Rep. Monique Miller, Ted Ellis & Josiah Neeley

Advanced Nuclear Power & Florida is it possible and safe with Rep. Monique Miller, Ted Ellis & Josiah Neeley

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Could Florida lead the nation in advance nuclear power? The
answer is yes, but the raining question is if Florida will.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
I'm Bill Mick.

Speaker 1 (00:13):
Welcome to the Weekend and this edition of the Florida
Round Table. Catch our podcasts at Billmick dot com.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
Joining me this.

Speaker 1 (00:20):
Week Representative Monique Miller, who's filed a bill in the
legislature to make this advanced nuclear option available to our state.
It could be a major move for industry and for
the rest of us. But when we hear nuclear, we
think of Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and the China syndrome.
We'll answer those questions with the America First Policy Institutes
Ted Ellis. Ted will tell us what advanced nuclear actually

(00:42):
is and address the concerns that will arise. Today on
the Florida Round Table from the Florida News Network, we
take a look at advanced nuclear the state of Florida
and can it really happen?

Speaker 2 (00:55):
And should it? We're back in moments Stay with us.

Speaker 3 (01:00):
Do you have an invention idea but don't know what
to do next? Call invent help Today. We have representatives
nationwide who will explain the invent heal process step by
step over ten thousand patents have been secured through invent
Hel's patent referral services. The invent Hole Data Bank includes
thousands of companies who've agreed to review new ideas. We've
been helping inventors since nineteen eighty four. Let's help you

(01:21):
next get started today.

Speaker 4 (01:22):
Call us for free information at one eight hundred five
to five eight five four ninety seven. Again one eight
hundred five to five eight fifty four ninety seven.

Speaker 5 (01:30):
The skills needed to drive safely are the first ones
affected when you use drugs or alcohol. When you get
behind the wheel impaired, you put yourself and others on
the road at risk. Driving under the influence can result
in major consequences. A dui charge will cost you your license, fines,
and you may even face jail time. Stay aware and
never drive impaired. You only have one life. Visit FLHSMV

(01:53):
dot gov slash impaired for more information brought to you
by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and more vehicles.

Speaker 6 (02:00):
Here with Arm McPherson of the McPherson Financial Group and
Art In that initial consultation, what are you looking for?

Speaker 7 (02:05):
There may be some work to do. We may need
to look at their pensions. If they have them, we
may need to look at Social Security. You know, what's
the proper time to turn it on for their family.
Do we have a lot of IRA money that we
might need to do some rough conversion things along those lines.
Where's the money at, how are we going to have
to access it? And then how is it invested that
we can maximize the growth until retirement, but also help

(02:26):
protect that money they've been saving maybe twenty twenty five
thirty years, so that it's ready to go when they're
ready to walk out that door and say, Okay, I'm
ready to retire.

Speaker 6 (02:33):
Helping to preserve your assets while building income in retirement
with the help of Art McPherson and the team at
the McPherson Financial Group, call today for your initial no cost,
no obligation consultation. Three two one four two five eight
five five zero. That's three two one four two five
eight five five zero. We're online at artifmoneyradio dot com.
Securities offered through World Equity Group member FINRA and SIPC,

(02:55):
a registered investment advisor.

Speaker 1 (03:05):
Glad you're with us This weekend on the Florida round Table,
Bill Mick with Representative Monique Miller, Ted Ellis and Josiah
Neely also join us as we talk advanced nuclear, talking
about power to supply AI data centers and much much more.

Speaker 2 (03:20):
We'll see how far it goes.

Speaker 1 (03:22):
But Monique Miller, you folks are familiar with, she is
a state representative from my native land of Bervard County.

Speaker 2 (03:28):
Monique, you've got a bill that would.

Speaker 1 (03:30):
Allow this in Tallahassee and put it in play for
the state.

Speaker 2 (03:34):
Tell me the outline of the bill what it's trying
to do here?

Speaker 8 (03:38):
Yeah, thanks, Bill. So. House Bill fourteen sixty seven is
designed to allow Florida the opportunity to license and regulate
advanced nuclear which are the small sort of sized nuclear reactors,
not like the old fashioned stuff that people probably think of.
We do have three nuclear large nuclear reactors Florida, so

(04:00):
it's not a foreign concept of Florida. But the new
technologies have made it possible to do this in much
smaller scale and it really provides an ideal solution for
some of the energy needs that we have. Most people
don't realize that on the seventy five percent of our
electricity in Florida comes from natural gas and we do

(04:21):
not produce any of that here in the state, and
that provides that creates kind of a precarious situation for us,
because we don't really have state sovereignty until we have
the ability to make our own energy.

Speaker 1 (04:32):
And you see this bill providing that down the road,
but basically energy independence for Florida, I do.

Speaker 8 (04:39):
I think it solves two problems at once. We have
an enormous need for energy because of data centers and
high tech manufacturing that's coming back to the country, and
this would give us the opportunity to get that off
the grid and not put that on the backs of consumers.
And at the same time, it opens the door for
our new technology to be proved out by these larger

(05:00):
companies who have the money and the will to do
it until it gets to a point where it's a
predictable cost and approven technology for consumers.

Speaker 1 (05:08):
Very good, Ted Alis. You're with the America First Policy Institute.
Tell us what your role is in all of this.
Thank you very much, Bill for having me. It's a
pleasure to be on sure.

Speaker 9 (05:17):
The America First Policy Institute is a think tank in Washington,
d C. We are the intellectual vanguard of the America
First movement and building the next hundred years of the
America First Policy Agenda. We do have a chapter down
in Florida. Bob Brommell's our state director. He's great, and

(05:38):
we're here to advise on what Florida can do to
move their energy portfolio in the right direction. And so
I'm the director of our Energy Policy Initiative and very
glad to discuss with RTT Miller and you what we
can do to bring advanced nuclear into the mix in Florida.

Speaker 10 (06:00):
It's a tremendously promising technology.

Speaker 9 (06:03):
We understand nuclear power and advanced nuclear very well here
in America, and I think there's a lot that we
can be doing on the regulatory side and just on
the public education side to help make Florida a really
hospitable place for advanced nuclear.

Speaker 1 (06:19):
I'm glad you're here for that because I think that's
the biggest hurdle is public education. Let's go to Josiah
and Eally. Josiah, you're more on the technical end of this.
Tell us who you're with and what your role is here.

