House Executive Orders Challenge US NRC | Energy Intelligence

Regulation: White House Executive Orders Challenge US NRC | Energy Intelligence

NRC Commissioner says doesn’t know the future of NRC under Trump, ‘Does anybody?’ - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1

NRC Commissioner says doesn’t know the future of NRC under Trump, ‘Does anybody?’ - ExchangeMonitor | Page 1

China Unveils World’s 1st ‘Meltdown Proof’ Thorium Reactor | OilPrice.com

China Unveils World’s 1st ‘Meltdown Proof’ Thorium Reactor | OilPrice.com

Ghost forests are growing as sea levels rise - Ars Technica

Ghost forests are growing as sea levels rise - Ars Technica

Group Projects 100-GW Rise in Global Nuclear Power Capacity Across Next Decade

Group Projects 100-GW Rise in Global Nuclear Power Capacity Across Next Decade

Will Laser Enrichment Be the Future of Nuclear Fuel?

Home | Substack Will Laser Enrichment Be the Future of Nuclear Fuel? The Department of Energy Has an Opportunity to Support Innovation' Team members at the Paducah Site depleted uranium hexafluoride plant use a tow motor to move a cylinder. The addition of the new equipment marks a pivotal advancement in operational safety and efficiency at the Paducah and Portsmouth project sites. By Matthew L. Wald Say “nuclear renaissance” and what comes to mind is new, advanced reactors, but radical innovation in the fuel supply chain would be crucial to a world with more nuclear power. The Department of Energy, with a mandate to “re-shore” reactor fuel production, is facing a decision about the vast store of depleted uranium, left over from decades of low-efficiency enrichment work. If the DOE is bold, it could open the door to a third-generation enrichment technology. The moment is ripe as Western companies and governments seek to replace Russia as a supplier of enriched uranium. That new technology is laser enrichment, which could be used on hundreds of thousands of tons of depleted uranium to scavenge the more fissile uranium isotope, U-235, left behind in the original enrichment process. Deploying laser enrichment technology could reduce the waste disposal burden on the Energy Department and expand critical enrichment capacity without further stressing an already bottlenecked supply of uranium hexafluoride, the chemical form of uranium used in the enrichment process. Despite extensive work since the 1980s, laser separation remains commercially unproven. And the price for a first-of-a-kind project is not clear. Any project would be high risk—far too high for most private sector investors. But, by an accident of history, it is a risk that the United States is uniquely in position to take. Share Making Up for Past Wasteful Behavior The immediate target for laser enrichment is an unusual stockpile of depleted uranium started by the Manhattan Project, continued by the Atomic Energy Commission, and now under the auspices of the DOE. This is material in which the content of uranium 235 has been reduced below the natural level of .7 percent. But the Energy Department’s stockpile has more U-235 left in it than most other stockpiles, because most of that uranium was enriched in an era before centrifuge enrichment using a more-expensive process called gaseous diffusion. In the 60s through the 90s, it was easier for the department to get the necessary quantities of enriched material by using a lot of uranium, and not being particularly thorough in plucking out the U-235. In addition, before the fall of the Soviet Union, the global market for enrichment was strong, so there was pressure to produce as much enriched material as possible, another reason that the government wasn’t very thorough. Some of the uranium “tails” have a uranium content in the range of .3 to .4 percent, meaning that the enrichment process captured only about half the available U-235. Russian and European companies did much of their enrichment work later, in a period when demand for enrichment was weaker. Thus they had spare enrichment capacity, and nothing else to use it for, because the centrifuges cannot be turned off once they are running. So Russia and Europe ran the uranium hexafluoride through their centrifuges more thoroughly, processing the same uranium through more cycles, a technique called “underfeeding,” and produced tails at .2 percent U-235 or lower, which is less attractive for re-enrichment. But as much as the change from gaseous diffusion to centrifuges was a technological leap, another may be coming. Among the six companies approved by the DOE last October in an ”umbrella contract” as eligible to supply enrichment to the government was GLE, which uses lasers. It wants to start work on Government stockpiles at a former gaseous diffusion plant in Paducah, Kentucky. The material there is already compounded with fluorine, in a form called uranium hexafluoride, which is what is needed for processing with centrifuges or lasers. Eventually, the material will have to be “de-converted,” with the fluorine separated and sold for re-use. The uranium will be combined with oxygen, becoming a form of chemically inert rust. And then it will be buried, probably in Texas. Processing it with lasers would modestly reduce the volume that must be de-converted and then buried. “We are waiting for the DOE to issue task orders that have meaningful funding behind them,” said Nima Ashkeboussi, Vice President for Government Relations and Communications at GLE. Congress has allocated $2.7 billion for the DOE to establish an enriched uranium reserve to induce producers to make the material so that it will be ready if and when advanced reactors demand it. Most of those reactors want fuel enriched to nearly 20 percent. The world of uranium enrichment is small, and the financial details are often opaque. GLE has not said what this would cost, but Ashkeboussi said that a first-of-a-kind plant was an opportunity to learn how to bring costs down. GLE already has a test module running at a GE campus in Wilmington, NC. (GE used to own the technology, but