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Should our region invest in small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) to meet rising electricity demand?

Participation

contributions · updated 6/11/2026, 11:42:36 PM

38%

of participants refined or changed their position after weighing the strongest alternative perspective.

■ Changed 6■ Refined 13■ Unchanged 31

we'd take the risk and store the waste — so we should get a real say, guaranteed jobs, and a…4
we should pilot one reactor with a hard budget cap, and the utility's shareholders should carry the overrun risk, not…4
i'm worried we'll be paying for an expensive experiment for twenty years.4
if the vendor won't accept that risk allocation, that tells you what they really think of their own cost estimates.4
affordability of energy solutions2
reliability of future energy supply1

— Affordability and Financial Risk: Concerns about cost overruns, who bears the financial risk (ratepayers vs. shareholders), the overall cost-effectiveness of SMRs compared to other options, and the impact on household energy bills.
— Energy Reliability and Firm Power: The perceived need for consistent, 24/7 power that renewables alone may not currently provide, especially during extended periods of low wind or solar availability.
— Waste Management and Long-Term Responsibility: The unresolved issue of safely storing radioactive waste for future generations and the desire for a clear, legally binding plan before proceeding with SMR deployment.
— Local Consent, Equity, and Economic Benefits: The demand for meaningful local participation, guaranteed jobs, and revenue sharing for communities hosting SMRs, recognizing they bear direct risks.
— Transparency, Evidence, and Project Governance: A strong desire for transparent processes, independent evidence, clear assumptions, and robust project management to prevent cost overruns and ensure accountability.
— Optimal Deployment Strategy and Demand Forecasting: Debate over whether to pilot a single SMR or commit to a fleet, the role of SMRs within a broader mixed energy strategy, and the reliability of long-term energy demand forecasts.

Risk Allocation and Ratepayer Protection: How can financial risks associated with SMR construction (e.g., cost overruns, delays) be equitably allocated to protect ratepayers, and what contractual mechanisms (e.g., fixed-price contracts, budget caps, shareholder risk) could achieve this?
Waste Management Solutions and Timelines: What specific, legally binding plans for long-term radioactive waste storage are feasible, and what is a realistic timeline for their implementation and regulatory approval before SMR deployment?
Balancing Energy Reliability with Cost and Climate Goals: How should the region balance the need for firm, reliable power with the imperative to achieve climate goals and maintain energy affordability, considering the evolving capabilities and costs of both SMRs and advanced renewable energy storage solutions?
Local Community Engagement and Benefit Sharing: What specific mechanisms can ensure genuine local consent, equitable distribution of economic benefits (jobs, revenue sharing), and a substantive voice for communities directly impacted by SMR siting and waste storage?

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