Speaker 11 (06:30):
Thank you, thanks for having me. I'm just sid Neli.
I'm a senior fellow and Energy policy.

Speaker 12 (06:36):
With the R.

Speaker 11 (06:36):
Street Institute.

Speaker 13 (06:37):
Which is also a think tank based out of DC,
and we're kind of we're market oriented. I'm a big
energy booster. I like all types of energy. I think
it's very important for the economy and the continued success
of the nation, and especially, as Representative Miller said, now
that we're in an era of increasing electricity demand, not

(06:59):
just for data centers of you know, the biggest projected
portion of demand growth is coming from reindustrialization, but there's
a lot of energy demand that's coming and to meet that,
you know, we need more power, and I think advanced
nuclear is a great concept for how that power could

(07:21):
be delivered in a way that is affordable for everyone
in Florida and across the nation.

Speaker 1 (07:27):
Of course, one of the key things is going to
be safety. It's got to be far safer than it
was perceived to be in the past.

Speaker 13 (07:34):
Yeah, so nuclear power has a little bit of a
i would say unfair reputation when it regards to safety,
but SMRs, the advanced nuclear is much much safer. We
can get into that more detail later if you would.

Speaker 1 (07:49):
Like, and we'll do the safety because those concerns are
what can stop legislation. We get to it this weekend.
Glad you're with us on the Florida Round Table.

Speaker 14 (07:59):
Introduce Summit Green Armor insect repellent, your go to defense
against mosquitoes, ticks, and other biting insects. Use Green Armor
to treat your clothing and outdoor gear, adding a layer
of protection to prevent unpleasant mosquito bites, and it kills
and repels ticks that can transmit disease. It's even approved
for use on dogs. Green Armour continues to kill and
repel biting insects for up to six weeks after application,

(08:21):
even after washing fight the bite. Find Green Armour at
your local garden or hardware store, or order online at
Summit Responsible Solutions dot com.

Speaker 15 (08:30):
Need to sell your house fast. Whether you're facing foreclosure,
stuck with bad tenants, or just ready for a fresh start,
house Buyer Network can help we buy homes as is
for cash, no fees, no commissions, no repairs, Get a
fair cash offer in just twenty four hours, and close
in as little as seven days. Call eight three three
four six four zero eight two seven now for your

(08:51):
free no obligation offer. That's eight three three four six
four zero eight two seven house Buyer Network Fast cash,
no hassle.

Speaker 16 (09:00):
Hello, I'm Hector Alessandro, Emmy Award winning actor, and I
want to talk to you about getting older. My body hurts,
my joints ache, and sometimes I forget.

Speaker 17 (09:12):
I forget the doing all your own scenes for a
movie isn't always the best decision, especially when you gallop
inside saddle down a countryside road on a horse named
Archiebello who seems to have only one speed high and
pulling on his reins only seems to encourage him to
go hum and faster. So, of course my body hurts
and my joints ache. But it's not because of my age.

(09:34):
It's because I'm living my life. Oh Archibello, don't let
life pass you by. Take care of your brain health.
It may just help you stay on top of your game.

Speaker 16 (09:43):
As soon as this scene wraps, I'm gonna kiss the ground.
Thank Archibello for his outstanding performance, feed him a carrot,
and visit brainhealth dot gov.

Speaker 18 (09:53):
Find out how you can make the most of your
brain as you age at brainhealth dot gov.

Speaker 1 (10:05):
Advanced Nuclear for the State of Florida. That's our topic
on the roundtable this weekend. Representative Monique Miller with us
as our ted Ellis and Josiah and Neally. They're providing
the technical overlook and expertise and help us answer some
questions as this legislation comes into play during this legislative
session in Florida, Ted Let's start with what is advanced

(10:27):
nuclear and what makes it different from what we've been
accustomed to in the past.

Speaker 10 (10:34):
That's a great question.

Speaker 9 (10:34):
So what we've been accustomed to in the past is
what we call large light water reactors, and that makes
up the backbone of the modern American nuclear fleet, which
is the largest and most energetic nuclear fleet in the
entire world.

Speaker 10 (10:48):
We have a fantastic backbone right now.

Speaker 9 (10:51):
What we're talking about with advanced nuclear is the next
generation of nuclear designs. And the term advanced nuclear is
a little bit broad, and it's a little bit vague,
and that's a really exciting thing, actually, because that reflects
the many, many possibilities of the new technical innovations in
the world of nuclear. But essentially, advanced nuclear refers to

(11:13):
new designs, new reactor designs that have inherent safety features,
that have lower waste, that do more exciting things in
terms of re using their fuel, have greater efficiency, and
have modularity in terms of the design. So this idea
that's very very exciting within the world of nuclear that

(11:35):
rather than building a bespoke plant on site, which is
how most of our existing nuclear has been built, that
you would build things in a factory at scale and
with repeatable processes. And that's designed to drive the cost
curve way down on nuclear and make nuclear much more repeatable,

(11:57):
much more affordable. And that's striment is the exciting, and
there's all kinds of advantages to having these smaller.

Speaker 10 (12:04):
Designs as well. They have different kinds of applications.

Speaker 9 (12:08):
They can be used not just to produce electricity, but
they can be used to produce heat, whether to heat
homes or what's referred to as industrial process heat, which
is the kind of high temperature steam that's needed for
manufacturing or.

Speaker 10 (12:23):
The production of concrete.

Speaker 9 (12:26):
And you know, these reactors can even be they can
be scaled down very very small. There's a five watt
reactor actually at the University of Texas of powers a
single light bulb. But they can also be much much
larger than that as well. But they can be put
on the back of a truck, they can be put
on a ship, they can be moved around to respond

(12:48):
to natural disasters or times when the power grid in
a given location is down. Just this tremendously versatile set
of new designs, and that's what advanced new.

Speaker 2 (13:00):
Well, just a side note come to mind.

Speaker 1 (13:02):
Here are there future applications then in modernizing the American
military fleet, submarines and aircraft carries and the like, improving
propulsion and power for them.

Speaker 9 (13:17):
Well, the American naval nuclear program one is just a
fantastic example of nuclear done right. So this program has
been around for many decades and they've never had a
nuclear accident. The safety record is spotless, and that's a
wonderful thing. And these reactors are actually what you refer
to as a step beyond maybe at the advanced programs

(13:39):
we're talking about now. These reactors actually use weapons grade
uranium to power their submarines and their ships, which give
them a tremendously long lifespan. For reasons that that are
probably common sense, we don't want to use weapons grade
uranium in civil and commercial nuclear reactors.

