Surging demand for electricity driven by data centers has once again turned the spotlight on nuclear power. Be very concerned about this hasty push to add more reactors to the electric grid.
Two projects to manufacture high-assay low-enriched uranium fuel have been proposed for Eastern Washington: a joint project between Framatome and TerraPower in Richland, and a partnership between the Department of Energy and General Matter at Hanford. Existing commercial reactors rely on fuel, using fuels containing no more than 5% 235U; HALEU contains up to 20% 235U and is preferred for many new reactor designs.
Union of Concerned Scientists warns of the higher risk of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism associated with HALEU. Producing weapons from HALEU requires a smaller facility and would be cheaper than using lower-enriched fuels. The World Nuclear Association recommends strict security measures be in place during the manufacture, transport, use and disposal of HALEU to ensure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Yet under the Trump administration, safety and security directives for nuclear facilities have been slashed and oversight minimized. Contractors themselves now develop and enforce security plans, opening the door to infiltration by bad actors.
New nuclear is too risky for Washington.
Kathleen M. Saul, Olympia
