Going nuclear is not a realistic nearterm goal

Re: “Small modular reactors could solve carbon problem,” Feb. 12 commentary

Congratulations to Krista Kafer on finally accepting we are in a carbon emissions climate degrading crisis. Her recent opinion piece supports pie- in- the- sky solution studies like Small Modular Nuclear Reactors ( SMRS).

SMRS are not cost- competitive with proven clean energy technology like wind, solar, and storage, and never will be.

SMRS do generate a significant amount of nuclear waste, a matter the United States still has not been able to address well.

SMRS are “stackable.” They can conceivably grow in size and capacity by cavalierly adding units — more humming isotopes, more SMR crates, more humming sub- stations everywhere, more waste, and more uranium mining.

SMRS will clearly lead to more uranium mining. From where? Russia, Kazakhstan, Canada, Australia, Nambia, Niger, Bear’s Ears National Monument, and everywhere else in the Colorado Plateau? The carbon footprint and environmental impacts of that vast industry are knowingly alarming.

SMRS are not flexible on/ off switching options and are hoggish water sucks.

Say “no” to SMR studies and “yes” to what we know works well, is relatively harmless, and so very affordable. Let’s get going! — Nat Miullo, Denver

I am optimistic that Small Modular Reactors ( SMRS) will live up to their promise of safe, clean, cheap, and reliable power. However, that promise is yet to be realized. The reality of the situation is that it will be a minimum of six years before the first SMR from Nuscale comes online, and many doubts remain about whether it can overcome the cost and schedule challenges that conventional nuclear power has struggled with.

Alternatively, wind, solar photovoltaic, and battery storage are proven technologies that already exist at scale and can be built today. They are almost always cheaper to build new than to continue operating existing coal plants, even after factoring in storage costs to maintain reliability. And no matter how you slice it, coal is the king of environmental destruction from the mine to the smokestack. Despite this, coal is still the largest single source of electricity in this state.

Colorado should absolutely study how to adopt SMRS, but this can’t delay action to displace coal power with renewables today.

— Samuel Sprotte, Littleton