We are in a nuclear renaissance, whether you like it or not.
If you’re skeptical, it’s likely because you’re stuck in the fears of the past rather than embracing the promise of the future. Decades of misinformation—visions of meltdowns, toxic waste, or plants as terrorist targets—have left many wary.
As a State Representative fighting for Maine’s energy independence, I’m here to set the record straight: nuclear power is the safest, most reliable, and most affordable path to powering our state, saving Mainers money, and securing our future. The real obstacle? Misconceptions, not nuclear energy itself.
This session, I introduced three bills to bring nuclear to Maine: LD 342 to include nuclear in our Renewable Portfolio Standard, LD 343 to explore small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), and LD 601 to remove outdated referendum barriers.
The majority party killed LD 342 and LD 601 and stalled LD 343, leaving Maine stuck with sky-high electricity rates and reliance on imported energy. Meanwhile, states like New Hampshire, powered by nuclear, enjoy lower costs and a stronger grid. Nuclear could do the same for us—if we confront the myths holding us back.
Let’s tackle the four biggest lies about nuclear power head-on:
Myth 1: Nuclear waste can fuel bombs. This is simply untrue. Thorium-based molten salt reactors (MSRs) produce byproducts like uranium-233, contaminated with uranium-232, making them completely unusable for weapons, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency. SMRs can recycle existing waste to generate power, producing byproducts useless for anything but electricity, per a 2020 Oak Ridge National Laboratory report. There’s zero weapon risk—full stop.
Myth 2: Nuclear plants are terrorist targets. Modern SMRs and thorium MSRs are built with compact, fortified designs, no more vulnerable than any industrial site. Thorium MSRs use liquid fuel at low pressure, which solidifies safely if damaged, releasing no harmful radiation, per a 2024 World Nuclear Association report. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission notes no successful attacks on nuclear facilities have ever caused radiological release. These plants are as secure as our bridges or dams.
Myth 3: Nuclear waste threatens society. All U.S. nuclear waste from decades of operation would fit on a single football field, stacked just a few feet high, per the U.S. Department of Energy. SMRs can reduce this by up to 90% through recycling, and thorium MSRs produce even less, easily managed with proven methods. Waste isn’t a danger—it’s a manageable byproduct of clean energy.
Myth 4: Nuclear is unproven. Unfortunately, misinformation about nuclear power knows no political boundaries in Augusta. In fact, one legislator told the press that her opposition to the SMR bill stemmed from the belief that small modular reactors are a “nascent” technology and therefore unworthy of investment. This claim is intellectually lazy. Far from “nascent,” nuclear technology has powered U.S. Navy ships safely for over 70 years. Nuclear delivers a 90%+ capacity factor, dwarfing wind (35%) and solar (25%), which falter without consistent weather (EIA, “Electric Power Annual,” 2023). Compare that to the truly unproven renewables pushed by Governor Mills—sprawling solar farms eating farmland, wind turbines scarring our mountains, and risky offshore wind projects threatening our coasts.
What about Maine Yankee, the decommissioned nuclear plant some claim caused cancer or water contamination? These are baseless rumors, never backed by evidence. A 1990 National Cancer Institute report found no link between Maine Yankee and elevated cancer rates, and the Environmental Protection Agency has confirmed no water contamination. These fears are pure rhetoric, not reality.
Skeptics, consider this: nuclear power is the safest energy source by far. A 2010 study in The Lancet found nuclear has the lowest death rate per unit of energy produced compared to coal, oil, or even hydropower, with fatalities near zero. It’s not just safe—it’s reliable and affordable, unlike so-called renewables that tether us to a supply chain built on rare earth mining, environmental destruction, and human exploitation in some of the world’s darkest corners. Advanced SMRs and thorium MSRs eliminate security risks, minimize waste, and deliver steady, homegrown power to keep money in Mainers’ pockets.
The real barrier isn’t nuclear—it’s the misinformation poisoning public opinion. Fear, not facts, is stopping us from embracing the very technology that could lower bills, boost our economy, and secure Maine’s energy future. We’re in a nuclear renaissance, and Maine can lead or be left behind. If you’re hesitant, look at the evidence. Nuclear isn’t the problem; it’s the solution.
Maine can’t afford to wait. Contact your State Representative and Senator today. Demand they support nuclear power and reject the myths holding us back. Together, we can power Maine with clean, reliable, and affordable energy—starting now.
