Nuclear Power Can Save the Poor and the Planet | James Walker | EP 447

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with nuclear physicist and CEO of Nano Nuclear, James Walker. They discuss why nuclear power is continuously sidelined for less efficient, less safe forms of power, the change from civic — massive — reactors to truck-sized units, the refinement process of uranium, and the true environmental cost of mass poverty.

James Walker is a nuclear physicist and was the project lead and manager for constructing the new Rolls-Royce Nuclear Chemical Plant; he was the UK Subject Matter Expert for the UK Nuclear Material Recovery Capabilities and the technical project manager for constructing the UK reactor core manufacturing facilities. Walker’s professional engineering experience includes nuclear reactors, mines, submarines, chemical plants, factories, mine processing facilities, infrastructure, automotive machinery, and testing rigs. He has executive experience in several public companies, as well as acquiring and redeveloping the only fluorspar mine in the United States.

This episode was filmed on January 30th, 2024

- Chapters -

(0:00) Coming up
(0:31) Intro
(2:20) The applications of micro reactors
(9:15) Micro reactors cannot have a core meltdown
(10:49) How basic reactors work
(14:45) Why Nano Nuclear’s designs put them ahead
(19:45) Bringing a new renaissance to the U.S. nuclear industry
(21:05) Why isn’t nuclear power everywhere?
(25:03) Energy equals wealth, wealth allows for long-term thinking
(29:34) The bizarre alignments of the Green Lobby, making things worse
(33:30) Building the necessary infrastructure, hurdles, and strengths
(38:58) From the ground to the reactor, how Nano Nuclear refines fuel
(43:45) A stable supply, enriching yellow cake uranium
(45:44) Transportation of materials: problems and solutions
(50:19) Progress toward full utilization
(1:02:30) Is nuclear power safer than solar and wind?
(1:03:09) Phasic energy isn’t going to cut it
(1:06:02) We cannot eliminate the use of fossil fuels (plastic, fertilizer, etc.)
(1:07:24) Building a better grid, the price drops at scale
(1:10:49) Public relations and espionage concerns
(1:18:33) If you really care about the environment, lift people out of poverty