Nuclear Barbarians

Pat O’Brien, Holtec’s Director of Government Affairs and Communications, sat down with me to talk about his background in nuclear energy, Holtec’s attempts to save the Palisades plant in Michigan, its new SMR design, and more! Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Jonah Messinger wrote a thoughtful piece on cold fusion for the Breakthrough Institute. I brought him on to talk about cold fusion, science as a process vs. science as an institution, and more!Fusion Runs Hot And Cold by Jonah Messinger Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Dr. Chris Keefer of Decouple came on the pod to talk about Canadians for Nuclear Energy’s new report, The Case for CANDU: Why Ontario's Homegrown Nuclear Technology Is Its Best Option In A Time Of Rising Electricity Demand.The Report: https://www.canfornuclearenergy.org/Follow Chris on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dr_KeeferCheck Out Decouple: https://www.decouplemedia.org/ Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Collin McClelland of Digital Wildcatters joined me to talk about oil and gas, telling better energy stories, and tons more. This is some of the most fun I’ve had hosting the show—hope you guys like it!DW Website: https://digitalwildcatters.com/EQT Documentary: Collin's Twitter: https://twitter.com/fracslapCollin's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fracslapCollin's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collin-mclelland/ Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Cinematographer and documentarian Jesse Freeston joined me to talk about how he got nukepilled, his wonderful videos for Decouple Studios, the rat park, and how nuclear fits into his view of global flourishing. Check out Jesse’s videos:Inside the World’s BIGGEST Nuclear Plant (the one that got Ontario off coal)How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Nuclear Waste Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Alex Trembath, the Deputy Director of the Breakthrough Institute, joined me to talk about the deep contradictions in environmentalism, climate anxiety, the Jefferson/Hamilton divide, and much more!Some of Alex’s work.Support Breakthrough.Subscribe to my energy newsletter, Grid Brief. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Earlier this year (February), Paul Diduch invited me to speak at the Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization at CU Boulder. It was my first time ever giving such a lecture and I’m grateful to both him and the Benson Center for the opportunity.This is strictly the audio and the Q&A portion has been edited out as the questions are really difficult to hear. If you’d like to watch it and hear the Q&A, where I whiff on a couple technical questions and Alex Priou of the New Thinkery podcast asks me pointed questions about Nietzsche and nihilism, you can click here. Some have asked me to publish the written version of this. I’m going to try to get to that, but after listening to it I feel there are defects in the argument that I need to fix. So, it may take me a while to get to it. But it will happen this year.Also: this is for Substack subscribers only, as all future bonus content will be. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Noah Rettberg returns to the pod to talk to me about synthfuels derived from carbon. We also want Monster Energy to sponsor us. CALL ME MONSTER.Anyone else interested in advertising on the podcast can reach me here: [email protected] Now.Chicagoans! Get your ticket to see Nuclear Now at the Alamo Drafthouse in Wrigleyville on May 1. Say hey if you see me! Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Juan David Rojas joined me to talk about AMLO, Pemex, and Mexican energy. AMLO and Mexico’s Fourth Transformation by Juan David Rojas Follow Juan.Subscribe to my energy newsletter.Go see Nuclear Now! Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Grant Dever, one of the brightest whippersnappers in the whole Lone Star state, joined me to talk about nuclear in Texas, but then the conversation ranged all over the place with a long meditation on hope.Texas Should Continue to Lead in Nuclear Power by Grant DeverSubscribe to Grid Brief.Check out Nuclear Now! Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