it is now owned 51 percent by Silex, an Australian concern that holds the patent, and 49 percent by Cameco, the big Canadian mining company that also owns part of Westinghouse.) Ashkeboussi said that his company has acquired 650 acres adjacent to the government’s Paducah facility, and would use 200 acres to build a plant that would raise the U-235 content back up to the natural level of .7 percent. From there the company could raise it to levels useful in a light-water reactor, or it could be sold to another enrichment company to do that work. Today’s reactors run on enrichments of around 5 percent, called Low Enriched Uranium, but advanced models are designed for High Assay Low Enriched Uranium, or HALEU, approaching 20 percent. A Market Ripe for Change If laser operation emerges as a commercial contender, it would be entering a market where the underlying economics depend on a complicated mix of history and politics. Russia has about 40 percent of the enrichment capacity globally, and since its invasion of Ukraine, western companies are scrambling to reduce dependency. Laser enrichment has a long history, thus far inconclusive. Like gaseous diffusion, invented as part of the Manhattan Project, and centrifuges, which supplanted gaseous diffusion in the 1990s, laser enrichment works by exploiting the very small difference in mass between the two natural forms of uranium, U-235 and U-238. In all three methods, uranium is compounded with fluorine, into uranium hexafluoride, or UF6. Centrifuges work by spinning a few grams of the compound, in its gaseous phase, so that it is subjected to a force hundreds of thousands of times stronger than gravity. Centrifuges spit out two streams of UF6 gas, one very slightly enriched and one very slightly depleted, but when hundreds of centrifuges are arranged in series, the final product can be enriched above 90 percent. The limit for civil uranium is 20 percent. Lasers, proponents say, do a much more thorough job in a much smaller number of passes. The laser is tuned to a frequency that differentially excites the two kinds of molecules. GLE will not describe the precise mechanism, but published sources hint that it has to do with suppressing the condensation of the molecules with U-235 so they can be separated. Lasers can work with a smaller physical footprint – and smaller capital expense—because they handle more material than a centrifuge does. And just as centrifuges made the process smaller and less energy-intensive, laser enrichment would continue both trends, although the energy improvement would be modest compared to the jump from gaseous diffusion to centrifuges, which cut the electricity requirement by more than 90 percent. The two trends make laser enrichment commercially attractive but also raise proliferation concerns. GLE got a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 2012 to build a plant that could enrich up to 8 percent, and produce 6 million separative work units, or SWU, a year. (The entire American consumption is about 15 million SWU a year.) But after Fukushima, market conditions were not favorable. Lately, though, the company has been gearing up for expansion. Adding Flexibility The industry has historically been hesitant to expand without firm contracts in hand, because the centrifuges are designed to start up and run their entire lifetimes— decades. Lasers, though, can be turned on and off. GLE is not alone in the field. TerraPower, which is building a fast reactor that will run on HALEU, signed an agreement last fall with the South African firm, ASP Isotopes,, which is developing a laser system for separating isotopes of uranium and other elements. There are other laser technologies in various stages. Moving towards lasers requires tolerance for risk. Over time, Democrats and Republicans have varied in their outlook on how much risk the government should take to advance technologies that would be of general benefit. Republicans pummeled the Democrats when Obama’s Energy Department loaned $535 million to an innovative solar company called Solyndra, and the company could not repay. Oddly, that ended up being a commercial risk as much as a technical one, because Solyndra’s product was delivered roughly on time and on budget, but was not viable because it had been overtaken by other solar technology. Trump himself displayed some risk tolerance in 2018, when he signed the law creating the Advanced Reactor Demonstration Project, which heavily subsidizes the construction of two reactors that need higher enriched fuel. More recently, though, the current Trump administration has cast doubt on the value of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (known as ARPA-E, in imitation of the better-known Defense Department version, DARPA), although the new Energy Secretary, Chris Wright, supports it. Trump also seems likely to end some work by the Energy Department’s Loan Programs Office, which has also nurtured emerging technologies. Laser enrichment is the kind of multi-application technology that in earlier years, the Energy Department liked to nurture. In addition to reactor fuel, there are medical isotopes that can be purified with that technology, and the silicon used in computer chips can also be processed using lasers. Laser enrichment could be another Solyndra. Or it could be like directional drilling, 3D seismic and supercomputing, all advanced by the Department of Energy, and all contributing to the fracking revolution. Looking for an advocate with the financial stamina to try it out, and the raw material that needs processing, the logical candidate is Uncle Sam. And the stocks of uranium hexafluoride at the department’s former enrichment sites are the logical place to start. That would recover a valuable resource, fissionable uranium, from what will eventually be waste.

Pentagon Calls For Nuclear Reactors, Microgrids To Power Military Bases – American Liberty News

Pentagon Calls For Nuclear Reactors, Microgrids To Power Military Bases – American Liberty News