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Thursday

Hayden Station, a coal-fired power plant, dominates part of the landscape between Hayden and Steamboat Springs in northwest Colorado. The power plant is expected to start shutting down before the end of the decade.

Hayden Station, a coal-fired power plant, dominates part of the landscape between Hayden and Steamboat Springs in northwest Colorado. The power plant is expected to start shutting down before the end of the decade. Scott Franz/KUNC hide caption

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Scott Franz/KUNC

Environment

As coal plants close, Colorado towns consider nuclear waste storage

The federal government hopes former coal towns will help the nuclear industry grow, by taking on the decades-long challenge of storing radioactive waste

Tuesday

Inside an underground facility where the U.S. tests nuclear weapons

A tunnel in the underground PULSE laboratory in Nevada, where scientists conduct experiments to test nuclear weapons without detonating them. NNSS/NNSA hide caption

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NNSS/NNSA

Short Wave

Inside an underground facility where the U.S. tests nuclear weapons

The U.S. tested nuclear weapons until the early 1990s. Since then, scientists have been using supercomputers and experiments to simulate nuclear test detonations, without detonating any nukes. But there are signs the world's nuclear powers may be readying to test again: Russia, China and the U.S. are all upgrading their nuclear test sites.

Inside an underground facility where the U.S. tests nuclear weapons

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Friday

The flag of the International Atomic Energy Agency flies in front of its headquarters during an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Austria.

The flag of the International Atomic Energy Agency flies in front of its headquarters during an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna, Austria. Heinz-Peter Bader/AP hide caption

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Heinz-Peter Bader/AP

World

United Nations nuclear agency again condemns Iran for failing to fully cooperate

The resolution comes after the agency said Iran has defied demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.

Monday

The U.S. once built a nuclear ship ... for passengers

The bridge of the NS Savannah, equipped with weather and communication instruments, would send orders to the reactor control room. Meredith Rizzo for NPR hide caption

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Meredith Rizzo for NPR

Short Wave

The U.S. once built a nuclear ship ... for passengers

In the Port of Baltimore, a ship is docked that hasn't transported passengers for more than 50 years. It's the NS Savannah and it's designated a National Historic Landmark. That's because it was the first—and only—nuclear-powered passenger ship to have ever been built. Science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel tells us about his recent tour of the ship and why it was a symbol of peace in it's time.

The U.S. once built a nuclear ship ... for passengers

Listen · 11:54
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Tuesday

Wednesday

What happens now after Russia suspends the last nuclear arms treaty with the U.S.?

A woman in Simferopol, Crimea, watches a TV broadcast of Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual state of the nation address on Tuesday. Putin announced Russia is suspending participation in the New START nuclear weapons treaty. AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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AFP via Getty Images

National Security

What happens now after Russia suspends the last nuclear arms treaty with the U.S.?

Just before he invaded Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed with other leaders that "a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought." So why is he eroding a key treaty?

Tuesday

Why even environmentalists are supporting nuclear power today

The Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant was scheduled to be shuttered in 2025. But California Governor Gavin Newsom now wants to expand its lifespan. Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Energy

Why even environmentalists are supporting nuclear power today

Environmentalists advocating for nuclear power have led a push to extend the operating life of Diablo Canyon, California's last nuclear power plant. Japan and Germany consider similar extensions.

Tuesday

Thursday

The End May Be Nearer: Doomsday Clock Moves Within 100 Seconds Of Midnight

The Doomsday Clock reads 100 seconds to midnight, a decision made by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists that was announced Thursday. The clock is intended to represent the danger of global catastrophe. Eva Hambach/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Eva Hambach/AFP via Getty Images

National Security

The End May Be Nearer: Doomsday Clock Moves Within 100 Seconds Of Midnight

The two-minute warning that had held over the past two years has now shrunk to 100 seconds before midnight on the Doomsday Clock set by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.

Friday

Wednesday

Friday

As Nuclear Struggles, A New Generation Of Engineers Is Motivated By Climate Change

Entering the control room at Three Mile Island Unit 1 is like stepping back in time. Except for a few digital screens and new counters, much of the equipment is original to 1974, when the plant began generating electricity. Jeff Brady/NPR hide caption

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Jeff Brady/NPR

Environment And Energy Collaborative

As Nuclear Struggles, A New Generation Of Engineers Is Motivated By Climate Change

The number of people graduating with nuclear engineering degrees has more than tripled since 2001. Many say they are motivated by climate change.

As Nuclear Struggles, A New Generation Of Engineers Is Motivated By Climate Change

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Tuesday

Federal Regulator Rejects Energy Department's Bid To Prop Up Coal, Nuclear

Secretary of Energy Rick Perry testifies during a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 12. Perry's proposed rule to benefit nuclear and coal power plants has been rejected by a federal regulatory commission. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption

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Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Federal Regulator Rejects Energy Department's Bid To Prop Up Coal, Nuclear

Energy Secretary Rick Perry proposed a rule that would essentially subsidize older fuel sources to compete with cheaper natural gas and renewables. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission cried foul.

Tuesday

Nuclear Strike Drills Faded Away In The 1980s. It May Be Time To Dust Them Off

A Hawaii Civil Defense Warning Device, which sounds an alert siren during natural disasters, is shown in Honolulu on Nov. 29, 2017. The alert system is tested monthly, but now Hawaii residents will hear a new tone designed to alert people of an impending nuclear attack by North Korea. Caleb Jones/AP hide caption

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Caleb Jones/AP

National

Nuclear Strike Drills Faded Away In The 1980s. It May Be Time To Dust Them Off

Nuclear civil defense fell out of favor in the latter years of the Cold War. But, as North Korea builds its nuclear arsenal, local officials are reluctant to bring it back.

Nuclear Strike Drills Faded Away In The 1980s. It May Be Time To Dust Them Off

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Friday

Russia's Nuclear Industry Tries To Dispel Fears Over Mysterious Radioactive Cloud

A sign warns people not to enter the town of Ozersk, Chelyabinsk region, Russia, which houses the Mayak nuclear facility. In 1957, the nuclear reprocessing plant was the site of one of the world's worst nuclear accidents. Katherine Jacobsen/AP hide caption

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Katherine Jacobsen/AP

Parallels

Russia's Nuclear Industry Tries To Dispel Fears Over Mysterious Radioactive Cloud

More than two months after a mysterious radioactive cloud was detected over Europe, Russia's nuclear industry denied that a nuclear reprocessing plant was the source of the plume of ruthenium-106.