Speaker 2 (13:58):
So speak for yourself.

Speaker 9 (14:00):
Okay, yeah, I mean that's really a powerful solution to
get America on the right track weapons grade uranium and
the nuclear reactors.

Speaker 10 (14:09):
But no, in seriousness.

Speaker 9 (14:12):
We're using lower grade uranium, much lower grade uranium in
our fleet today. The concept of the advanced reactor would
use something that kind of splits the difference on the
weapons grade versus the low grade uranium that we use today.
But that does give you a tremendous, like I said,
a tremendous amount of applications that these technologies can be
used for.

Speaker 10 (14:33):
And they do give potentially a much.

Speaker 9 (14:35):
Longer lifespan for the advanced reactor as opposed to the
fuel rods that are in current large light water reactors.

Speaker 1 (14:43):
Sure, Representative Monique Miller, you wrote a column recently that
was spread across the state to multiple newspapers about your bill,
and you and I saw responses from friends of ours
who are knowledgeable people, but don't seem to be knowledgeable
about this.

Speaker 2 (15:02):
This education effort is going to be huge on this bill.

Speaker 8 (15:05):
I believe, yes, it absolutely is. I think one of
the most I was surprised, frankly that most people don't
know what advanced nuclear is. There's a thirst for it
out there. I think people are really interested in the subject.
I'm excited to see it getting a lot of press
across the country. But when you drill down into the details.
People don't really understand the safety mechanisms that are built

(15:26):
into this technology that really make this a very It's
a game changer in terms of safety and usefulness. So
I'm excited to start that education process. After I wrote
the article, it really I was surprised it got a
lot of attention. I think it was published in probably
fifteen newspapers across the state, and so there's definitely an
interest in the subject. But we do have some work

(15:48):
to do on the education front.

Speaker 1 (15:49):
Sounds that way, And on that front, let's go to
Josiah and Neally for a minute. Josiah, as we mentioned
at the open, when people hear nuclear, they think three
Mile Island, Chernobyl, and the China syndrome. What are the
concerns that are typically raised and what are the answers
for those as we consider advanced nuclear for Floord.

Speaker 11 (16:07):
Yeah, that's right.

Speaker 13 (16:08):
So I think that nuclear in top of mind are
really a handful two or three high profile incidents, you know,
the Fukushima through My Island, the Chernobyl incident. And one
thing that I think is positive about advanced nuclear technologies

(16:32):
is that in each of those historical cases, the problem
is if something starts to go wrong in an old
light water reactor, you have to actively you have to
take action in order to prevent a meltdown an overheat
of that reactor, and you have if you lose power,
if there's a problem with the sensor, that can be

(16:55):
an issue. With these advanced nuclear designs, they use passive
safety features.

Speaker 11 (17:00):
This means that if.

Speaker 13 (17:02):
Something were to go wrong, if there were to be
a loss of power or a censor, we're not operating correctly.
The safety the cooling process and the shutdown of the
reactor kicks in automatically and it does not require active
intervention by technicians or others. So this is I think

(17:23):
a key aspect about these new technologies which really render
them much much safer than.

Speaker 11 (17:33):
Old designs. And this is something that's recognized.

Speaker 13 (17:35):
By the federal regulators, by the academy all over the place.

Speaker 2 (17:40):
Like that, all right, and Jadaya.

Speaker 9 (17:42):
One thing that's very interesting about that is some people
think that the passive safety features means that, oh, there's
an electronic system and you don't need someone hitting a button. No,
it's in fact, the physics of the reactor stop the
reactor from overheating. It's physically impossible. There's literally no way
that it could happen.

Speaker 13 (18:01):
Yes, it's it's a matter of you know, in some
cases gravity or just the physical properties of the of
the coolant compounds that they're using.

Speaker 11 (18:10):
You're correct, So everyone could you know, everyone in the.

Speaker 9 (18:13):
Plant could just you know, fall keel over, unconscious and
it would not matter, and the computer systems could go
down completely, in fact, losing some of these systems are
triggered if you lose electricity, So you don't have to
it's not you don't have to worry about a computer
doing something.

Speaker 2 (18:32):
Ted.

Speaker 1 (18:32):
You mentioned fuel a little while ago. Let's talk about
those are the concerns we started hearing. What fuel is
used for this type of reactor and what makes it
better than what has been in play previously.

Speaker 10 (18:47):
So again, let's look at the large light water reactors.

Speaker 9 (18:50):
First, those use what's called low enriched uranium, and that's
a three to five percent enrichment in terms of the
fissionable part of the uranium. And the advanced reactors, most
of those designs use what's called high ass a low
enriched uranium.

Speaker 10 (19:09):
The industry refers to it as HALU, and this is.

Speaker 9 (19:12):
A much higher concentration of fissionable uranium between ten to
twenty percent usually, and so what that means is that
you have uranium that one it lasts much longer because
the concentration of usable fuel within the fuel cell is greater.
And it also means that you have some of these

(19:33):
inherent safety features that we were talking about, and it
means that it has a larger array of applications that
you can use.

Speaker 10 (19:42):
So, for example, the large light water reactors.

Speaker 9 (19:45):
Essentially all these are are giant machines that boil water
and create steam, and that's essentially the classic method of
creating power and electricity ever since the dawn of the
steam locomotive. The modern ans reactors, these are designed so
they can have many other different ways of moving things around.

(20:06):
So you might have like a molten salt reactors, so
you have salt that gets superheated and instead of circulating water,
you're circulating molten salt. And again that's just another way
that you can start to take out parts of the reactor.
You can take out the boiler, you can take out
the pressure elements, you can take out the piping, and

(20:26):
as you start to take out these different parts of
the reactor, the reactor gets very small and that allows
you want has fewer parts that you have to worry
about building and maintaining. And then it also makes these
much more transportable and much more scalable.

Speaker 10 (20:41):
It's very, very exciting.

Speaker 1 (20:43):
Another concern that we received was about cooling, and Florida
has constant drought conditions and water supply limited. Water table
is what it is, what's used to cool these systems
and how does it impact water usage here in the state.

