Nuclear Power Can Save the Poor and the Planet | James Walker | EP 447

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson sits down with nuclear physicist and CEO of Nano Nuclear, James Walker. They discuss why nuclear power is continuously sidelined for less efficient, less safe forms of power, the change from civic — massive — reactors to truck-sized units, the refinement process of uranium, and the true environmental cost of mass poverty.

James Walker is a nuclear physicist and was the project lead and manager for constructing the new Rolls-Royce Nuclear Chemical Plant; he was the UK Subject Matter Expert for the UK Nuclear Material Recovery Capabilities and the technical project manager for constructing the UK reactor core manufacturing facilities. Walker’s professional engineering experience includes nuclear reactors, mines, submarines, chemical plants, factories, mine processing facilities, infrastructure, automotive machinery, and testing rigs. He has executive experience in several public companies, as well as acquiring and redeveloping the only fluorspar mine in the United States.

This episode was filmed on January 30th, 2024

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(0:00) Coming up
(0:31) Intro
(2:20) The applications of micro reactors
(9:15) Micro reactors cannot have a core meltdown
(10:49) How basic reactors work
(14:45) Why Nano Nuclear’s designs put them ahead
(19:45) Bringing a new renaissance to the U.S. nuclear industry
(21:05) Why isn’t nuclear power everywhere?
(25:03) Energy equals wealth, wealth allows for long-term thinking
(29:34) The bizarre alignments of the Green Lobby, making things worse
(33:30) Building the necessary infrastructure, hurdles, and strengths
(38:58) From the ground to the reactor, how Nano Nuclear refines fuel
(43:45) A stable supply, enriching yellow cake uranium
(45:44) Transportation of materials: problems and solutions
(50:19) Progress toward full utilization
(1:02:30) Is nuclear power safer than solar and wind?
(1:03:09) Phasic energy isn’t going to cut it
(1:06:02) We cannot eliminate the use of fossil fuels (plastic, fertilizer, etc.)
(1:07:24) Building a better grid, the price drops at scale
(1:10:49) Public relations and espionage concerns
(1:18:33) If you really care about the environment, lift people out of poverty

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[TheEngineeringHub]

As a PhD Engineer myself I love these technical conversations on the JBP podcast. What makes me a bit disappointed is that it gets a low view count. Kudos to Dr. Peterson for shining light on these extremely important topics!

[youlig]

As a German it's so frustrating having a government that does everything in it's power to f*ck up in every area of politics. But it's especially bad with energy and climate policies.
It's just unbelievable how stupid our policies have been over the last 30 years. Shutting off the last nuclear facilities during the energy crisis caused by the Ukraine war has been the icing on the cake.
And our citizens are paying the price...

[zoltanrudolf]

The mass media has done a very good job of confounding nuclear power with nuclear weapons. The two are totally different. Nuclear power is very safe. Australia needs it!

[IvayloIvanov-zr]

Brilliant conversation! We've used nuclear fission for energy production for 70! years, yet we rely on inferior methods because of politics and corruption.

[michaelscalzo]

Absolutely phenomenal!!! I am going to the United States Naval Academy and will be studying Nuclear Engineering. I hope to follow a similar path a James, that is from the military to the private sector. Ultimately ending up transforming our energy landscape. Energy = Wealth!!! Type I Civilization here we come.

[afringedgentian]

Dearest Dr. Peterson, I just got the news that you have lost a beloved friend and colleague in Rex Murphy. My heart goes out to you in your loss and grief. I cherish your very first interview with him, when you were so ill and fragile and raw, and he was so tender and gentle with you. His was a man’s sensitiveness and tenderness and tact and it was heart melting. And every sentence he spoke was pure poetry. I don’t have words for the sense of grief and loss I feel and I know yours is so much greater. I would gather you into a hug if I could. Since I can’t I hope this little note will serve as a hug.
“He was a man; take him for all in all. We shall not look upon his like again.”

With Ruth Anne’s love

P. S. I hope that the Daily Wire will prioritize on releasing the documentary you two did together, as a tribute to a great, and a good, man.

[jamesjohnson]

I've been using Nano-nuclear's reactor public documentation for research papers for a couple of years now. I've been heavily advocating and trying to change minds to favor nuclear. The company's designs have been an incredibly helpful means of advocating for reactors. Most of the engineers in my school are highly in favor of nuclear power, and advocate for the removal of wind.

[andybwilly]

So basically the food truck of the nuclear industry. Love it!

[robertsayre]

I love Dr. Peterson. But that’s the most excited I’ve ever seen him in an interview. He should become the spokesman for this company.

[evanschune]

Thank you for this. Nuclear power is absolutely what we need.

[raphalexx_]

What an excellent discussion. As a mechanical engineer (and Nuclear energy advocate) I would relish the opportunity to work with someone like James on such a revolutionary technology.
Also, Dr Peterson's ability to pick up and summarize such technical information with ease is sublime.

[monique-octowhale]

these podcasts are so informative. i'd have never thought i'd listen to close to two hours on a physicist speak on nuclear energy, or a harvard professor on dietary reforms. thanks for the quality work, as always.

[stacey]

Wow, I didn't know I could enjoy a podcast about nuclear energy. It filled me with optimism for the future. Thank you for this conversation with such an intelligent innovator.

[tjcogger]

I think Dr. Peterson would have made an excellent engineer in another life.

[doug]

We need James on more Podcasts. This conversation needs to spread. Timcast IRL seems like another big pod that could be a good fit.

[kylebramhall]

This should be shared as widely as possible. Thanks for backing the nuclear push!

[grahammoffatt]

I have had many discussions with a family member (boiler mechanic) and former mentor (contributed to uranium mining around elliot lake)
Nuclear power generation is by far the best source of baseload power generation.
The disaster at Fukushima could have been a completly different situation if the reactor was CANDU style.

[matsv]

What Peterson describe as Uranium in lead is pretty much a lead reactor. Those exist and they work well and are pretty simple. There are some issues with them that have to be considered.

Currently the company Sealer is marketing a reactor like that and is setting up a facility to make a prototype pretty close to where i live.

[josephm]

James Walker should have Jordan join the Board of Directors of NNE.

[cath]

At last, some promising news on the energy front! A reason to feel optimistic about something...Thanks Dr. Peterson.