Trump considers EO to expedite nuclear power, is that even possible, or responsible?

[kyzr]

Rubbish, we invented the nuclear reactor. We build reactors for everything from power plants to nuclear subs to nuclear power systems for deep space probes. We built the power plants inside the Voyager probes launched in the late 70s that are still operating beyond our solar system far far beyond their expected lifespan.

1. You are not paying attention. The US does not have any SMRs licensed for commercial operation. Yes we have them in Navy carriers and subs, etc., but none available to power new AI data-centers. Skip down to #3 as to why we don't have any. Utilities don't have the cash to battle the greenies and anti-nuke big money folks.

Which is why we should have been building more of them 10-20 years ago, pinning the urgency on building them now.

2. You're preaching to the choir.

Of course I'm not wrong. Democrats must first and foremost appease their environmental wacko base, and they do not want nuclear plants.

3. So would you risk $1,000,000,000 or more on building a new nuke plant or SMR knowing that the next democrat admin would stop it cold, like Cuomo shuttered Indian Point on a whim?

Now there you go using sound reasoning and logic! We are talking about far leftist democrats here. Joe Biden had all of us driving EVs by 2035 by hook or crook if necessary.

4. I'm not sure that even if congress passed a law ordering ANWR and all future nuke plants kept open and free from political closure unless a new law is passed closing them, if that would eliminate risk. One other thought is that if the Mag-7 let pols know that if they interfere with their new data-centers or powerplants their opponents would receive unlimited funding.

 

[toobfreak]

The US does not have any SMRs licensed for commercial operation. Yes we have them in Navy carriers and subs, etc., but none available to power new AI data-centers.

Maybe that is one thing Trump will be looking into correcting.

So would you risk $1,000,000,000 or more on building a new nuke plant or SMR knowing that the next democrat admin would stop it cold,

No, Trump needs to get the ball rolling and Congress needs to act so that even if a Dem gets into office, they would find it difficult and unpopular to try to stop it.

My biggest concern with nuclear power are the spent fuel rods. IMO, we need a reliable way of saving them up and launching them into the Sun rather than just bury them. The Sun just eats that stuff up.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

1. You are not paying attention. The US does not have any SMRs licensed for commercial operation. Yes we have them in Navy carriers and subs, etc., but none available to power new AI data-centers. Skip down to #3 as to why we don't have any. Utilities don't have the cash to battle the greenies and anti-nuke big money folks.

2. You're preaching to the choir.

3. So would you risk $1,000,000,000 or more on building a new nuke plant or SMR knowing that the next democrat admin would stop it cold, like Cuomo shuttered Indian Point on a whim?

4. I'm not sure that even if congress passed a law ordering ANWR and all future nuke plants kept open and free from political closure unless a new law is passed closing them, if that would eliminate risk. One other thought is that if the Mag-7 let pols know that if they interfere with their new data-centers or powerplants their opponents would receive unlimited funding.

Utilities don't have the cash to battle the greenies and anti-nuke big money folks.

The government could fix that.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

Maybe that is one thing Trump will be looking into correcting.


No, Trump needs to get the ball rolling and Congress needs to act so that even if a Dem gets into office, they would find it difficult and unpopular to try to stop it.

My biggest concern with nuclear power are the spent fuel rods. IMO, we need a reliable way of saving them up and launching them into the Sun rather than just bury them. The Sun just eats that stuff up.

My biggest concern with nuclear power are the spent fuel rods.

Use up the waste in a reactor.

IMO, we need a reliable way of saving them up and launching them into the Sun rather than just bury them.

And risk a launch accident? No thanks.

Used fuel rods still have over 90% of the uranium of the new fuel rods.

 

[toobfreak]

And risk a launch accident? No thanks.

That is why I emphasized a RELIABLE way of launching them into the Sun with minimal risks.

Put another way, do not use anything built by Boeing.

 

[kyzr]

Maybe that is one thing Trump will be looking into correcting.

Trump can start the process, but it will take some time. That would be a good EO, except if the Navy designs were used that would probably be a national security issue. We don't want to publish our Navy's secret SMR design. So maybe Rolls-Royce or some other SMR vendor would submit a design?

Trump needs to get the ball rolling and Congress needs to act so that even if a Dem gets into office, they would find it difficult and unpopular to try to stop it.

We agree there, except the GOP bastards won't even vote to lock-in the DOGE recommendations. I have no faith in those AHs.