Speaker 13 (20:59):
Yes, so that's a good question, and it's gonna the
answer is going to vary a little bit depending on
the design. Smr's most power plants are going to use
some water. SMR I mean advanced nuclear I should say
sorry for using the acronym advanced nuclear power plants. For

(21:20):
the amount of power that they produce, it's about the
same as for a coal power plant, so it's significantly
less than an old style nuclear power plant. It will
use some water. Mostly the water is for cooling, so
it's not.

Speaker 11 (21:37):
Gone. It's just warmer. But certainly, if.

Speaker 13 (21:42):
You're gonna have power, you're probably gonna need some water.

Speaker 11 (21:45):
That that is something that needs to be looked at.

Speaker 13 (21:49):
But the water requirements for advanced nuclear are significantly less
than you would be for some other types.

Speaker 1 (21:57):
About another minute left in the segment. What about way
least produced by this and volume and disposal at that.

Speaker 2 (22:04):
Point, So so go ahead, go ahead, ted.

Speaker 10 (22:09):
Thank so.

Speaker 9 (22:11):
The waste issues one that gets a lot of press.
People are very concerned about nuclear waste. There's really not
a lot of reason to be concerned about about the
nuclear waste or spent nuclear fuel, as we say. And
the first thing to realize is that when you have
spent nuclear fuel, about ninety one percent of that is
actually recoverable uranium that can be reprocessed and used again.

(22:31):
So this is a tremendously efficient form of fuel.

Speaker 2 (22:34):
We can reuse it in the same system.

Speaker 9 (22:37):
That's where it can be reprocessed and reused in the
same to some yes, and the French do a very
good job of this.

Speaker 10 (22:42):
We can learn from them.

Speaker 9 (22:43):
But also nuclear fuel can be stored very safely once
it's been used, and in fact we have a very
small amount. Actually people don't realize. It's very dense, and
all of the spent nuclear fuel over decades can be said, we'll.

Speaker 2 (22:56):
Pick it up in just a moment on the round table.

Speaker 3 (22:59):
Do you have an invention idea, but don't know what
to do next. Call invent Help today. We have representatives
nationwide who will explain the invent how process step by step.
Over ten thousand patents have been secured through invent Hel's
patent referral services. The invent hol Data Bank includes thousands
of companies who've agreed to review new ideas. We've been
helping inventors since nineteen eighty four. Let's help you next.

Speaker 11 (23:20):
Get started today.

Speaker 4 (23:22):
Call us for free information at one eight hundred five
Y five eight five four nine seven Again one eight
hundred five toy five eight fifty four ninety seven.

Speaker 19 (23:30):
Oh my gosh, you guys, this season's hottest accessory Hitchel
decades ago and has been playing of them ever since.
It's functional, it's attractive, and it's the smart choice. Life
jackets seen here on the model. Life Jackets complement any
figure and bring a certain genis aqua to the waters.

Speaker 20 (23:48):
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants to remind
you to wear your life jacket anytime you're out on
the water. Visit where it Florida dot com, Wear at
Florida Hi.

Speaker 12 (23:59):
I'm on Erckson Tata. Growing up with a brother with autism,
Sarah Krumk witness firsthand how kids with disabilities felt left
out by their peers. It's why, at the age of fifteen,
Sarah approached her cheerleading coach with an idea to include
girls with disabilities on her school's cheer team. Well. What
started out as an inclusive high school cheer team in

(24:22):
a small town in Iowa has led to what is
now known as Sparkle Effect, a thriving nonprofit with over
one hundred and eighty cheer teams across the United States,
bringing students with and without disabilities together through cheerleading. The
result more confidence, higher grades, and better school attendance for
kids with disabilities, and for those without a disability, new

(24:45):
friends and a greater empathy. Do you want to learn more,
well visit Disability campaign dot org, where we have posted
a link to the fabulous work known as the Sparkle Effect.

Speaker 10 (25:01):
We're here early before they wake up. We stay late,
we stay informed.

Speaker 3 (25:08):
We invest in the latest technology.

Speaker 16 (25:12):
We take the time to train the next generation of
doctors and nurses.

Speaker 21 (25:18):
We work together to make sure we heal their bodies
and their minds.

Speaker 22 (25:25):
We do this not because it's our job, but because
this is about our veterans' lives, this is our mission.
More than three hundred thousand of us working as one
together with families and loved ones, no matter where they
live in this country, we'll be there.

Speaker 23 (25:45):
We all come together and stand together to serve our veterans.
We stand strong, united, stand with us and caring for
our veterans.

Speaker 24 (25:58):
Imagine imagine being denied an apartment because of your religion,
or your race, or because you have children or a disability.

Speaker 10 (26:06):
It's so wrong, yes, But who has the power to
stop this?

Speaker 24 (26:12):
You do. Each of us has the power. The law
is on your side.

Speaker 25 (26:17):
It's illegal for landlords to discriminate because of race, color, religion, sex,
national origin, disability, or familial status. If you suspect that
you have experienced housing discrimination, find a complaint with HUD
immediately so we can investigate it.

Speaker 24 (26:34):
Fair housing is your right. Use it to learn more.

Speaker 25 (26:38):
Visit huddut gov slash fair housing. That's huddut gov slash
fair housing, or call one eight hundred sixty six' nine
nine seven seven seven one eight hundred six six' nine
nine seven. SEVEN seven a public service MESSAGE from hud
in partnership With A National Fair.

Speaker 24 (26:56):
Housing alliance.

Speaker 1 (27:03):
Continuing to look at advanced nuclear this weekend On the Florida.
Round table, of course if you missed anything, we've done
pick up our Podcast At bill mick. Dot com we've been,
talking space we've Been talking, florida politics and now we're
talking advanced Nuclear With Representative, Monique Miller ted Ellis and
Josiah and neely both working in think tanks in.

Speaker 2 (27:22):
The field, so again appreciate you all.

Speaker 1 (27:24):
Being, here ted we were talking about the cooling portion
of this. AND water i want to let you finish
that up before we move on to some other. Concerns, here.

Speaker 10 (27:33):
YEAH just i think you were talking.

Speaker 13 (27:34):
About that, oh WELL so i think in terms, of water,
you know, nuclear power like all sources, of power does
require some water, for cooling but it's less than some.
Other types and then just in terms of, the waste,
you know there is some waste that is produced more

(27:55):
than is necessary due to. Federal RESTRICTIONS but, i belie,
YOU know I think ted was just saying all the
nuclear waste produced In The united states throughout all of
history would fit on a single, football field, you know
if you stacked it up. Ten foot so we're not

(28:16):
talking about a lot of, material here and there's never been.

