Small Modular Nuclear Reactors

July 14, 2011 | 5:32 pm
David Wright
Former Contributor

              

Ed Lyman testified today to the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Energy and Water Development Subcommittee on small modular nuclear reactors:

He argued that some advocates are overstating the benefits and downplaying the potential pitfalls of small reactors.

Although some light water [small modular reactor] concepts may have desirable safety characteristics, unless they are carefully designed, licensed, deployed and inspected, [they] could pose comparable or even greater safety, security and proliferation risks than large reactors.

Ed’s full testimony is available here, and a video of the hearing is available on the committee’s website.