Yes. The commission needs further time to explore the potential of advanced nuclear reactors which are currently working their way through the regulatory process and on track to be built in Idaho in the mid 2020s. These reactors could greatly reduce the mining intensity of Minnesota's decarbonization plan, as well as provide a very speedy way to cut carbon, as history has shown.
Renewable options with battery storage cannot meet our growing electricity needs in time to stop devastating climate change. Nuclear power can. Existing state laws fail to define nuclear power and presumably relate to just the light water reactors currently in Minnesota. Next generation technologies being developed and built elsewhere can recycle the spent fuel from light water reactors, a better alternative than long term storage. Safe small modular reactors can be used at existing natural gas and coal generation sites, eliminating the need for new major transmission lines. The PUC should order the EQB to prepare a generic Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate electrical generation options for Minnesota and to expedite deployment.
Lyle Salmela almost 5 years ago
Yes, along with incentives for Small Modular Reactors (SMR's)
Eric Meyer over 4 years ago
Yes. The commission needs further time to explore the potential of advanced nuclear reactors which are currently working their way through the regulatory process and on track to be built in Idaho in the mid 2020s. These reactors could greatly reduce the mining intensity of Minnesota's decarbonization plan, as well as provide a very speedy way to cut carbon, as history has shown.
Allen Frechette over 4 years ago
Renewable options with battery storage cannot meet our growing electricity needs in time to stop devastating climate change. Nuclear power can. Existing state laws fail to define nuclear power and presumably relate to just the light water reactors currently in Minnesota. Next generation technologies being developed and built elsewhere can recycle the spent fuel from light water reactors, a better alternative than long term storage. Safe small modular reactors can be used at existing natural gas and coal generation sites, eliminating the need for new major transmission lines. The PUC should order the EQB to prepare a generic Environmental Impact Statement to evaluate electrical generation options for Minnesota and to expedite deployment.