The political sabotage of nuclear power
Channel: ReasonTV
Date: 2024-03-05

Abundant, emissions-free energy was once the promise of a nuclear-powered future. What happened? 

Full text and links: https://reason.com/video/2024/03/05/the-political-sabotage-of-nuclear-power/

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Once upon a time, America embraced nuclear power as the future of energy. Today it accounts for a mere 18 percent of the nation's electricity generation, while fossil fuels remain dominant at 60 percent. Why did nuclear fail to take off? 

From 1967 to 1972, the nuclear sector experienced significant growth, and 48 new nuclear plants were built. But in March 1979, a meltdown at Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, which resulted in no casualties and no lingering environmental damage, spooked the entire nation and empowered anti-nuclear activists.

Written and produced by Zach Weissmueller. Edited by Danielle Thompson. Camera by Jim Epstein and Kevin Alexander. Graphics by Adani Samat. Sound by Ian Keyser.

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