Speaker 1 (28:20):
And it does seem to be a big concern we
hear from a public that's not educated on all.

Speaker 2 (28:25):
This monique you've got.

Speaker 8 (28:27):
Something in, Mind, HERE yeah, I mean i'll tell you
this was one of the drivers for me deciding that
we needed to do something at the. State level so,
in nineties the federal government said they were going to
come and pick up all of the nuclear the spent
nuclear waste from our nuclear sites across. The country we
have three Here. In florida they have yet to, do
that so those are still being stored on site in

(28:50):
next to our nuclear plants Here. In FLORIDA so i
think we as a state will probably end up doing
a better job of that than waiting On the feds.
And so and as they, mentioned earlier some of these
new technologies can actually leverage that we may be able
to go into and use that spent fuel to fuel
our advanced nuclear plants.

Speaker 1 (29:07):
Going, forward ted we were talking about those types of
fuel water we using and what's.

Speaker 2 (29:13):
Its, source.

Speaker 9 (29:15):
So first, Of All representive miller makes a. Tremendous point
dry cask storage is how nuclear fuel is stored.

Speaker 10 (29:23):
On site it has got an. Impeccable record it's.

Speaker 9 (29:27):
Very safe these are giant steel and concrete casks that
shield passer by people around the area.

Speaker 10 (29:36):
From radiation it's.

Speaker 9 (29:37):
Tremendously safe these are rated for every kind of storm
and earthquake and plane crash that you. Could imagine they're
very tremendously safe as far as. The, fuel so one
of the things that's particularly important in the nuclear energy
world is the fuel. Supply chain and we're fortunate That
The united states has abundant reserves, of uranium but we're

(30:00):
not doing as good of a job at getting at
those reserves as we need. To be we have a
big SITE in, I, Believe schintilly virginia.

Speaker 10 (30:08):
That has very large reserves.

Speaker 9 (30:10):
Of uranium we need to, be, mining processing converting that
uranium to. Useful fuel and one of the other things
that's tremendously important is that these advanced, nuclear reactors they're
going to be using a higher enriched form of uranium
than our current fleet of large light, water reactors which

(30:31):
uses low. Enriched Uranium the Department of energy has wisely
put a lot of investment into building a supply chain
that can actually get that uranium supplied to the enormous number.
Of firms there's dozens of firms out there right now
that are investing and researching and trying to build and

(30:52):
commercialize the next generation of.

Speaker 10 (30:55):
Advanced reactors but most of these reactors are.

Speaker 9 (30:58):
Going to need a more, advanced fuel and there's many
different types, intallic fuel what's, called triso.

Speaker 10 (31:05):
Doesn't matter they're.

Speaker 9 (31:06):
Advanced fuels we don't have, good sources but we need
to be, building Them and i'm very glad That the
Department of energy has made that investment in helping these
companies source.

Speaker 1 (31:16):
That fuel and you had mentioned that these new reactors
can actually reuse fuel that they've. Already, used here it's
like recycled in the, same plant.

Speaker 9 (31:28):
That's right so some of these reactors designs are laid
out such that these more dense amounts of uranium fuel
can Self enrich so when you have the, fission process
one of the things that can happen is that the
uranium can turn. Into plutonium that's a new source of

(31:48):
fuel right there in the. Fuel cell you can also
take uranium the isotopes that are, not fissionable and you
have all these small particles bouncing around and they can
actually become enriched as.

Speaker 10 (32:00):
Well to turn back into.

Speaker 9 (32:02):
Fissionable uranium and so you can have these longer extended
life cycles on the advanced. Fuel rods and that's just
one more advantage Of The Advanced.

Speaker 2 (32:13):
Nuclear Project Representative.

Speaker 1 (32:14):
Monique miller when YOU and i first started, discussing this
one of the things that got my attention was that
there would be no taxpayer investment, in this that you'd
have Companies and josiah you mentioned this that would be
competing for creating the, best system which would produce eventually
a lower cost for all.

Speaker 13 (32:31):
Of, THIS.

Speaker 8 (32:33):
Yeah i think most people don't realize that there is
a technology logical revelation revolution going on right now in the.
Nuclear space there are dozens of companies that are looking
into this technology and they are. All sizes some are,
very small some are. Very large and most people have
believed that nuclear couldn't ever be get off the ground
without substantial subsidies from either the federal or. State governments

(32:56):
and the reality is right now you have this. Entire
industry people who need high tech manufacturing that we're bringing
back to, this country people who NEED these ai data
centers and for them a dollar today is worth a
whole lot more than the energy would be in, several
years so they are willing to make those investments. Up
front we have this unique opportunity in time to let

(33:17):
the private sector make those, early investments because until the
technologies are, proved out the first few units of any,
given small modular or microreactor is going to be more
expensive than they are later on once they understand exactly
how to, manufacture them and it's a. Repeatable process so
these companies can make those, early investments prove out, the
technology and get us to a point where those are predictable,

(33:41):
cost models and then utility companies will be able to
go in and make good decisions on behalf.

Speaker 1 (33:47):
Of, consumers josiah are there regulatory or even technological hurdles
that yet have to?

Speaker 2 (33:53):
Be overcome how are you seeing it from your?

Speaker 24 (33:55):
End, THERE.

Speaker 11 (33:56):
Well i think a big unanswered question is.

Speaker 13 (34:00):
The federal level that's traditionally been a huge bottleneck and
blocker for the deployment of. Nuclear technology we've seen a
lot of encouraging signs out of, the administration Both in
congress Through The advance act and then also with. The
administration really a sense that they want to get permitting

(34:24):
and other things happening, very.

Speaker 11 (34:26):
Quickly so that's no longer that's no longer.

Speaker 13 (34:29):
AN issue i do want to just reinforce on Something
That representative, miller said WHICH is i.

Speaker 11 (34:35):
LOVE nuclears i think nuclears are.

Speaker 13 (34:36):
GREAT technology i think a lot, of people there are
a lot of companies that really it's an appealing technology
to them because it can provide large amounts, of clean,
you know twenty four to. Seven power, but ultimately what
we want is to be able to provide power cheaply
to people to meet.

