On December 2, 1942, the world’s first self-sustaining, controlled nuclear chain reaction was initiated under the stands of old Stagg Field at the University of Chicago. That makes Illinois the sort of birthplace of nuclear power.
Now, after a 40-year moratorium on building new nuclear power plants, Illinois will once again allow the construction of nuclear power generators. But it won’t be huge power-generating plants like the boiling water reactors (BWR) in Dresden and Clinton. These power generators would be small modular reactors (SMRs), a new generation of technology.
The SMRs would be able to power about 45,000 homes. But, combined into a network of SMRs, the technology could service a medium-sized city.
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the amended law on Friday after vetoing similar legislation earlier. The problem was that the language wasn’t specific enough to prevent the kind of large scale reactors that the left is afraid of.
In truth, the environmentalists aren’t pleased with the small reactors either.
Chicago Tribune:
The measure Pritzker signed Friday was the result of negotiations between lawmakers in both parties, labor…
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