As a high school junior and intern for the Oppenheimer Project, I am excited to help educate my generation on the benefits of nuclear energy and advocate for nuclear power as a solution to climate sustainability and clean energy production.
On September 25th, I joined the Oppenheimer Project team for the Nuclear Symposium at the Cornell Tech Campus on Roosevelt Island in New York City. Nuclear New York hosted the symposium, bringing together leaders from different areas of experience in nuclear energy. The “Uplifting Humanity” event served as a platform to explore nuclear energy’s transformative potential in addressing urgent climate challenges.
The symposium featured a diverse array of attendees, including energy experts, technology investors, representatives from emerging economies, environmental organizations, and students from all over the world. Panelists and speakers engaged in critical discussions about leveraging nuclear energy for a sustainable future, addressing topics such as safety, waste management, and the role of nuclear energy in combating climate change. The event began with a welcome from the organizers and opening remarks from Grace Stanke, a nuclear engineering student and winner of Miss America 2023. After that, there were several different panels with speakers, including Dr. Robert Sogbadji from Ghana’s Ministry of Energy, who addressed topics such as the future of nuclear energy. The Oppenheimer Project’s very own Charles Oppenheimer spoke about his involvement in nuclear energy, his philosophy on energy abundance, and his takeaways from the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels earlier this year. The symposium highlighted the benefits and the challenges of nuclear energy, creating a rich dialogue about the future of this powerful technology.
The Promise of Nuclear Energy
Throughout the symposium, nuclear energy was highlighted as a reliable, low-carbon power source capable of significantly contributing to a prosperous and carbon emission-free future. Key additional benefits were well articulated:
- Energy Abundance: Speakers highlighted nuclear energy’s potential to meet the rising global demand for electricity without the carbon emissions associated with fossil fuels. The concept of ‘energy abundance’ refers to the consistent and reliable supply of electricity that nuclear energy can provide, regardless of the time of day or season of the year – and to make it accessible for all people. Dr. Leonard Rodberg emphasized nuclear’s ability to provide stable, continuous power as a critical advantage, especially compared to other forms of energy, such as solar, which can only produce energy during the day.
- Climate Sustainability: With its minimal environmental footprint, nuclear power was positioned as a crucial player in combating climate change. Tea Törmänen from WePlanet highlighted nuclear’s significantly lower impact than traditional energy sources and discussed her organization’s growing influence in European countries. Amir Adnani addressed the process of uranium mining and its environmental effects. He specifically described the low-cost and minimally invasive process of In-Situ Recovery (ISR), where uranium ore is pumped from the ground using small water wells. This method produces nearly 50% of the world’s uranium today.
- Economic Empowerment: As Dr. Robert Sogbadji from the Ministry of Energy of Ghana pointed out, nuclear energy can catalyze emerging economies, alleviate energy poverty, promote stable industrial growth, and create jobs—ultimately fostering social and economic development. During the construction of the Alvin W. Vogtle Electric Generating Plant, over 9,000 jobs were created, with around 4,000 for operating the plant.
Challenges
The symposium also addressed challenges that need to be overcome for broader adoption of nuclear energy:
- Cost/Financing: A considerable barrier to nuclear expansion is the cost. Building a nuclear plant is very costly and takes a long time. Investors looking to put money to work in the nuclear space must find players with a strong track record of building out that capacity cost-effectively and timely. Once a plant is up and running, it is generally very efficient, but getting to that point is difficult.
- Community Concerns and Public Perception: Public apprehension surrounding safety and waste management was identified as a primary barrier to nuclear expansion. Scott Lathrop emphasized the importance of transparency and education in building trust with communities near nuclear facilities. Charles Oppenheimer touched upon some of the criticisms of the Vogtle Plant in Georgia, and how the mistakes made there can be used to learn from going forward. Events like this symposium and New York Climate Week aim to change public perception by showcasing the benefits and safety of nuclear power through engaging discussions.
- Nuclear Waste: Members of the “The Nuclear Fuel Cycle Panel” discussed the longstanding issue of nuclear waste and what is being done to solve it. Patrick O’Brien from Holtec talked about what his company is doing with nuclear waste and proposed future ideas for waste management.
Summary
This Nuclear Symposium 2024 was not just a conference but a call to action. As global leaders converged to discuss maximizing nuclear energy’s potential while addressing its challenges, it became clear that a thoughtful, collaborative approach is necessary. This approach, which values transparency, innovation, and community engagement, ensures everyone is part of the solution. With nuclear energy at the forefront, we could play a crucial role in the quest for a sustainable, low-carbon society.
The discussions held during this symposium reinforced the need for bold solutions to ensure the future of our planet. Nuclear energy was recognized as a vital part of that solution, paving the way for a brighter, more sustainable future for future generations, including my own. Our role is not just to learn, but to lead, a responsibility I’m proud to embrace.