Nuclear power now makes up about 25% of the generation of Georgia Power, the largest unit of Atlanta-based Southern Co.

First U.S. nuclear reactor built from scratch in decades enters commercial operation in Georgia::ATLANTA — A new reactor at a nuclear power plant in Georgia has entered commercial operation, becoming the first new American reactor built from scratch in decades.

  • Cabrio@lemmy.worldEnglish
    251·
    1 year ago

    Darn all those superfluous safety regulations. If only we could make them cheap and fast and not worry about radioactive contamination like the coal industry.

    Seriously though, start enforcing adequate regulation on the other sources of life threatening power generation and watch the costs even out.

    • ephemeral_gibbon@aussie.zoneEnglish
      111·
      1 year ago

      Coal isn’t the cheapest though. For new build power renewables + storage are. That is to say, the incremental cost of running a coal plant isn’t that massive, but cost to build + fuel one amortised over the lifetime is more than renewables + storage.

      So yes, you can enforce “adequate regulation” and nuclear will still be the most expensive.

      • Cabrio@lemmy.worldEnglish
        52·
        1 year ago

        Yes, but nuclear scales the best, requires lower geological footprint than renuables, and is safer than fossil fuels. Price is not the only metric of value.

        • ephemeral_gibbon@aussie.zoneEnglish
          1·
          1 year ago

          Oh I think we should shut down coal as soon as possible. But if energy prices can go down by having the cheaper energy production of renewables instead of up because of nuclear the transition can happen faster.