Why Local Voices Matter in the Nuclear Debate: A Conversation with Prof. Anna Erickson - Episode 96

In this episode of Eye on the Issues, recorded in mid-May, we sat down with Anna Erickson, a professor of nuclear and radiological engineering at Georgia Tech. As someone who teaches and supports nuclear energy, Prof. Erickson offers an informed perspective—but even she raises concerns about how nuclear projects are being handled, particularly regarding community trust and transparency. 

Her message is clear: local voices must be heard before projects move forward. Consent-based siting isn't just a best practice—it's a necessity. When developers or government officials skip that step, they risk public backlash, legal delays, and broken trust. 

That warning couldn't be more relevant in Wyoming today. In Barr Nunn, residents are raising objections to a proposed Radiant facility, yet their concerns are seemingly being brushed aside. Meanwhile, across the state, nuclear development continues to gain speed with very little public engagement, according to many. 

Prof. Erickson also points out that the Kemmerer Natrium reactor is just a "drop in the bucket." As the nation braces for a surge in power demand—driven largely by AI and data centers—Wyoming could see these kinds of projects multiply. Without a clear, transparent, and community-first approach, this trend could overwhelm local communities and sideline Wyoming residents in decisions that will shape their lives for generations. 

If even a nuclear engineering professor is warning that this process is moving fast and without adequate safeguards, it's time to ask hard questions—and insist that Wyoming put people before politics and profit.