Opinion: Michigan should expand nuclear energy. It's clean, safe and reliable.
When it comes to energy generation, we all want the same thing: safe, clean and reliable electricity that keeps our monthly energy costs down. Fortunately for Michiganders, we have nuclear energy plants throughout our state keeping the lights on for millions of small businesses and homes.
Nuclear power is deeply connected with the Great Lakes region. Enrico Fermi built the very first nuclear reactor only a mile from Lake Michigan in Chicago. Across Lake Huron, the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, one of the largest nuclear power plants in the world, continues to provide Canada with enough energy to power 5 million homes, as it has for the past several decades.
Many have no idea that Michigan is a Top 10 state for nuclear energy production. Fermi 2 nuclear power plant near Monroe, D.C. Cook in Bridgman, and currently offline Palisades in Covert Township have operated safely and provided emission-free energy for decades. Although most of Michigan’s electricity is generated from fossil fuels, nuclear energy generates approximately 30% of Michigan’s total energy and the overwhelming majority of our carbon-free energy.
It is worth noting, too, that Michigan’s nuclear power plants have operated for over 50 years with no major safety incidents. The extremely high safety standards of our nuclear plant operators combined with our geologically stable land make our state an excellent location to operate nuclear power plants.
Nuclear power is safe, reliable and clean.
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Every year, Michigan lawmakers, utilities, and energy regulators grapple with creating and maintaining an energy system that keeps prices affordable and keeps energy flowing 24/7/365. If too many coal and natural gas plants close down too quickly, our state runs the risk of rolling brownouts and sky-high energy prices. Europe is an example of how not to put together a long-term energy management plan. Germany become critically dependent on Russian natural gas and oil as part of their transition to renewable energy and away from fossil fuels and nuclear.
Now that Russia has shut off supply, German energy prices have spiked and coal plants have reopened to keep up with energy demand.
If we want to avoid that same fate, nuclear power should be part of the solution.
During the past two decades, nuclear technology has advanced dramatically, regarding both safety and efficiency.
As technology improved, innovation flourished, including reactors that cannot melt down even if all power or control is lost. Right now, Small Modular Reactors are the future of nuclear power generation; our global competitors China and Russia are both investing massively in those reactors.
There is no reason Michigan can’t be a leader in this new technology. Nuclear energy is here to stay, and we should embrace this power source as a way to support our state’s clean-energy future.
In fact, we are already making important progress.
Last year, the Legislature voted to study the feasibility of nuclear energy in Michigan. That study, in House Bill 6019, was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and illustrates a major bipartisan step forward, but there is more to be done.
The Palisades Nuclear Power Plant used to produce enough electricity to power over half a million homes in Michigan, yet it currently sits idle. The state should work with the Department of Energy to determine investment opportunities to get Palisades back online. We also support further expansion of Fermi’s energy generation ability.
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Investment in Palisades and Fermi will lead to many more years of safe, clean, and reliable energy while supporting job growth and economic competitiveness here in Michigan.
The state should also ensure its regulatory framework is “nuclear energy friendly” for future investments. Just as importantly, Michigan should aim to be a destination state for highly paid and educated workers in the industry, including nuclear physicists, engineers, and manufacturers. The University of Michigan is home to one of the top nuclear engineering programs in the world. Let’s keep that talent in Michigan.
Existing nuclear power plants are currently our most reliable, safest and only source of carbon-free baseload energy. Just look to Winter Storm Elliot, which hit our state just before Christmas. During that storm, the entire Midwest grid was stressed because of high energy demand. But nuclear power plants from Michigan to Tennessee remained online and at full power ― generating the megawatts to stabilize the grid and save the holiday.
Recent innovations in nuclear reactor designs promise ever safer, more affordable clean energy for the future. If properly utilized, nuclear power is a solution for Michigan’s energy future and can significantly lower the energy bills of Michigan residents. We urge support and investment now from lawmakers and stakeholders.
State Rep. Graham Filler, R-Clinton County, represents the 93rd House District, which spans portions of Clinton, Gratiot, Ionia, Montcalm, and Saginaw counties. State Rep. Samantha Steckloff, D-Farmington Hills, represents the 19th House District, which comprises the communities of Farmington Hills, Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Southfield, Bloomfield Township, Bingham Farms, Franklin and Southfield Township.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Opinion: Michigan should expand clean, safe reliable nuclear energy
