Curtis Roberts

27 Followers
41 Following
76 Posts
9-to-5 in #nuclear energy, used nuclear fuel (96% recycle; 4% #nuclearwaste) storage and transport, uranium fuel, #advancedreactors. Prior #renewables. #EnergyTransition ASAP requires all sources. Ecomodernist environmentalist. Let’s talk.
"Failing to explore the potential of new #nuclear energy options hinders the state’s pursuit of net zero carbon emissions." #EnergyTransition #ClimateChange
https://www.marylandmatters.org/2024/01/31/commentary-to-solve-climate-crisis-environmentalists-must-shed-aversion-to-nuclear-power/
Commentary: To solve climate crisis, environmentalists must shed aversion to nuclear power - Maryland Matters

Green groups seem stuck in the outdated perception of nuclear energy portrayed in popular culture, akin to Mr. Burns and Homer Simpson in Springfield.

Maryland Matters
The New Face of Nuclear Energy Is Miss America

The soon to be nuclear fuels engineer is trying to help the industry recapture public support

WSJ
First selection of a small modular #nuclear reactor by #DoD to power a remote facility with #electricity and heat. Clean-air #reactor could replace all of current 33-megawatt #coal / #oil plant output. Added benefit of @oklo fast reactor design: can also run on recycled used nuclear fuel. #coal2nuclear #NuclearWaste #SmallModularReactor
https://oklo.com/newsroom/news-details/2023/Oklo-Tentatively-Selected-to-Provide-Clean-and-Resilient-Power-to-Eielson-Air-Force-Base/default.aspx
Oklo Tentatively Selected to Provide Clean and Resilient Power to Eielson Air Force Base

The Defense Logistics Agency Energy, on behalf of the United States Air Force and the United States Department of Defense, has selected Oklo as the pending contractor awardee to site a micro-reactor at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska to provide clean, reliable power to the facility. Oklo will have the opportunity to design, construct, own, and operate the power plant to deliver clean, reliable electricity and steam to Eielson Air Force Base in this pioneering project under a long-term power purchase agreement. The Defense Logistics Agency Energy on behalf of the United States Air Force has issued a Notice of Intent to Award a contract to Oklo Inc. to provide power and heat at the Eielson Air Force Base as part of the Air Force's micro-reactor pilot program. This project represents a significant stride towards ensuring a clean and resilient energy supply for critical national security infrastructure. Oklo's Aurora powerhouse (Image: Gensler) This selection initiates the acquisition

Good info and #CrisisComm checklist when “Sorry” is the best response, via @axios. #SciComm
https://www.axios.com/2023/08/24/social-media-crisis-management-public-brands
Social media algorithms fuel rise in public apologies

Social media algorithms fuel negative commentary, which create a greater need for quick, clear apologies or explanations.

Axios
Two tech hub bids seek to boost Virginia’s nuclear industry 

Proposals led by the Virginia Nuclear Energy Consortium and the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance have some common goals but also some key differences.

Cardinal News
“Without those [ #nuclearenergy ] plants, the team observed an uptick in production from #coal and #gas plants, resulting in 5,200 pollution-related deaths across the country”
Good to keep a lot of #nuclear in the #cleanenergy mix. #EnergyTransition
https://news.mit.edu/2023/study-shutting-down-nuclear-power-could-increase-air-pollution-0410
Study: Shutting down nuclear power could increase air pollution

An MIT study shows that if U.S. nuclear power plants are retired, the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas to fill the energy gap could cause more than 5,000 premature deaths.

MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology
“… points to a #megatrend — ‘the disillusionment with the #political system, U.S. institutions and the two parties, which are seen as ineffectual, too political and too extreme.’" —@axios
https://www.axios.com/2023/04/17/poll-americans-independent-republican-democrat
Record number of Americans say they're politically independent

A big reason for this change is driven by younger generation.

Axios

I need your help…

NPR is leaving Twitter but they are planning to focus on Instagram

We need to tell them to join the Fediverse

Many of their journalists’ accounts, as well as their main account, haven’t been active on mastodon. Tell them how much we need them here. (In fact, they should have their own instance)

Use the link, tell NPR we are waiting for them here and spread the word far and wide:

https://help.npr.org/contact/s/

“You know what literally saved Christmas? It was the 31 #nuclear reactors in #PJM, including those in #Pennsylvania. PJM found #nuclearplants overperformed and were the difference in avoiding the lights – and heat – going out for millions.”
#NuclearPower #nuclear #Energy
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2023/04/how-nuclear-power-saved-christmas-opinion.html
How nuclear power saved Christmas | Opinion

Nearly 90-percent of the generation outages during Winter Storm Elliott were among fossil fuel power plants

pennlive
#Texas leads the nation in #CleanEnergy generation: 180,145 gigawatt-hours (#renewables + nuclear). In the Top 10 clean energy states, 6 states get most of their carbon-free electricity from #NuclearEnergy.
More info via @dangearino.
https://insideclimatenews.org/news/09032023/inside-clean-energy-texas-renewables/
One State Generates Much, Much More Renewable Energy Than Any Other—and It’s Not California - Inside Climate News

A new batch of data about the country’s electricity generation shows the increasing dominance of one state as the clean energy leader. No, it’s not California. It’s Texas. This isn’t new. Texas has produced more gigawatt-hours of electricity from renewable sources than any other state for several years running, thanks largely to wind energy. Now, […]

Inside Climate News