https://grist.org/energy/first-us-nuclear-reactor-40-years-online-georgia/
It's been a long time — and a price tag of $30 billion — but the first US nuclear reactor will go online soon in Georgia.
We need a one-design modular reactor designed by the military. I'm thinking about something that could be contained in an average-sized home. The design could be open-sourced and built by any organization able to do so. These would be a great source of redundant and distributed power generation. If I had my way, the government would create a new department, the Civilian Nuclear Corps, which would provide training and jobs to people running these reactors. The whole thing is kind of like a public works program. I think it would pay off mightily.
Well, you're in luck, that's one of the biggest things the DOE is working on right now. SMRs look great.
The reactors would still be run by the DOE no doubt, or by contractors thereof, but I like the idea of stepping away from contractors for hiring on more DOE employees directly to maintain them.
That's awesome. I didn't know that. It also seems they're considering molten salt reactors, which I'm very excited about. Look up Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors if you're curious.
Very cool! I need to do some reading on how reactors work in general I think to understand them and how they are distinct a bit better, but this is very interesting thanks for sharing :)