The future of nuclear power has long been part of the history of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT's Nuclear Reactor Laboratory, built in the 1950s, is the second-largest university reactor in the United States. But it's small — operating at just 1% of the energy of the recently closed Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station.
Future? In Massachusetts, nuclear power is history. Last spring, Massachusetts' last nuclear power plant — Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station — shut down after nearly 50 years. Repairing the aging plant was too expensive, and it couldn't compete against cheap natural gas.
On The 21st: Travel expert Rick Steves discussed holiday travel tips and the legalization of marijuana in Illinois. Plus, we learn about a Better Government Association investigation into nuclear waste, and get expert advice for getting through cold and flu season.
Exelon still has hopes for the legislation, once lawmakers are done dealing with the state budget. And whether or not it passes could have in impact on the price of electricity in Illinois, and the fate of its three nuclear plants in Clinton, Byron and Quad Cities, which are losing money.
There's a new player in a battle over energy policy that's playing out at the Illinois Capitol.