My good friend and all around nuclear energy badass Paris Ortiz-Wines of Stand Up for Nuclear swung by to talk about what’s changed in the nuclear narrative and what we can and should do about it. It ended up being a far-ranging discussion about fear, hope, and how people change their minds. How can advocates amplify global shifts in the nuclear energy narrative? by Paris Ortiz-WinesCheck out my daily energy newsletter.Go see Nuclear Now! Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Alan Medsker, the one man nuclear revolution in Illinois, joined me to talk about convincing politicians in the Prairie state to protects its nuclear plants and repeal its moratorium. Read about Alan’s efforts to bring pro-nuclearism to the Episcopal Church. Subscribe to my daily energy newsletter. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Darius Mortazavi of the new chemical engineering Substack, Feedstockland, joined me to talk about the industrial chemical processes, the newsletter game, industry comms, energy realities, and more!“Visible Emissions and Invisible Problems” by Darius Mortazavi“Casino, Chemicals, and Kinetics!” by Darius MortazaviCheck out his other newsletter, The Column. Subscribe to my daily energy newsletter, Grid Brief. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Doomberg, one of the best and most popular Substackers in the world, joined me to talk about the problems besetting the so-called energy transition, political decadence, and our quantum-pilled energy future.Thar She Blows by DoombergThe Streisand Effect by DoombergSubscribe to my daily energy newsletter, Grid Brief. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Author and journalist William D. Cohan joined me to talk about his new book on the rise and fall of General Electric—Power Failure: The Rise and Fall of an American Icon. Follow William on Twitter.Check out Puck News. Subscribe to my energy newsletter, Grid Brief. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

The climate scientist Roger Pielke Jr. joined me to talk about the origins of the 1.5c warming goals, its strange origins, and the troubled relationship between science, expertise, and politics. Check out Roger’s Substack.Check out his book.Subscribe to my energy newsletter.Articles Discussed: Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Julius Krein, the editor of American Affairs, sat down to talk with me about the origins of ESG and how to fight it. Here's Julius's piece in Compact: https://www.compactmag.com/article/why-the-right-can-t-beat-esgFollow Julius on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JuliusKreinSubscribe to American Affairs: https://americanaffairsjournal.org/Check out my newsletter: https://www.gridbrief.com/ Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Dr. Chris Keefer swung by to talk about all his big moves in Canada and why the Save Pickering campaign is popping off. Check out the Save Pickering campaign: https://www.canfornuclearenergy.org/save-pickeringThe Decouple: https://www.decouplemedia.org/Follow Chris on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Dr_Keefer Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Austrian nuclear advocate Dominic Wipplinger joined me to talk about how nuclear support has changed, and what got him interested in nuclear. And he gives me an education in Austrian nuclear history. I learned a lot and I hope you do too! Here's Dominic's info: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NukerKernundEnergietechnik Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominic-wipplinger-682868234/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/55966637310/user/525989865 Nuklearia: https://nuklearia.de/ Discord: https://discord.gg/kGvXB9q Our regular meetup, at the 13th and the last Thursday of each month, 20:00 CET takes place in this channel: https://discord.gg/vF2HQZ9r Twitter: @Nuklearia Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nuklearia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nuklearia Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nuklearia/ Austrian Nuclear Society: http://www.oektg.at/ Young generation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/55966637310 Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Noah Rettberg joins me again to talk about synth fuels. This time we go into hydrogen production and a whole bunch more. I love having Noah on as I always learn a ton. Follow him on Twitter:https://twitter.com/NoahRettberg Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Phil Ord, who's been advocating for nuclear for way longer than I have, joined me to talk about how he became a "nukebro." We also talk about climate change, renewable propaganda, and how the nuclear movement has grown since Phil got into it.Note: we recorded this a week before Diablo Canyon was saved. Check out Phil's stuff:https://twitter.com/FissionPhilhttps://www.americansfornuclearenergy.org/https://twitter.com/Americans4Nukeshttps://www.facebook.com/americans.for.nuclear.energy/ Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Noah Rettberg joined me to talk about synthetic fuels. I learned a ton--and there's so much more to learn we're going to do a follow-up!Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoahRettbergSubscribe to Grid Brief: https://www.gridbrief.com/subscribe Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Nuclear advocate, UC Davis grad student, environmentalist, and barbell squatter Amelia Tiemann joined me to talk about convincing people of nuclear, the Beautiful Nuclear Report, and more!Check her out in Twitter: https://twitter.com/TiemannAmeliaSubscribe to Grid Brief: gridbrief.com/subscribe Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

