The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant, a symbol of both the promise and peril of nuclear energy, is poised for a comeback. Its owner, Constellation Energy, plans to restart the melted core reactor in 2028, fueled by a growing demand for carbon-free energy, particularly from the tech industry.

Big Tech's Influence on the Power Industry

The impetus for Constellation restarting the shuttered plant that suffered the only core meltdown in the US is a result of Microsoft's significant investment in purchasing the plant's electricity output for 20 years. As tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google expand their data centers and artificial intelligence initiatives, they require vast amounts of reliable, clean energy. Nuclear power, with its low carbon emissions and high energy density, emerges as an attractive solution, although there isn’t much conversation about the fact that there are no long-term storage facilities for high-level nuclear waste. Plus, the same technology used to make nuclear fuel for power plants can also be used to produce explosive material for nuclear weapons, which creates security concerns for power plants in an ever-dangerous world threatened by terrorists.

Regulatory Hurdles and Public Perception

While the restart of Unit 1 offers a promising prospect, it also faces challenges. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) oversees the process, ensuring safety and compliance, but the regulations have been the status quo with regard to addressing waste disposal and security. Additionally, public perception remains a significant factor. The legacy of the 1979 accident at Three Mile Island casts a long shadow, and the community's concerns must be addressed. There are tons of used solid fuel and radioactive liquid waste from nuclear energy production that sit in temporary storage containers in the US that must be addressed by policymakers. 

It takes thousands of years for radioactive waste to degrade and become harmless and we aren't addressing its safe storage over its lifecycle and there are no good solutions for what is called "Clean Energy."

The Future of Nuclear Energy

The potential of small modular reactors (SMRs) further adds to the proliferation of nuclear energy production. These advanced reactors offer greater flexibility, reduced construction costs, and enhanced internal safety features. While Constellation hasn't committed to building an SMR at Three Mile Island, the company's openness to collaboration with the tech sector suggests that the proliferation of nuclear energy is likely.

Balancing Economic Benefits and Environmental Concerns

The restart of Three Mile Island is being sold to the public based on low carbon emissions and economic benefits, including job creation and increased tax revenue. However, it's essential to weigh these advantages against the environmental and safety risks associated with nuclear power. A careful and transparent regulatory process, coupled with robust public engagement, will be crucial in ensuring that the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks.

As the global policy makers grapples with their desire to transition to "Clean Energy" sources, the restart of Three Mile Island and the growing backing of nuclear energy by Big Tech could mark a significant turning point for human history especially if we don't come up with a feasible long term storage facility for the waste. Microsoft founder Bill Gates supports lots social causes, and and other tech giants want a huge percentage of the existing energy grid capacity and more for their AI expansion plans. Constellation other nuclear plant owners, and tech companies like Microsoft need to be encouraged to take responsibility for the humanatarian and ecological fallout from nuclear waste the biproduct of nuclear energy they are pushing for. The apparent truth is that while we are lectured to about the importance of reducing our carbon footprint (in the West) nuclear is not "Clean Energy" if our best and brightest minds can't figure out how to protect ourselves from its waste.