Challenges and Costs of Quality Assurance in the Nuclear Industry

This week, Packy and Julia take a break from our regularly scheduled narrative programming to look back on the past five episodes we've published focused on nuclear fission—and address news stories, feedback, and listener questions collected through this season so far.

We cover:

• Illinois pushing back on the nuclear moratorium, Nuscale's cancelled contracts, COP 28
• Why QA makes building new nuclear so difficult, solar cost curves, and more listener feedback on episodes 1-5
• Investing in nuclear, nuclear waste recycling, how to create more political support for the AP1000, and more listener questions

Thank you to this episode’s guests: Jim Hopf, Robert Bryce, Brett Rampal, Heather Hoff, and Paris Ortiz-Wines.

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A huge thank you to our presenting sponsors for Season 1:

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For the full list of resources referenced in this show: https://ageofmiraclesss.addpotion.com/

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Timestamps:

(00:00) Nuclear news: Illinois, Nuscale, COP 28

(8:27) Nuclear-specific QA standards

(15:52) Comparing and contrasting other countries' nuclear programs

(20:55) The truth about solar

(23:50) What sectors win with nuclear?

(24:55) Investing in nuclear

(29:18) Does being "eco friendly" matter if we get energy right?

(33:24) Nuclear waste recycling

(36:03) Leading investors in nuclear

(38:19) Policy playbook to shift investments to nuclear

(41:07) Arguments for nuclear waste at dinner tables

(42:20) How to get more political support for the AP1000

(45:25) Deeper dive into developing nuclear projects

(48:46) How to get involved in nuclear

This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at erik@turpentine.co.

Credits: Nancy Xu produced this season of Age of Miracles. Audio editor: Justin Golden. Video editor: Nancy Xu. Executive producers: Amelia Salyers, Packy McCormick, and Erik Torenberg.