Grace Stanke, a nuclear engineer and former Miss America, has embarked on a 10-day national tour across Australia, advocating for the benefits of nuclear power. Organized by Nuclear for Australia (NFA), a charity founded by 18-year-old Will Shackel, the tour aims to address concerns surrounding Australia's energy future. Stanke's journey includes speaking engagements with hundreds of Australians, particularly in rural areas where renewable energy projects have faced backlash.
The backdrop to Stanke's tour is the Liberal Party's controversial proposal to establish seven nuclear power stations across Australia. This ambitious plan would require a staggering investment of 331 billion Australian dollars ($206 billion) and aims to have the first station operational by 2035. However, the proposal has sparked significant opposition in rural communities, where residents fear the potential impact on their surroundings.
Australia's ban on nuclear energy, in place since 1998, is currently under reassessment as part of the country's broader strategy to cut carbon emissions. Stanke argues that Australia is "already kind of late" to embrace nuclear energy and stresses the urgency of starting now. Despite these arguments, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) maintains that renewable energy sources remain the most cost-effective and efficient path to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
"Renewables are working right now. We can’t wait 10 to 20 years for higher cost and risky nuclear energy." – David Hood
Shackel's advocacy for nuclear power began two years ago with a petition that has quietly garnered over 80,000 signatures supporting the lifting of the nuclear ban. As a spokesperson and engineer for the US energy giant Constellation, Stanke emphasizes her role in influencing change.
"I respect people because they’re using their voices." – Grace Stanke
"knowing that I’ve made an impact in not just one person’s lives, but many." – Grace Stanke
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has dismissed the Liberal Party's nuclear initiative as "madness," describing it as a "fantasy" intended to delay meaningful climate action. His criticism underscores the heated debate surrounding nuclear energy in Australia.
"I think we need to move away from fossil fuels. Gas is a fossil fuel. So, I think that if we want to be able to move away from those sources, nuclear energy is something that’s going to be increasingly important." – Will Shackel
The tour has also seen moments of tension. Some audience members have been ejected from Stanke's talks, with one woman filing a formal complaint after allegedly being pushed by security. The increasing intensity of these discussions highlights the polarizing nature of the nuclear power debate.
"Let’s face it, we are living beside an industrial electrical installation." – Michelle Hunt
The Liberal Party's proposal has prompted fears among rural residents about living near industrial sites, while proponents argue that nuclear plants could offer employment opportunities in regions where renewable projects fall short.
"And for those communities who are desperate for jobs but don’t see renewables providing that completely for them, having a nuclear plant there could be a good solution." – Will Shackel
"ensure that this foolishness does not take off." – Jane McNicol
As Australia grapples with its energy future, stakeholders continue to voice their concerns. Advance, a conservative campaign group, is promoting a documentary highlighting the challenges faced by farmers affected by renewable energy developments. Meanwhile, critics like Jane McNicol argue that the push for nuclear energy is merely a tactic to prolong reliance on fossil fuels.
"It’s just a way of spinning the fossil fuel industry out for a bit longer, and we cannot afford to do that." – Jane McNicol
"You can see how the climate is collapsing around us. Look at Los Angeles. Those poor people over there lost everything." – Jane McNicol
