What Trump 2.0 means for nuclear energy

[@bubbajones6907]

There's no question mark around hydrogen. It was never going to happen.

[@pauldietz1325]

Hydrogen has its niches, but yes it wasn't going to happen as a vehicle fuel or a widespread replacement for natural gas. If direct electrification or use of batteries are feasible, they will be better solutions than use of hydrogen. Having said that, one of the niches is very long term (like, seasonal) energy storage for the grid. The round trip efficiency is poor, but the capex per unit of energy storage capacity is much lower than batteries. One natural gas is no longer allowed for this hydrogen (or other e-fuels derived from hydrogen) could play a significant role. This is not good news for nuclear.

[@ferkeap]

Hydrogen will fully happen in industry, just not in vehicles it has a much higher value for industry.

[@saltymonke3682]

@bubbajones6907 hydrogen will happen for synthetic fuel, ship and airplane won't use batteries

[@rexmann1984]

Tells us what these acronyms mean please. Lpo ppa wtf? I only figured out what IRA was through context.

[@aliendroneservices6621]

"A *_power purchase agreement (PPA)_* is a long-term contract between a customer and an electricity generator that sets out the terms for the purchase of electricity" (Google AI)

[@aliendroneservices6621]

6:16 12:03 12:08 "The *_Loan Programs Office (LPO)_* provides loans and loan guarantees available to help deploy innovative clean energy, advanced transportation, and Tribal energy projects in the United States. Over the past decade, LPO has closed more than $30 billion of deals across a variety of energy sectors." (US Department of Energy)

[@aliendroneservices6621]

10:00 *_"MOU stands for Memorandum of Understanding,_* which is a non-binding agreement between two or more parties that outlines the responsibilities of each party" (Google AI)

[@qjsharing2408]

But it is still good feedback. Acronyms exclude

[@scottmedwid1818]

I can see an alliances of US municipal electric and rural electric cooperatives joining together in clean power purchase agreements that would have them buy in to several Baraka style nuclear build projects around the country at existing nuclear locations. I know people at my old local municipal electric and my current rural electric cooperative support nuclear power and even advanced reactor concepts like MSR and IFR especially if the US government can clear a path towards rapid prototyping permitting of existing nuclear license applicants that are working their way through the NRC. Let's just get these new machines cooking ASAP.

[@iancormie9916]

How cheap can gas get? Wait until mantenance is deferred or stopped, and the gas system falls all apart. Gas will very quickly get a lot more expensive.

[@williamgrebenik8876]

You are discussing nuclear policy that was part of the Inflation Reduction Act. That was a tiny part of this massive bill. This is why there was resistance to the IRA: Major components: Clean Energy Investments: The IRA includes $128 billion for renewable energy and grid energy storage. This includes tax credits for solar, wind, geothermal, and other renewable energy sources2. Healthcare: The bill extends Affordable Care Act subsidies for three years, aiming to make healthcare more affordable. Corporate Tax Reforms: The IRA introduces reforms to the corporate tax code to enhance economic fairness. IRS Expansion: The bill includes a significant expansion of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), with the hiring of up to 87,000 new employees to improve customer service and ensure tax compliance. Climate Change Mitigation: The IRA aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030. Energy Security: The bill focuses on reducing consumer energy costs and increasing energy security. Tax Incentives: The IRA enhances or creates more than 20 tax incentives for clean energy and manufacturing, with bonuses for investments in communities and workers

[@dolphiner1376]

this is a podcast focusing on a hyperspecific aspect of the ira and its effect on a redeveloping industry which is currently the cleanest form of energy in the world overall its a very comprehensive bill but looking at one aspect of it at a time is very interesting

[@iladallas1834]

Thanks for putting IRA/nuclear into perspective! Looks like IRA pulled US Nuclear from the brink, so had huge impact -but most IRA energy breaks went to renewables. Not exactly the nuclear renaissance we'd like, but a clear end to the anti- nuke hysteria. Lumping nuclear in with Green must've changed many hearts + minds! If Trump focuses on fossil fuels, hopefully it will be just for lowering energy prices enough to enable investment in reactors.

[@microcolonel]

I think DOGE NRC recommendations could easily be worth more than any IRA subsidy. There should be no tax breaks... because there should not be taxes on energy production.

[@zalilcortez8917]

Ignorant libertarian who doesn't understand his policies are quite detrimental to nuclear. There already WAS red tape cut with the passing of the ADVANCE Act this year. Nuclear is unviable in the US right now economically without subsidies or loans (either the LPO or some brave bank). We don't have the trained labor force like China or supply chain. I'm a BIG nuclear lover too

[@ferkeap]

Deliousianal. Of course there are going to taxes on value items.

[@microcolonel]

What? @ferkeap

[@chapter4travels]

Throwing Inflation Induction Act money at nuclear is simply a really expensive bandaid with no staying power. It's less of a waste than VRE, but that's about it.

[@switted823]

I think the biggest value in that is democrats giving a clear signal to investors that they are pro-nuclear and won't get in the way again, like they did when they banned reprocessing or when they got the EBR-II to shut down.

[@scottmedwid1818]

US listeners, call and write your county and state representatives to keep US . Nuclear MOUs, Keep the nuclear parts of the IRA. The big change I see here is that young folks that I talk to that College age number one don't fear nuclear power as they wanted and many are excited about expanding it.

[@blaydCA]

The only thing I heard from the younger generations was tax free overtime, whilst most companies are already front loading any imports of merchandise or inputs due to proposed tariffs. Also of note: the amount of layoffs before the holidays has begun as companies "streamline" operations.

[@waywardgeologist2520]

If nuclear can’t stand on its own without the printing press it has a fundamental problem of economics.