Speaker 11 (34:57):
Their needs and so we don't want want, you know
you want.

Speaker 13 (35:02):
Nuclear to succeed if it can compete and, win economically
and you want to make sure that taxpayers or especially,
rate payers if things do cost more than, it expected
they're not left on. The HOOK so i think having
those sorts, of protections, you know not just Having, saying
okay the state's gonna fund everything. Or whatever that's that

(35:25):
is a critically important part of this concept and.

Speaker 1 (35:30):
This legislation are, there Concerns and i'll throw this out
to anybody that the technology will not be as inexpensive
as they're thinking it will be down. The road or
is it just a matter of having the investment to get.

Speaker 13 (35:41):
US there, i mean the future is, always uncertain so,
you know you and in, the past, you KNOW nuclear
i think initially there was a lot of hopes, for
it and some of the early designs ended up being
more expensive and. Then anticipated, you know we've even seen
more recently plants Like in georgia that have been, over

(36:02):
budget which is not unusual for a, POWER plant i.

Speaker 11 (36:06):
Should say so that's what.

Speaker 13 (36:08):
You know some of the standardized designs and other things
are supposed to deal.

Speaker 11 (36:11):
With that but, you know the future. Is uncertain.

Speaker 13 (36:16):
It used to be natural gas was considered an inherently,
expensive fuel and then you had fracking and it became,
really cheap and, you know who knows what's going. TO
happen i think there's a lot of promise in advanced,
nuclear technology but you want to make sure that the
risk is borne, by investors by companies that are, building

(36:37):
this not by the taxpayer rate.

Speaker 2 (36:38):
Pair ted you have some, thoughts here.

Speaker 10 (36:40):
Go, Ahead yeah so one thing that's important.

Speaker 9 (36:43):
To remember we know that nuclear energy can, be Cheap
and i'm a big fan of natural gas, and coal which,
are reliable affordable sources, of energy but we know that
nuclear energy could be, cheap too because it has. Been
cheap we've operated a nuclear program In The united states for,
many decades and for a lot of, that time nuclear
was a very. Affordable option it became less and less

(37:04):
affordable as we burdened the industry with more and more
unnecessary regulation and as our nuclear.

Speaker 10 (37:13):
Workforce atrophy so as we.

Speaker 9 (37:15):
Came into, the, eighties nineties, two thousands we essentially stopped
building nuclear and so what that meant was when we
tried to, build again we didn't have any of, the
expertise we didn't have, the workers and so it was
very very expensive to redevelop that workforce and to.

Speaker 10 (37:31):
Reacquire that, know how we.

Speaker 9 (37:33):
See Abroad That south korea other places are building, nuclear
affordable we know that we.

Speaker 10 (37:40):
CAN too i.

Speaker 1 (37:41):
Love seeing those shots from Space of North And. South
korea fast. Difference there and we continue on the round
table looking at advanced nuclear and what it can Do.
For florida we explore that as we continue, in moments.

Speaker 26 (37:57):
This IS roschestaing nascar driver and your Fresh from. Florida
Farmer as america marks two hudred and, fifty years we
celebrate the traditions that have, sustained us especially the Dedication
of florida's farmers. For generations their work has been sewn
into our nation's story and cultivated, with care growing the
food we serve. Our families when you shop for locally

(38:18):
grown fruits, and vegetables look for the Fresh from. Florida
logo you know that our name is on it because
we stand. Behind it Fresh from florida trust is.

Speaker 15 (38:26):
Grown here need to sell your, House fast whether you're,
facing foreclosure stuck with, bad tenants or just ready for a,
fresh Start House buyer network. Can help we buy homes
as is, for cash, no fees, no commissions. No repairs
get a fair cash offer in just twenty four hours
and close in as little as. Seven days call eight
three three four six four zero eight two seven now

(38:48):
for your free no. Obligation offer that's eight three three
four six four zero eight. Two Seven House buyer network,
fast cash No.

Speaker 27 (38:55):
Housele Quality green specialists has, the plants products and friendly
expert advice to keep your garden healthy. And Bountiful quality
green has thousands, of, plants, trees, flowers herbs vegetables, and
more plus, high quality organic based, fertilizers products even comprehensive.
Soil testing Visit D Land's beautiful nursery and find, fertilizer
store conveniently open nine to four daily located at three

(39:18):
Thirty Five West. Michigan avenue Qualitygreenspecialists dot com top, quality
plants sustainable, gardening products friendly.

Speaker 21 (39:25):
Expert advice looking for cheap flights or, cheap tickets Call
The Low Cost Airline travel hotline now for prices so
low we can't publish. Them anywhere we'll even save you
money with cheap travel deals, on hotels, rental cars even complete.
Travel packages calls first for the absolute cheapest PRICES on
us and international airline tickets and hotel eight hundred four

(39:48):
to five two four eight, four six eight hundred four
to five two four eight. Four six that's eight hundred
four to five to two forty eight. Forty, six.

Speaker 1 (40:01):
Back as we consider advanced nuclear For the State, Of
Florida Representative, monique Miller, ted Ellis and Josiah and neally
with Us, AND monique i want to go back to
you real quickly because, federal Regulation The Nuclear, regulatory commission
would appear to be the agency in. Charge here what
does your bill do to deal with them and handle
this and advance this to where it's Possible.

Speaker 2 (40:22):
In, florida.

Speaker 8 (40:24):
Yeah so let me set the stage a. Little Bit
as Ted and josiah, alluded to regulatory overburden has really
caused a lot of our lack of investment nuclear in.
The PAST the nrc is the regulatory agency for, all things,
let's say the, standard nuclear the old, fashion nuclear and

(40:48):
that is. Their expertise as they started in on the advanced,
nuclear world they started to apply a lot of the
same regulations on that industry as they did on the.
Old industry and those two things are so different they
can't be regulated in the. Same WAY and i want
to Applaud the. Trump administration they've really demonstrated a commitment.

(41:08):
To nuclear there were three executive orders right off the
Bat when trump came into office the, second time and
he is in the process of streamlining or his administrations
in the process of streamlining some of the things THAT
the nrc for. Advanced nuclear i'm not willing to put
all my eggs in that one BASKET because i think
it's just too it's left to the whims of whoever's,

(41:29):
in office whether or not we do something with nuclear
and this is a multi year investment as a nation
and a commitment to. That technology so That's why i've
decided to team Up With senator maclain to bring This.
To florida we are taking we are asserting our right
as a state to go license and, regulate THIS and
i fully expect that that's going to be challenged in courts.

