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Nuclear power has a decidedly checkered past in the U.S. Originally promising energy “too cheap to meter” and billed as a safe, clean alternative to fossil fuels, the industry’s reputation suffered from massive cost overruns and devastating events. The partial meltdown at Three Mile Island in 1979 and the catastrophic meltdown at Chernobyl in 1986, followed by the multi-reactor meltdown at Fukushima in 2011, served as stark reminders of the technology’s inherent dangers.

Decades later, nuclear power remains one of the most expensive forms of energy. In over 30 years, only two new reactors have come online in the U.S.: Georgia’s Vogtle 3 & 4. These projects became notorious for enormous cost overruns and extensive delays, earning them the dubious distinction of being the most expensive electricity generation project per kilowatt in the country, according to Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility. Taking 15 years to build and costing $36.8 billion, their timeline and budget more than doubled.

Despite this abysmal performance, new nuclear energy is now making a comeback, somehow gaining bipartisan support with renewed promises of safety and cost-effectiveness. This push comes at a time when far less costly, renewable technologies are readily available, offering a path to clean energy that is free of the risks and staggering expenses of nuclear power.

Join HealthyPlanet’s Bob DiBenedetto for a compelling interview with longtime nuclear watchdog Paul Gunter, one of the founders of the anti-nuclear movement. Paul has the unique distinction of having witnessed both the rise and subsequent fall of the U.S. nuclear industry firsthand. He’ll share his account of nuclear energy’s early days and his role in creating the anti-nuclear movement. Gunter will reveal information that challenges the rationale behind the current push to revive this fallen industry—especially at a time when wind, solar, storage, and efficiency measures are more affordable, safer, and more effective at addressing the urgent climate crisis.

Listen in to empower yourself with this crucial information and become part of the solution that requires all of our participation