[@chapter4travels]

@@waywardgeologist2520 Nuclear can't stand on its own with a militant, anti-nuclear regulator.

[@waywardgeologist2520]

@@chapter4travelswe can get rid of most of the regulations. It can be simplified.

[@ferkeap]

It the fracking gas that pushed nuclear out.

[@marblackCanada]

I roll my eyes every time I hear the mentions free enterprise.

[@TheDanEdwards]

Trump is an agent of chaos, so one should expect all sorts of disruptions. And with him ranting on about putting tariffs on stuff from Canada, as a Canadian you should expect much more than just nuclear energy policy chaos.

[@blaydCA]

Trump will probably offer a few beads and trinkets for the entirety of Canada. Probably a good time to pack your beaver pelts and move to Europe??

[@microcolonel]

So basically you have no idea, but are very pessimistic...

[@Vanayr]

@@microcolonelall you can do is look at the previous admin and take what he’s said on top of it. Some pessimism is fair but the sky isn’t falling either. I don’t understand the people screaming into the wind but I don’t understand the fanboys either.

[@RandoBox]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2940">49:00</a> - Sources have confirmed that that ship did not load any EUP.

[@Hazmatt3446]

Energy Nationalism? Is this the new buzz-phrase for energy independance? EVERY country should, as much as practicable, be energy independent. That is not nationalistic. That is responsible policy.

[@Nill757]

yeah, that’s the word lefties use to put stink on populism , “nationalism”, and to keep them smirking and smug.

[@microcolonel]

How is it not nationalistic? Why do positive aspects of nationalism irk people so much. 😂

[@Nill757]

@ “nationalism” label is lefty smear echoing national socialism (Nazis), pushed by globalists to shut them up, open borders. Sure sign that hack guest here is a globalist lefty throwing a “they’re crazy” at the incoming admin, ie even if they do the right thing it’s by accident and they are “my moral inferiors”.

[@willfilipski2470]

@@microcolonel Right? The CANDU design is entirely a product of Canadian Nationalism.

[@switted823]

@@willfilipski2470 True, they could had been a good boy and import enriched fuel from the approved list of countries like the US, but they said "fuck you all" and designed their own reactors that didn't need enriched fuel. This is exactly how every country should react.

[@davidwilkie9551]

The outstanding character of the predator-prey/Forever War is to not know what you don't want to know.., which is what Upton Sinclair said about the deliberate ignorance of where the money comes from, whose interest it belongs to, and why it's basically the opposite of a contribution to good government. Who is left not knowing this?

[@waywardgeologist2520]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="2572">42:52</a> import export bank, gone. DOE gone. IRA, gone. DOGE is going to cut, and the nuclear industry needs to adjust to finding their funding in the private market. Maybe Bill Gates is right in funding the construction of his reactor.

[@Yitreaux]

IRA? or IRS? Something to do nuclear power operators?

[@zolikoff]

The US needs to learn how to build $2000/kW nuclear again, and reduce the number of workers per reactor. There shouldn't be any need for subsidies.

[@PorpoiseSeeker]

His pick for Secretary of Energy< Chris Wright, is hopeful. Search out Robert Bryce's interview with Chris Wright. Bryce says he's a realist. He's on the board of Oklo. He's positioned to support advanced geothermal with fracking services. He understands the energy market. He knows that the long pole in the tent is industrial process heat. He's on the board of Oklo. Maybe the tax incentives for wind and solar will slow or stop. I thinks there is reason for optimism.

[@DavidL-ii7yn]

"Republicans have always liked nuclear... I can't account why there there has always been this conservative-coded appeal for nuclear" - because nuclear power fundamentally creates economic wealth for the nation... but also specifically makes a huge amount of money for investors.

[@piotrturek8013]

Hydrogen can survive without subsidies? Interesting.

[@thomasfsan]

Regarding Trump, at least last time, he wasn't actually able to implement a lot of policies. The entire presidency was just constant noise and drama. Perhaps Elon will push for it, but even he will likely choose his battles.

[@waywardgeologist2520]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1531">25:31</a> “hey DOGE,” the $67 billion will be cut.

[@mikejohnson9118]

Where is the money going to come from? The US can't even keep the current infrastructure going. Or support any emergencies or disasters that happen in the US.

[@Nill757]

Who is this guy, who says feels compelled to say he can’t figure out how Republicans think, but is supposed to be authoritative on what the Trump Admin us going to do?

[@waywardgeologist2520]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1668">27:48</a> it isn’t a selling point. Many Republicans believe the market should decide outcomes. China doesn’t have shale deposits like the U.S., so it is going to be drill baby drill. Nuclear is going to have to find a place market.

[@happyhome41]

Least interesting episode - suffers by comparison. Speculation - what irritates me about BBC . . .

[@PlanetFrosty]

This guy is extremely poorly ill informed on many GOP positions and dismissive. This attitude almost makes him seem like the typical nuclear idiot. He really seems clueless in the efficiency introduction into structure.

[@redfern_mike]

What does the Irish Republican Army have to do with nuclear in USA?

[@aliendroneservices6621]

"The President's *_Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)_* of 2022 makes the single largest investment in climate and energy in American history. (US Department of Energy) Whomever wrote that probably meant *_marks,_* not "makes".

[@peteseed5383]

Nuclear is a failure. Go for coal and gas.

[@aliendroneservices6621]

Good luck storing gas onsite.

[@peteseed5383]

@aliendroneservices6621 don't need to. Coal seam gas does not even need to be pumped if set up well. This is why they are so effective as spikers.

[@aliendroneservices6621]

@peteseed5383 What's a "spiker"? You mean a *_peaker?_*

[@peteseed5383]

@aliendroneservices6621 my mistake. Thanks for the correction.

[@kenvrinten3450]

Salt caverns​@@aliendroneservices6621