The Nuclear Option
For years, I have been condemning nations critical of nuclear energy. When it comes to carbon dioxide-free, but dependable electrical generation, nuclear is the remedy. In European nations, France gets almost 70% of its electrical requirements from nuclear – in fact, that country is the foremost generator of nuclear energy in the world – while Germany, at 1.4%, generates the least, not only in Europe, but out of all nations. Talks on expanding nuclear energy in the European Union (EU) has always been hindered and impeded by German leadership.
Statista displays the nuclear energy percentage of all nations here. The United States at 18.6% and Canada at 13.7% are well below several countries at 17th and 20th place, respectively. However, Canada does have a slight advantage in the percentage of hydroelectric generation. Nuclear power is expected to increase with the extensive energy requirements in creating, maintaining, and advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI).
It seems, according to the Financial Times article entitled, “Germany drops opposition to nuclear power in rapprochement with France” that nuclear power in the European Union is about to advance. EU energy policy can now start to move forward with growth in this type of energy. The problem with the EU from its formation is that it eradicates the autonomy of its member nations. Germany’s new government, led by conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz has conceded to France on advancing nuclear power.
Influential rationale in the German decision is Europe’s reliance on Russian energy, as well as feeding the Russian coffers, which that nation converts into aggressive military actions. Much of the current setbacks on nuclear power over the last few years were on the backs of Germany’s Social Democratic Party and its leader, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as well as his predecessor, Chancellor Angel Merkel
This is certainly an impediment to the radical environmental movement that disdains nuclear power. Their contempt comes not from the type of power or the evil they say it possesses, but rather the removal of carbon dioxide emissions discharged by other traditional fuels. The deficiency of CO2 makes their campaigns less effective and could diminish or prohibit much of the money they currently expect.
As always, I herald the alternative nuclear fuel thorium for worldwide use. Unlike uranium, thorium cannot be enriched to make atomic weaponry. It is not only an environmental compromise with its non-emitting CO2 functionality, but also promotes a more peaceful existence.
Idaho has an abundance of thorium in Lemhi County – the county seat is the city of Salmon. Further, the vital knowledge for nuclear reactors is in the nearby Idaho National Laboratories, operating under the United States Department of Energy. Sitting on the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources is Idaho’s Jim Risch – I have expressed my views and disappointments about thorium to him on more than one occassion
Senator Risch is also the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee – thorium, thus needs to definitely sit on his plate of endeavors.
