First, nuclear power is, in fact, the safest form of energy available today. Numerous studies, including those from the United Nations and World Health Organization, show that nuclear energy causes fewer deaths per terawatt-hour of electricity produced than any other form of energy, including wind, solar, coal and natural gas. The reason is simple: Nuclear energy generates immense amounts of electricity with virtually no greenhouse gas emissions and very low incidence of accidents. Even with well-publicized accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima, the health impact toll from nuclear energy remains far lower than those caused by the health effects of air pollution from fossil fuels or accidents in coal mining.

Nuclear power is simply one of the cleanest, safest and most renewable energy sources available.

Bill Gates is one of the leading advocates for these modern, safer nuclear technologies. Through his company TerraPower, Gates is currently overseeing the construction of several nuclear reactors in the United States, including a high-profile advanced reactor in Wyoming. These reactors utilize innovative designs that drastically reduce the risks associated with traditional nuclear plants, while producing cleaner, more reliable energy. These new reactors have been designed with safety at their core, including the ability to shut down automatically in the event of a malfunction, making them far safer than earlier models and other forms of energy generation.

Regarding the concern raised about the nuclear testing in Utah during the 1950s and 1960s, it’s essential to understand that the situation back then was dramatically different from today’s nuclear power industry. The nuclear testing that harmed people was related to nuclear weapons development, not energy production, and occurred in an era when regulations and safety measures were minimal. There is no relationship between nuclear power in 2024 and weapons testing in the 1950s, and it is irresponsible to conflate the two. Today’s nuclear power plants are subject to rigorous safety standards, with oversight by agencies like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which enforces some of the most stringent safety protocols in the world. The advancements in reactor technology since those times are enormous.

The letter writer suggests that reducing regulations will increase the risks associated with nuclear power, but this doesn’t take into account the reality of modern nuclear development. The truth is that responsible regulations are necessary for any energy production to ensure safety and environmental stewardship, but excessive regulation can stifle innovation and make critical advancements prohibitively expensive. It’s not about eliminating safety regulations but rather refining them to enable the growth of nuclear power as a safe, affordable and renewable energy solution.

In fact, nuclear energy is the only scalable energy source capable of providing large amounts of power while reducing actual pollution in the air and water. Renewables like wind and solar are intermittent and depend heavily on weather conditions, while nuclear power provides consistent, reliable energy regardless of the time of day or weather patterns.

While regulations are essential in ensuring safety, they should not unnecessarily hinder advancements in cleaner, safer technologies like modern nuclear power. Gates and many others are investing in these technologies because they represent a real solution to our energy problems — providing a way forward that is both safe and sustainable. Utah, and the world, should embrace these advancements to ensure a clean, reliable energy future.

David Willis moved to Ogden in 2008 and has established a successful career as a real estate agent serving Ogden and the rest of Northern Utah in residential and commercial real estate.