Old Nukes, New Nukes

10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
David Baker, Energy Reporter, The San Francisco Chronicle
Jessica Lovering, Director of Energy, The Breakthrough Institute

With many of America's first nuclear power plants nearing the ends of their expected lifespans, should they be shut down or given a new lease on life? In recent years the licenses have been extended on many nuclear plants while a few have shut down. There is a lively debate over whether California should shutter the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant. If it does close, would its electricity be replaced by clean or fossil fuels?

10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Ray Rothrock, Partner Emeritus, Venrock

A new generation of nuclear entrepreneurs is striving to write a new atomic chapter. Startups in the Bay Area and elsewhere aim to address the three vulnerabilities of nuclear power: high costs, radioactive waste and nuclear proliferation. One concept getting a lot of attention is small nuclear reactors that would be manufactured like other industrial equipment rather than custom built. UPower aims to build nuclear batteries about the size of a cargo container for use in remote locations. Can these young companies bring innovation to an industry known more for cost overruns and lumbering giants? Are investors crazy for betting against the power and falling costs of the sun?

Join us for a two-part conversation about the present and future of atomic power in a hot and crowded world.