Lithuania Going Nuclear Again With American Help
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A major medical group, American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, endorsed silencers for firearms use.
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Conservative commentator Scott Jennings will join the L.A. Times Editorial Board.
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Lithuania Goes Nuclear with U.S. Help
The United States is not only exporting “molecules of freedom” to our allies; we’re also exporting smart nuclear energy technologies, too.
This week, our Department of Energy (DOE) signed a blockbuster nuclear energy deal with Lithuania - the Baltic nation my family hails from. Outgoing Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Lithuanian Energy Minister Dainius Kreivys unveiled an inaugural Intergovernmental Agreement involving fourth-generation small modular reactors (SMRs) during bilateral meetings held on November 26th, 2024. The official press release claims the deal will boost “the U.S. civil nuclear industry, U.S. technological leadership and U.S. competitiveness while advancing the highest standards of safety and security.”
“Energy was instrumental in regaining our independence,” Lithuanian Vice Energy Minister Albinas Zananavičius exclusively told Townhall.com in an interview. “For those in the West who still have some illusions that one can run business with Russia, we always saw it differently because Russia started pressing us in the energy field in the very beginning of our independence.”
This, however, is not Lithuania’s first rodeo with nuclear power. The Baltic country produced 70% of its electricity from two reactors located at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant until 2009, when European Union (EU) pressure forced the plant’s permanent closure. A month after Unit 2’s closure, in January 2010, electricity prices reportedly soared 33%. As a result, it went from a net-exporter to net-importer of electricity and, ironically, being reliant on Russia again. Attempts to construct new nuclear power plants, including a failed deal with GE Hitachi, didn’t materialize. But Lithuania’s vice energy minister is hopeful SMRs will break through.
Zananavičius said shutting down Ignalina NPP “was really painful” because his country was “losing [a] lion's share of its generation overnight.” But the vice minister said by 2028-2029, the country would achieve 100% self-sufficiency from sources like wind, solar, hydropower, and gas until nuclear energy is added into the mix.
And I also spoke to Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) about this new US-Lithuania intergovernmental agreement to supercharge Lithuania’s civil nuclear program. The segment begins at the 41:41 mark.
"This is the rare point of agreement: nuclear power is supported by both parties, both Democrats and Republicans." Therefore, I believe that this agreement on nuclear energy between Lithuania and the United States will be continued by the new administration," Gabriella Hoffman, director of the IWF Center for Energy and Conservation, is convinced.
Scenes from the Week: Monster Lion’s Mane Mushroom
ICYMI
Articles/commentary/media appearances from the past week.
MEDIA MENTIONS
I was interviewed by Fox News Digital about Trump’s EPA, Interior, and Energy cabinet picks. It was picked up by Yahoo! News, MSN, Fox Charleston, and Fox 40 Jackson MS.
And I spoke to LRT (Lithuania National Radio and Television) about the new SMR deal between the U.S. and Lithuania.
ARTICLES/BLOGS
IWF/American Spectator: Trump Cabinet Picks Will Balance Energy Abundance With True Conservation
Townhall: The U.S. and Lithuania Sign Monumental Nuclear Energy Deal
District of Conservation
Catch up on District of Conservation episodes below.
And check out a new episode of The Sportswoman Show with professional kayak angler Wendy Biles.
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—Gabriella