Lawmakers, keep moratorium on new #NuclearPowerPlants in #Illinois
The claim of benefits of small modular reactors [#SMR] are fantasies. Turning to nuclear energy will mean more #RadioactiveWaste along with other problems, and will not help our state fight #ClimateChange
By David Kraft, Oct 27, 2023
"Hoopla about the alleged 'benefits' of small modular reactors are currently fantasies, mere #NuclearIndustry marketing promises and wishful thinking because small reactors do not exist yet, and will not be available in commercially meaningful numbers until the mid-2030s, and then only if their proposed designs actually work.
"#SMNRs have been touted to strengthen local economies, provide job stability, support business and augment the tax base, thus leading to more funding for schools. Yet Illinois is already reaping all of these benefits at existing (and proposed) #RenewableEnergy facilities.
"Illinois currently provides far more jobs in #renewable energy and energy efficiency — a combined 105,591, as of 2021 — than at current #nuclear plants — 3,726 as of 2022. The non-existent small modular reactors actually call for fewer operating staff.
"Pro-nuclear advocates claim we need more nuclear to fight climate change, a claim challenged by two former Nuclear Regulatory Commission [#NRC] chairs, Gregory Jaczko and Allison Macfarlane, who have stated unequivocally that nuclear energy can’t be a silver bullet for climate change because it cannot replace other forms of power generation quickly enough to sufficiently reduce emissions.
"Other worrisome 'devils in the details' not receiving Legislature debate include: proposals to build small modular reactors without protective #containment buildings; elimination of #emergency planning zones around reactors; and exemption from financial liability in case of accidents."
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2023/10/27/23933226/illinois-moratorium-nuclear-power-plants-pritker-veto-small-reactors-renewable-david-kraft
