Nuclear energy is again at the forefront of the energy discusssion, and not only in political circles. Sure, the legislators in Georgia are mighty proud of the potential investment dollars and jobs that would come to their state if the proposed federal loan backing goes through. But doesn’t an expansion of nuclear power facilities, without a concrete plan for waste handling, seem like putting the cart before the horse? Again?

Maybe not.

Nuclear is getting some much needed positive PR these days, and from some unlikely sources. Normally one to concentrate on world health issues in developing countries, Bill Gates and his mega-billion dollar foundation have turned their attention to the climate change issue, and see nuclear power development as critical to our energy future. “We need energy miracles,” Gates said at the recent TED 2010 conference. “And there are some innovations in nuclear.” He goes on to speak of the burning of depleted urnanium (the common waste product we’ve all been nervous about), and how one plant in Kentucky has enough to supply the country’s energy needs for two centuries. No, that’s not a typo. (the TED video is quite good – a must see)

And he’s putting his money where his mouth is. Gates also recently announced a major investment in new nuclear technologies, promising just by the sheer gravity of his persona and dollar value, to draft numerous other investors into the fold.

So while some may still be nervous about the expansion of nuclear energy plants in this country, it may be that the spectre of nuclear accidents prove to be more mythology than reality. Nuclear, along with renewables and carbon sequestration (if they can ever get that to work right), is part of the solution. New nuclear technologies, a decade or so down the road, will likely be burning the waste created by today’s plants, in a fantastic form of recycling. This is one writer, and former skeptic,  who’s certainly interested in learning more.

Tags: nuclear energy, pollution, saving energy