My biggest concern with nuclear power are the spent fuel rods. IMO, we need a reliable way of saving them up and launching them into the Sun rather than just bury them. The Sun just eats that stuff up.

Harry Reid stopped Yucca Mt from being a nuclear waste repository. It could be opened.

Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

The project has encountered many difficulties and was highly contested by the public, the Western Shoshone peoples, and many politicians. The project also faces strong state and regional opposition. The Government Accountability Office stated that the closure was for political, not technical or safety reasons

 

[Crepitus]

I'm generally a Trump supporter, but this is plain stupid. (if he does it)

Trump would basically be saying that 3 pregnant women can make a baby in 3-months.

Trump administration considers orders expediting nuclear plant construction, NYT reports

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is considering several executive orders to expedite the construction of nuclear power plants, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing drafts it has reviewed.

www.yahoo.com

Trump administration considers orders expediting nuclear plant construction, NYT reports​

Nuclear power is not something you want to rush. This idea isn't even half-baked.

Finding suitable sites for many more nuke plants is tough, not even counting the NIMBY lawsuits.
Permitting can take 10-years
Construction can take 10-years
Fuel and waste are major issues
Running nuclear powerplants is not easy

Can Trump wave a magic wand? Making that much high quality specialty steel to fabricate reactors and the plants is other worldly.

Possible?

Sure. they already have a huge record of doing stupid shit so this isn't gonna be hard.

Wise?

That's another question entirely.

 

[Dr. Phosphorous]

I'm generally a Trump supporter, but this is plain stupid. (if he does it)

Trump would basically be saying that 3 pregnant women can make a baby in 3-months.

Trump administration considers orders expediting nuclear plant construction, NYT reports

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is considering several executive orders to expedite the construction of nuclear power plants, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing drafts it has reviewed.

www.yahoo.com

Trump administration considers orders expediting nuclear plant construction, NYT reports​

Nuclear power is not something you want to rush. This idea isn't even half-baked.

Finding suitable sites for many more nuke plants is tough, not even counting the NIMBY lawsuits.
Permitting can take 10-years
Construction can take 10-years
Fuel and waste are major issues
Running nuclear powerplants is not easy

Can Trump wave a magic wand? Making that much high quality specialty steel to fabricate reactors and the plants is other worldly.

Better question, genius -- Is it even legal?

Like all fiscal decisions, Trump can't do this without Congress' approval.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

That is why I emphasized a RELIABLE way of launching them into the Sun with minimal risks.

Put another way, do not use anything built by Boeing.

Wasting billions to throw away perfectly good fuel.
That was a leftist idea.
Don't fall for it.

 

[toobfreak]

Wasting billions to throw away perfectly good fuel.
That was a leftist idea.
Don't fall for it.

Nah, there are viable engineering solutions.

 

[Toddsterpatriot]

Nah, there are liable engineering solutions.

Solutions to reprocess and reuse the fuel.

 

[krichton]

Well, modular nuclear is a thing. It's a good design.
It does not need to take that long. Small, modular, nuclear, compatible expansions and things.
The tech is here. Probably Trump learned about that by talking to the UK dude.
I already made my money on that when Europe got on it, but there might be another thing. Maybe.

A modular reactor would still take several years to build. For instance, China finished one in 2021, and that one took 9 years to build and this was considered a small modular reactor. In Russia, they built an SMR in 12 years. In the US we planned to build an SMR quite recently but rising costs made it completely untenable and the project was completely scrapped. This entire story is a complete nothing burger. Trump demonstrates to us why he has a 3rd grade level understanding on any subject you put forth in front of him.

 

[kyzr]

Better question, genius -- Is it even legal?
Like all fiscal decisions, Trump can't do this without Congress' approval.

I agree Trump can't toss 10CFR50, which is the law governing nuclear power.
But he could get the ball rolling if he gets the Navy to submit a few of their SMR designs for commercial use.
As long as the Navy doesn't object for security reasons. I assume those designs are highly classified.

But you are correct that it would take congress to put up funding to develop SMRs.
Would it be simpler just to license the proven Rolls-Royce design?
Or would it be better to license more big nuke plants instead of having SMRs all over the place?

 

[22lcidw]

People are forced to put up with many things. When we have disasters, the worse thing is the loss of power. Even with some destruction around us, having power is like a reassurance. We have self-important demigods playing that role and we suffer for it.