My friend James Fleay, founder of Down Under Nuclear Energy (DUNE), joined me to talk about what's stopping Australia from building nuclear. We talk about the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, electricity spot market, economic complexity, human capital, Australian economic history, and more! Detailed description of how the anti-nuclear legislation was snuck in under cover of darkness in Australia: https://www.brightnewworld.org/media/2018/10/18/history-of-australias-nuclear-prohibition-5ceab Interested listeners can email DUNE at: [email protected] Subscribe to Grid Brief: https://www.gridbrief.com/subscribe Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Mark Hinaman joined me again to talk about his vision for the Fire2Fission fund, nuclear regulation, the value of human capital, what the fossil fuel and nuclear industries can do better, and more! Check out his blog: https://fire2fission.com/2022/03/19/fire2fission-a-fund/ Follow Mark on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkHinaman Subscribe to Grid Brief: https://twitter.com/GridBrief Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Dr. Chris Keefer, the host of the Decouple podcast, stopped by to update me on the incredible progress being made in Canada for nuclear energy. https://www.gridbrief.com/subscribe Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Brian Gitt was once a true Amory Lovins all-renewables believer. But then, as he spent time in the industry, things stopped adding up. We talk about his journey towards the radiant light of nuclear and what renewables advocates leave out when they make their case. Follow Brian on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianGitt Check out his website: https://briangitt.com/ Subscribe to Grid Brief: https://www.gridbrief.com/subscribe Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Mark Hinaman, who grew up in an oil and gas family and found great success in fracking, is now turning towards nuclear for a vision of the future. In this first episode in a two-parter, Mark and I dove into his background, what nuclear can learn from O&G, realistic energy transitions, and so much more. I absolutely loved talking to him and am looking forward to part 2. Check out Mark's work: https://fire2fission.com/2022/03/19/fire2fission-a-fund/ Reach him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markhinaman Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Jenifer Avellaneda is one of my favorite new Twitter follows. She's a young Nuclear Risk Analyst for Westinghouse whose been passionate about nuclear since she was a kid and who does a great job of communicating nuclear safety to the public. We had a fun chat about her background and our mutual love of nuclear. Follow Jenifer: https://twitter.com/NuclearHazelnut Subscribe to Grid Brief: https://www.gridbrief.com/subscribe Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Wiliam Davison of Crisis Group joined me to talk about GERD. It's a hugely informative episode about the hurdles developing countries face in scaling up the energy ladder. Read more about it here:Shock death intensifies dam debate: was Abiy pessimistic or realistic about GERD? https://medium.com/@wdavison10/shock-death-intensifies-dam-debate-was-abiy-pessimistic-or-realistic-about-gerd-d306a98686feNile Dam Talks: Unlocking a Dangerous Stalemate https://www.crisisgroup.org/africa/horn-africa/ethiopia/nile-dam-talks-unlocking-dangerous-stalemateSubscribe to Grid Brief. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Madi Hilly of the Campaign for a Green Nuclear Deal joined me to talk about her organization's latest report on repowering retiring coal plants with nuclear reactors. We talk about giving energy communities a chance to choose their future, preserving American industrial ability, obstacles to repowering, and much more. Read the report: https://gndcampaign.org/repowering-coal Follow Madi on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadiHilly Subscribe to Grid Brief: https://www.gridbrief.com/subscribe Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Return guest Robert Bryce joined me to talk about the NRC’s decision to rescind its license extension to Turkey Point in Florida. The conversation then turns to the dismal state of current energy policy, Biden’s State of the Union, the problem with how most people (especially those in the media) think about energy, what we can do about it, and some of my weird theories about how the internet has deeply changed our polityRead Robert’s piece on the Turkey Point situation: https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertbryce/2022/02/28/nrc-rescinds-license-extensions-creates-more-uncertainty-for-investment-in-nuclear-sector/?sh=2ff439262e55Follow Robert on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pwrhungryBuy his book: https://www.amazon.com/Question-Power-Electricity-Wealth-Nations/dp/1610397495/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QA7TJC0QTXBM&keywords=robert+bryce&qid=1646363158&sprefix=robert+bryce%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1Watch his movie: https://www.amazon.com/Juice-How-Electricity-Explains-World/dp/B088N9SBC8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2Y5ZRK58Y7TMG&keywords=the+juice%2C+documentary&qid=1646363193&sprefix=the+juice%2C+documentary%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-4 Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Princy Mthombeni from Africa4Nuclear sat down with me to talk about how she ended up becoming such an amazing advocate for nuclear, the obstacles to building nuclear in Africa, overcoming energy poverty, and more! Check out her youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQZmA_Zryw077ModGyDEKpw Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Princymthombeni Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

