The growth of artificial intelligence and other technologies have fueled a dramatic growth in the demand for energy across the country, The Blaze reports.
By 2030, about 8 percent of all energy will be absorbed by data centers fueling the advancing technology. This level of growth requires a detailed and reliable plan.
Some people support the use of nuclear power and some nuclear experts claim that it can be one of the major contributors to a future energy plan.
Three Mile Island is opening up again just to power Microsoft, CBS News reports. It will restart one reactor by 2028 and sell energy to fuel Microsoft’s data centers.
Georgia Institute of Technology nuclear science professor Anna Erickson, a nuclear expert, told CBS that nuclear energy is a great option, and it is a source that can meet the expanding demand for energy, particularly due to the growth of artificial intelligence.
“AI requires energy that is 24-7,” Erickson told CBS News. “And the nuclear power is one of the best sources to provide that consistent need for energy.”
As energy demand grows nationwide, Washington state does not currently have a plan to use nuclear energy. The state is working on eliminating energy sources such as natural gas and the hydro-electric power generated by the dams.
Governor Inslee (D) and the Democrats favor replacing those energy sources with wind and solar.
“That’s not going to work,” says Benton PUD Commissioner candidate Mike Massey. “Those sources are not sustainable.”
Nuclear is a great option for Washington state because the Tri-cities business community has some of the best nuclear engineers in the world and a wealth of background and experience in the nuclear industry.
“We need a plan that definitely includes nuclear,” Massey says. “Energy needs are expanding everywhere and in eastern Washington we could be faced with energy shortages. At the very least, we will be faced with rising prices. We could have blackouts.”
Massey wants to join the Benton PUD to work collaboratively with the other commissioners and leaders around the state, and even at the federal level, to address the concerns and explore better options for long term energy needs.
“I am convinced that we can do very well with nuclear energy. It won’t happen overnight, but we need to get started.”
Benton PUD cannot change the course of energy production in its capacity. It will take discussions, negotiation, and relationship building across a spectrum of people in the energy space.
“I have built relationships over the course of many years and will continue to work collaboratively,” Massey said. “I am known in this community as a hard worker and a team player. I think I have built up trust and have proven myself to be someone people can depend on. I welcome the opportunity to meet with fellow energy experts to do the best we can for Benton PUD consumers.”
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