(41:50):
Quite quickly it is my hope that, it will because
once that, is settled that will give us the opportunity
to have those investors Come into florida and start moving the.

Speaker 1 (41:59):
Ball, forward well as, you've, mentioned initially this is going
to be companies with the if should this all come
to fruition having these reactors for their, own purposes WHETHER,
it's ai data centers or other. Industry applications if not,
in power there at least initially Benefits to floridians, IN
jobs i, would think and then maybe down the road

(42:21):
for the power. Grid Itself and monique will start with
you and we'll let you guys weigh in.

Speaker 24 (42:25):
On.

Speaker 8 (42:25):
THIS yeah, i mean the ONE thing i would, say is,
YOU know i represent the space Coast. Of florida we've
had a tremendous amount of investment because of the booming
space industry and high tech manufacturing is what we need the.
Most of and we really there's an entire area of
my district that doesn't have any utilities at all. Right
now it's the perfect proving ground. For This so i'm

(42:48):
just encouraged to see where this is going.

Speaker 1 (42:50):
To, go josiah let's go with you for. A minute
what do you? See, HERE yeah I.

Speaker 13 (42:55):
Mean florida is a, growing state both in terms of
population and in terms, of industry and. That's great it's
going to mean you need, more energy and so you
have to build out the resources in order to, do that,
and unfortunately just throughout, the country it's been taking longer,
and longer not just to build a, nuclear plant but

(43:16):
to build pretty, much anything and so really trying to pair,
that back, you know having permitting process that yes they,
recognize safety environmental and other sorts, of things but they
can be done in a reasonable amount of time to
meet the Needs of florida's business and, you know. Growing

(43:37):
population that's vitally important if you're going to continue to
succeed as.

Speaker 1 (43:41):
A state ted your overview of how This benefits, florida,
initially jobs we, would think as these things are brought,
into play but where else does?

Speaker 9 (43:50):
It? Go here so, number one affortable. Reliable power nuclear
is great at. Providing that but you mentioned the. JOBS
thing i think that's tremendously important. As well, my Employer
The America First, policy institute we are laser focused on
the benefits that that any policy can bring, to, communities families,
and workers and nuclear as an industry so far.

Speaker 10 (44:12):
Has been really good.

Speaker 9 (44:12):
About this the nuclear industry currently employs more than Seventy
thousand americans and well. Paying jobs and many of these
jobs are are not, you know nuclear physicists and really,
high end, you know high.

Speaker 10 (44:25):
Education jobs these are.

Speaker 9 (44:26):
Technical jobs and even the technical jobs have a median
wage of over one hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Per
year so these are the kind of jobs that you
can build a, family on and we think that's.

Speaker 10 (44:38):
Absolutely.

Speaker 2 (44:39):
Tremendous monique you have. Something there, Oh, OKAY no i
was just going.

Speaker 8 (44:45):
To, REITERATE no i was just going to reiterate what. He,
said look cheap energy is good for, all business and,
you know when you can, have affordable, plentiful energy it
lifts up every business across the across the board and
that's that's the goal for unmitted.

Speaker 2 (44:59):
In this but is there eventual application to the power? Grid?

Speaker 10 (45:03):
OVERALL absolutely i mean advanced nuclear just like.

Speaker 9 (45:08):
Its cousin, you know our current nuclear fleet can contribute
powerfully to the. Power grid and you know these energy
demands that we're talking about for, consumer electrification for artificial intelligence,
data centers these are thousands of gigawa Hours that florida
is going to need in the five ten, year horizon
and advanced nuclear is a really good way to.

Speaker 10 (45:30):
Get that you can scale.

Speaker 1 (45:31):
Our power companies behind this are the utility providers behind.

Speaker 2 (45:34):
THIS idea.

Speaker 11 (45:38):
I think it's just, go ahead.

Speaker 13 (45:40):
Go ahead i'm just, GONNA say i think it's just
an idea that, you know sometimes an idea.

Speaker 11 (45:45):
Has, a, time right and this is a time whether
it's so.

Speaker 2 (45:48):
We need to catch up. To it we talk more
in moments as we Close the florida. Round table.

Speaker 1 (45:55):
This Is bill mick my Financial advisors art McPherson at
The McPherson. Financial group preparing for retirement takes a personalized,
financial plan protecting what you've built and providing the income
you need.

Speaker 2 (46:07):
In retirement it.

Speaker 1 (46:08):
All starts when you sit down with The McPherson financial
group as you.

Speaker 20 (46:11):
Get to know.

Speaker 2 (46:12):
Each other there's.

Speaker 1 (46:13):
No cost it's a chance to set the stage and
lay out your goals and abilities and develop that strategy
for your. Retirement planning they'll work with you to build
that individual plan based on your abilities and. Your goals
and while taxes are a concern not just once, a
year but, year round their tax strategies help you solidify your.
Financial legacy it's financial planning designed around you with The McPherson.

(46:36):
Financial group call three two one four two five eighty
five fifty or go To McPherson financialgroup. Dot com securities
Offered Through World equity GROUP member Fenra, and sipik a registered.
Investment advisor it's The McPherson financial group called three two
one four two five eighty.

Speaker 3 (46:53):
Five fifty do you have an invention idea but don't
know what to? Do next Call invent. Help today we
have representatives nationwide who will explain the inventor process step.
By step over ten thousand patents have been secured Through
invent hel's patent. Referral services The invent hole databank includes
thousands of companies who've agreed to review. New ideas we've
been helping inventors since nineteen. Eighty four let's help you

(47:15):
next get.

Speaker 4 (47:16):
Started today call us for free information at one eight
hundred five to five eight five four. Ninety seven again
one eight hundred five to five eight fifty four.

Speaker 5 (47:23):
Ninety seven the skills needed to drive safely are the
first ones affected when you use drugs. Or alcohol when
you get behind the, wheel impaired you put yourself and
others on the road. At risk driving under the influence
can result in. MAJOR consequences a dui charge will cost you, your,
license fines and you may even face. Jail time stay
aware and never. Drive impaired you only have. One life

(47:45):
visit flhsmv dot gov slash impaired for more information brought
to you By The florida Department Of highway safety and.

