By Alex Formuzis, Environmental Working Group
Unfazed by the termination of NuScale Power’s multimillion-dollar wasteful Utah small nuclear reactor, or SMR, project in early November, Duke Energy is pushing ahead with a plan to waste potentially even more pursuing the nonexistent technology in North Carolina.
Duke is in discussions with NuScale about a SMR project similar to the latter’s failed project with the Department of Energy and the Utah Associated Municipal Power Systems. That effort squandered roughly $600 million in taxpayer money before being abruptly scrapped, with nothing to show except unfulfilled promises.
Despite this outcome, Duke Energy remains undeterred and has committed to moving forward with a similar SMR initiative, potentially in collaboration with NuScale.
Duke claims it will begin building its first SMR as early as 2030 and get it operating by the end of 2034 – an economically risky and dangerous adventure that will undoubtedly result in substantial cost overruns and potentially higher electricity bills for the state’s residents.
“Our net-zero carbon reduction goals are made possible by extending the life of our existing nuclear fleet and adding next-generation nuclear technologies starting in the mid-2030s,” said Duke Energy in a statement to North Carolina public radio WUNC.
It’s an ill-conceived decision, given the recent, real-world misadventure in Utah that resulted in huge financial losses for NuScale and taxpayers.
