Suffolk Reporter

Nuclear energy has been a topic of debate in the United States and New York since the 1980s. However, it is now considered by some as a potential solution for producing green energy. Microsoft, for instance, plans to restart Three Mile Island Unit 1 to power its data centers.

On November 18, Stony Brook’s Collaborative for the Earth (C4E) hosted a presentation aimed at discussing the renewable, economic, and political aspects of nuclear energy with non-scientists. Heather Lynch, director of C4E and endowed chair for ecology and evolution at the Institute for Advanced Computational Sciences, stated that "The Collaborative for the Earth’s focus on nuclear technologies this year is extremely timely because nuclear energy is now seen by many as a key technology in fighting climate change even as society wrestles with concerns over waste storage and the risk of accidents."

The Nuclear 101 presentation covered topics such as the resurgence of nuclear power plants due to increasing power demands, especially from AI-driven data centers. Lance Snead from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences shared insights into nuclear energy based on his work with low-radioactivity materials for reactors.

Snead highlighted corporate investments in nuclear power by companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google to meet growing energy demands while considering factors like reliability, cost, and environmental impact. "We need energy; we need power," Snead noted.

Despite advancements in renewable energy in New York and elsewhere, fossil fuel consumption still surpasses renewables. Nuclear and hydroelectric power currently provide nearly half of New York's low-carbon energy needs. Snead emphasized challenges related to public perception following historical accidents like those at Three Mile Island (TMI) Unit 2 in Pennsylvania and Fukushima Daiichi reactors.

Since these incidents, there have been significant improvements in reactor design to enhance safety. Most current reactors are Generation III or IV models designed to prevent meltdowns. "You always have multiple boundaries to protect the public," Snead explained.

Nuclear energy contributes significantly to global electricity production with minimal environmental impact compared to other sources. However, issues such as nuclear waste storage remain unresolved due to political reasons.

Lynch expressed hope that discussions on nuclear energy would inspire consideration of environmental trade-offs beyond engineering disciplines: “The conversation around nuclear extends right across Stony Brook’s research enterprise.”

C4E continues its focus on nuclear energy into Spring 2025 with further events planned.

J.D. Allen contributed to this story