Works in Progress Podcast The nuclear renaissance
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Jan 30, 2026 Alex Chalmers, researcher and writer on energy regulation, and Ben Southwood, policy and energy commentator, dive into nuclear history and national contrasts. They explore why costs soared, France’s large-scale success, safety rules that inflated price, public fear of radiation, and whether small modular reactors or policy fixes could revive nuclear’s role.
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Historic Events Shaped Public Fear
- Alex recounts public incidents like bomb tests, Lucky Dragon, and Castle Bravo that fueled distrust and environmental concern.
- He links those events and accidents like Three Mile Island to the rise of anti-nuclear sentiment.
Costs Preceded Popular Opposition
- Ben and Alex argue public opposition often followed cost and delay problems rather than causing them.
- Once projects became slow and expensive, popular support dropped; disasters amplified existing issues rather than initiating decline.
France's Political Advantage
- France centralized decisions, kept local fiscal benefits, and built many reactors rapidly, avoiding UK-style inquiries and delays.
- Local revenue retention created strong political and popular support that insulated the program from protest.
