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Nuclear is carbon-neutral

MAY 01, 2021
Kevin A. Capps

David Kramer stated in his news item “Hydrogen-powered aircraft may be getting a lift” (Physics Today, December 2020, page 27 ) that “to be carbon-neutral, the hydrogen must be produced either with renewable energy or with natural gas equipped with carbon capture and storage.” There is one other form of power production that is carbon-neutral and viable for use: nuclear.

I am curious whether Kramer omitted nuclear power by accident or by choice. Too often nuclear power is not considered for carbon-neutral power production, even though existing and advanced nuclear power technologies are widely accepted as carbon-neutral. Any serious discussion regarding either carbon-neutral energy production or hydrogen production should include nuclear power.

More about the authors

Kevin A. Capps, (mojavetrail@gmail.com) Corona del Mar, California.

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This Content Appeared In
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Volume 74, Number 5

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