Homer Simpson’s Thanksgiving reminder

I recently watched some early episodes of The Simpsons and came across a gem.

In “Bart vs Thanksgiving,” Season 2, episode 7, Bart runs away from home after ruining Lisa’s Thanksgiving centerpiece. (My apologies if that was a spoiler.) As the family sits down for the holiday meal, Homer begins grace with gratitude for nuclear power:

“And, Lord, we’re especially thankful for nuclear power, the cleanest, safest energy source there is. . . except for solar, which is just a pipe dream.”

This episode aired on November 22, 1990. It may have been tongue-in-cheek in 1990 (and it’s especially funny considering Mr. Burns’ abysmal safety record in running Springfield’s nuclear plant).

But 34 years later, nuclear power remains the cleanest and safest energy source around. It also happens to be the most reliable, with a capacity factor of 93 percent in 2023. Solar is still weather-dependent, intermittent, and construction remains expensive, despite ample subsidies under the Inflation Reduction Act. Solar photovoltaic capacity factor in 2023 was 23.2 percent.

I think I may start my dinner tomorrow with gratitude for nuclear energy, too. Happy Thanksgiving!