Description

Today's disagreement is about nuclear energy and how much it should or should not be a part of our energy grid.

We’re working through most of the major arguments for and against nuclear power – such as:

• Pragmatic concerns with nuclear energy: specifically, the cost and timing
• China’s advantages over the United States when it comes to creating nuclear power plants
• The strengths and weaknesses of renewable energy sources

The Guests

Joshua Goldstein is an emeritus professor of International Relations at American University and the co-writer of the documentary Nuclear Now with Oliver Stone. He also co-authored the book A Bright Future: How Some Countries Have Solved Climate Change and the Rest Can Follow.

Stephanie Cookeis a journalist who specializes in reporting on nuclear energy. She has previously served as the editor of Nuclear Intelligence Weeklyand is the author of In Mortal Hands: A Cautionary History of the Nuclear Age.

Show Notes

• Why nuclear energy? [02:37]
• Growing support for nuclear power [07:11]
• Reorganizing our energy grid [09:06]
• Nuclear as nonpartisan [11:02]
• History of nuclear power in the U.S. [11:27]
• How China approaches nuclear energy [14:47]
• What are the economics of building nuclear power plants? [17:34]
• Obstacles for renewables [21:45]
• Natural gas as replacement for nuclear [23:24]
• Small modular reactors [26:40]
• Downsides of wind and solar [24:54]
• Is nuclear safe? [30:44]
• Dealing with nuclear waste [36:04]
• Steelmanning [43:31]
• Hiding nuclear weapons production in nuclear energy programs [49:26]

Resources

Overview of what nuclear energy is according to the International Atomic Energy Agency if you need a primer/refresher.

If you have any insights into new possible topics or guests, please reach out to producer Greg Woodward at greg@thedisagreement.com.

Questions or comments about this episode? Email us at podcast@thedisagreement.com or find us on X and Instagram @thedisagreementhq. Subscribe to our newsletter: https://thedisagreement.substack.com/