DJ LeClear, The Rad Guy, sits down to talk to me about working in radiation safety, how he became a nuclear advocate, how he changed his mind on climate, what it means to be an advocate, and more!Follow The Rad Guy:www.youtube.com/channel/UCNRNPA4-VzJiNVOHEmLSEAgwww.instagram.com/theradguyglows/?hl=enwww.tiktok.com/@theradguyglows?lang=entwitter.com/ThatRadGuy5www.patreon.com/join/TheRadGuy?rads-glowing-apparel.creator-spring.com/Subscribe to my newsletter to get curated energy news and analysis in your inbox: www.gridbrief.com/subscribe Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Italian nuclear advocate Luca Romano joins me to talk about the history of Italian nuclear, how he's amassed such an impressive pro-nuclear following, the great news of the EU's new green taxonomy, and more!Support Luca's work!Patreon: https://patreon.com/nicodaemonFacebook: https://facebook.com/AvvocatoAtomicoInstagram: https://instagram.com/avvocatoatomico/Twitter: https://twitter.com/AvvocatoAtomicoTwitch: https://twitch.tv/avvocatoatomicoYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeieWsvQm00yw4GzBNLzJPwTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@avvocatodellatomo?lang=en Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Isaac Orr of the Center of the American Experiment returns to talk about his latest article on MISO's potential for cold weather blackouts this winter. We dive into what's happening with solar in Minnesota, grid unreliability, coal, how wind turbines can be net consumers of energy in cold weather, phony environmental justice language, and more. Check out Isaac's article here. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Emmet chats with Edgardo Sepulveda to discuss some of the history of public power in Canada and the US in the context of trying to save the publicly-owned Pickering Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) from being shut down in 2025 in his home province of Ontario, Canada. This episode is a type of follow-up to Emmet and Edgardo’s first episode “A Brief History of the American Electricity Grid From the 1920s to Closure of Indian Point” in June 2021 (https://exhaust.fireside.fm/41). Edgardo discusses how Progressive Era organizers and politicians pushed back against private monopolies on both sides of the border and how in Ontario they succeeded by establishing in 1906 what would become for a while the largest publicly-owned integrated power system in the world. In the US the “Ontario experiment” would become a rallying cry for many reformers, including FDR that would use it as model for the NY Power Agency (NYPA) and the New Deal’s Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and Rural Electrification Administration (REA). Fast-forward, and public nuclear power accounts for more than 60% for Ontario’s electricity. But the public company has decided not to refurbish and extend the life of Pickering’s 6 reactors, accounting for a whopping 17.5% of total generation. To be replaced by what? You guessed it: increased gas generation. Check out Edgardo’s analysis of how the refurbishment of Pickering is the least-cost climate-friendly option: https://edecarb.org/analysis/ontario-ix For a historical overview of public ownership in the first 40 years of the 20th century, check out Mark Sholdice’s “The Ontario Experiment: Hydroelectricity, Public Ownership, and Transnational Progressivism, 1906-1939” https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/handle/10214/15239 If you want to find out more about the effort to Save Pickering, this is the site: http://savepickering.ca/ and here are the Twitter (@NuclearSave) and Facebook (@savepickering) Edgardo tweets at @E_R_Sepulveda. Also, check out his “Profiles in Decarbonization” site (www.edecarb.org) where he analyses the electricity price and emissions performance of 30 high-income countries over the last 50 years. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

