Why has nuclear power been a flop?

Abstract

Nuclear power has failed to deliver on its promise of providing a clean and cheap source of energy. The author attributes this failure to a confluence of factors, including overly cautious regulation, irrational fear of radiation, a lack of real competition in the market, and the industry’s own tendency to prioritize bureaucratic processes over actual testing and reliable outcomes. The article argues that the Linear No Threshold model (LNT) of radiation exposure, which forms the basis of US regulatory policy, is scientifically flawed and leads to unnecessary costs and delays in the nuclear industry. It calls for a more rational approach to radiation safety, arguing that the benefits of nuclear power outweigh the risks, particularly when compared to other energy sources such as fossil fuels. The author recommends a series of reforms, including replacing the LNT model with a more realistic model of radiation risk, dropping the ALARA standard, encouraging incident reporting, enabling testing of reactor designs, and aligning regulatory incentives with the industry. – AI-generated abstract.