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I really hope 4th gen succeeds since in high-population areas without much land for wind/solar it's badly needed. However the fact it's taking so long suggests there are serious challenges. For example, there is the neat idea of a fail-safe freeze-plug to stop a damaged molten salt reactor - but what happens next? The corrosive nuclear fuel needs to be safely contained for a long time or safely removed for re-processing.

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It's taking long because it's absolutely taboo to even discuss these topics. We're suffering a series heat wave in California, power shutdowns loom, and we're asked to turn down the AC and don't use appliances. Sacramento voted to close a nuclear power plant not that long ago.

And the same people that complain about the power outages vote against the only reliable, carbon-free energy source we have now.

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