The legendary Rod Adams (@atomicrod) of Atomic Insights and Nucleation Capital joined me to talk about his time as a Navy nuke, changes in nuclear, what advanced nuclear is all about, and more! Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Nick Touran, creator of whatisnuclear.com, joins me to talk about stewarding our nuclear past and learning from our engineering forefathers. Nick’s a great guy and I’ve learned a lot from his work. We had a fun time chatting and I encourage everyone to consult his website for valuable information about the development of nuclear energy in America. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Host of the famous Titans of Nuclear podcast and Managing Director of the Energy Impact Center, Bret Kugelmass joined me to talk about his background, the corruption of the American utility industry, nuclear deadlocks, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, regulation, and more!Check out Bret's podcast, Titans of Nuclear. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Pronuclear zoomer Aidan Swanson came on the pod to talk to me about how he got into nuclear, his research on RTOs and natural gas, the posi/doomer divide amongst his generation, and more!Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MemdeeCapital Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

King of the energy analysts Mark Nelson swings by to talk about COP 26, his visit to Ghana, the energy crisis and how it's changing minds about nuclear. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

I got to speak with Heather Hoff, an employee at Diablo Canyon and founder of Mothers for Nuclear. This one was a big deal for me—I really admire Heather and all the work that she does. We talked about how Heather came to work at Diablo, how she overcame her fears of nuclear and became one of its fiercest advocates. We also talked about the amazing march to save Diablo that took place over the weekend. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Author of Shorting the Grid and Campaigning for Clean Air, Meredith Angwin joins me to talk about electricity wholesale markets, grid resiliency, the beauty of energy, and more! Follow Meredith. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Gavin Mendel-Gleason of the Workers’ Party of Ireland joined me to talk about the absolute state of the Irish grid, how they’re facing the energy crisis, the Irish public’s feelings about nuclear, and what might be next for the country as its burgeoning data center economy makes it more and more power-hungry. Check out his Why Nuclear Power is Necessary brief for the WPI. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Dr. Chris Keefer, host of the Decouple podcast, joined me to talk about how he went from being a neo-Luddite to a full-blown nukepilled doctor of medicine and one of nuclear’s most powerful advocates. We talk about fragilizing green policies, the importance of labor for nuclear energy, why mitigation is the wrong way to think about handling climate change, and more. Check out his podcast, and follow him on Twitter. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Energy reporter Angelica Oung joins me to discuss China's energy crunch and Taiwan's energy future. I learned so much and had a great time! We discuss the trade-off and tribulations of China's command economy, what's happening with Chinese coal, how Taiwan's president basically spoke the Taiwanese renewables economy into being, and more! China Faces a Cruel and Dirty Winter, Angelica Oung, Citywire. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

I’m really excited to bring you guys this episode with my friend Robert Bryce, author, podcaster, husband, dad, and an all-around great guy.Robert and I talked about his career, watching Enron implode, how electricity shapes our lives, and why the grid is the commons. We touch on other stuff too!Check out Robert’s latest book, A Question of Power, and his documentary, The Juice: How Electricity Explains the World. Definitely check out his podcast, Power Hungry. It’s one of my staples. Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Isaac Orr, a policy analyst at the Center of the American Experiment, joined me to talk about the recent report he co-authored on what the Clean Energy Performance Program would mean for the state of Arizona. We talk about the report, the suburban mindset, the hard winter ahead, elite resentment against regular people, and more!Check out Isaac's report here.Follow him on Twitter.If you like the episode: rate, review, like, and share! Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe

Emmet introduces himself and then sits down with Paris Ortiz-Wines (https://twitter.com/ParisOrtizWines), the global organizer of Stand Up for Nuclear (https://twitter.com/StandUp4Nuclear), to talk about the international nuclear scene, Paris' background, why nuclear gives us so much hope, and more!Check our Paris's work and get involved with Stand Up! (https://standupfornuclear.org/)Sign up for the Nuclear Barbarians substack to get podcast episodes and more delivered straight to your inbox. (https://nuclearbarians.substack.com/) Get full access to Nuclear Barbarians at www.nuclearbarbarians.com/subscribe