Schrödinger’s reactor: Excitement over SMRs is fine, but it's unproven and costly

Before Indiana rushes into the nuclear future, we ought to ask a basic question: Who carries the cost if it doesn’t work?

At a two-day summit at Purdue University last week, Indiana signaled it wants to be seen as an early leader in the SMR push. AES Indiana announced it will study whether small modular reactors could be built at its Eagle Valley and Petersburg generating sites. Indiana Energy and Natural Resources Secretary Suzanne Jaworowski reinforced the message from the stage, declaring the state “ready and willing” to deploy nuclear power. Purdue, for its part, positioned itself as a hub for nuclear research and investment. Given the nascent state of small reactor development, Indiana would quite literally be on the leading edge.

It sounds exciting. Yet enthusiasm on a stage is ver