Speaker 24 (47:52):
More vehicles.

Speaker 10 (47:54):
Shortness, of bread patients confused tap one? Oh two just had?

Speaker 27 (47:57):
An infection what's?

Speaker 12 (47:58):
Coming on it's becoming.

Speaker 15 (48:00):
Antibiotics started, bed ready let's.

Speaker 28 (48:02):
Move in infections could lead to a deadly chain reaction
in your body called cepsis. Very quickly cepsis could cause,
tissue damage, organ failure and. Even death if you know
the risks can spot the symptoms and, act fast then
you can get ahead. Of sepsis learn MORE at cdc
dot go.

Speaker 2 (48:21):
Slash sepsis my, MUSCLES ached i was tired all.

Speaker 11 (48:25):
The time my son had a full blown.

Speaker 13 (48:27):
Asthma attack it came out.

Speaker 2 (48:29):
Of nowhere the unsettling thing about some SYMPTOMS is i.

Speaker 13 (48:32):
Had a fever and these.

Speaker 24 (48:33):
Terrible headaches you don't always know what's. Causing them it
was line disease from. A tippike i had zecavirus from.

Speaker 22 (48:40):
A mosquito you had a reaction.

Speaker 17 (48:42):
To cockroachrillergans threats to your health can come from.

Speaker 2 (48:46):
Unexpected places get. The facts visit pestoral. DOT org a
public service message From The National Pest. Management association.

Speaker 1 (48:57):
Closing up our discussion on advanced Nuke for Florida With Representative,
Monique Miller, Ted ellison Josiah. And neally one of, The
things monique that you mentioned to me initially was the land.

Speaker 24 (49:08):
Use.

Speaker 1 (49:09):
Requirements here traditional nuclear takes a lot, of space and
apparently this advanced nuclear. Does, Not ted let's let you
give us the lay of the land, on that so.

Speaker 10 (49:18):
To, speak well that's a really.

Speaker 9 (49:21):
Important point, you know traditional nuclear does take up some amount.
Of land, advanced nuclear the smaller modular and, microreactor designs
they take a much. Less land they're. Tremendously EFFICIENT but
i think what's even more exciting, is that, you know
nuclear as it is is already a very land efficient source.
Of energy these, solar farms as they're called the, solar

(49:42):
installations these are incredibly sparse in terms of the amount
of energy they generate, per acre and, you know they
have this tremendous inefficiency of being. Weather dependent and so
there are intermittent. Energy sources they don't show up when you.
Need them they show up when they feel like. Showing
up nuclear always, shows up and it shows up in a.
Small footprint and the promise of these advanced designs is

(50:07):
that they can do the exact, same thing but on
an even, smaller footprint and you can chain, them together
so you can have larger sets of modular reactors that
are chained together to produce even.

Speaker 10 (50:18):
More power but it's, very flexible.

Speaker 1 (50:20):
Which again makes it viable for the grid down. The
road that, Sounds. Reasonable josiah it's almost to me like
the sixth man in a, basketball game who's going to
come in and provide the spark for the team and
all of a sudden he becomes.

Speaker 2 (50:33):
A starter is that a realistic look? At, this yeah it.

Speaker 11 (50:36):
Could be and, You, KNOW florida, i know is very natural.

Speaker 13 (50:40):
GAS heavy i like natural gas as, a fuel but
it's good to have a diversity of fuel types and
they can compliment. Each OTHER and i think the best
way Forward for florida is, to allow, you know all
the different energy types to compete and show their metal in.
The MARKET and, i think, you know creating an avenue

(51:02):
for nuclear to.

Speaker 11 (51:02):
Do that is going to be if it's. Done right
so there's protection for the.

Speaker 13 (51:06):
Rate payers, you know it's going to be Advantage for,
florida Citizens for, florida businesses and for.

Speaker 1 (51:15):
The, country really competition breeds excellence. And success at, Some,
point monique what needs to happen to bring this about
in the State.

Speaker 2 (51:24):
Of, florida.

Speaker 8 (51:26):
So as, you know we've just begun the two point
twenty sixth. Legislative session we just completed. WEEK two i
Expect That house bill fourteen sixty one will be up
in the next week or two and that will start
the process to getting this across. The Line stan McLean
has it In, the senate and as soon as this,
IS done i think the next step is we're going

(51:47):
to see it. Being contested but we are redefining what
clean energy is and we are opening the door to
a free market to get better and more stable costing Energy.
In florida are?

Speaker 1 (51:59):
You concerned so this is safe and a reasonable move
for the State.

Speaker 2 (52:02):
Of florida i'm, one.

Speaker 8 (52:04):
Percent, and frankly it's the. Only option despite Being the.
Sunshine state, you know we've invested a lot. In solar
it is not a great solution. For us we just
aren't a perfect environment. For solar so very true, when
wind we've gotten rid of wind because it was not.

Speaker 1 (52:17):
Effective either ted safe and sure solution for the state in,
YOUR eyes i.

Speaker 9 (52:23):
Think so we've had decades and decades of experience and
understanding how to operate nuclear power Safely.

Speaker 10 (52:30):
In america this is a well.

Speaker 9 (52:32):
Understaid concept we're just going now the next step to
make nuclear power even safer with these.

Speaker 1 (52:37):
Advanced designs, Sounds Good joe siah will give you the
final word safe and reasonable to, Do, here yeah it's.

Speaker 11 (52:43):
Absolutely safe the passive safety features and.

Speaker 13 (52:46):
Other things that we talked, ABOUT before i think are
very encouraging and, you know it's an exciting DESIGN and
i think it should be allowed to compete and there's
a lot of promise for.

Speaker 2 (52:57):
The state thank you all for the education.

Speaker 1 (52:59):
This weekend Represent The, monique Miller ted Ellis and Josiah
and Eely and i'll see the rest of you next
weekend On The florida roundtable right here On The Florida news.
Network again podcasts will be Found At bill mick.

Speaker 2 (53:10):
Dot com we'll talk to.

Speaker 24 (53:12):
You soon.

Speaker 18 (53:15):
You've been listening To The florida Roundtable With bill may
on news and public affairs presentation Of The Florida. News
network the views and opinions expressed during this programmer those
of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of, this, station,
management owners. Or sponsors for questions, or Concerns Contact florida

(53:36):
roundtable at fnnonline.

Speaker 2 (53:38):
Dot net