[karmakurtisaani]

That sounds very reasonable. However, where I've seen this ideological aspect is for example in Finland where the permits for nuclear plants are very difficult to obtain. So once a permit is granted, they want to make as massive plants as possible, leading to big risks in construction (see Olkiluoto 3 for example, one of the most expensive constructions in history).

[pyrale]

> see Olkiluoto 3 for example, one of the most expensive constructions in history

Dimensioning of Olkiluoto 3 is unrelated to Finnish regulation, the reactor was designed by France and Germany based on economies of scales, not specifically for a local project.

[karmakurtisaani]

Yes, but only 1 permission for a plant was given in what, 20 years?

[bryanlarsen]

How many plants applied for permission and were turned down? 0?

[karmakurtisaani]

I can't say and can't even guess where to find that information. However, I believe if there was a concentrated effort to develop and build small-scale reactors, there would be use for them. But if the permission process is heavily regulated and political, who will invest in such reactors?

I still remember when Olkiluoto 3 was approved, the Green party left the government out of protest. And in 2014 they threatened to leave the government again if they approve some change in another plant's permit. That's the level of ideological opposition we're talking about.

Luckily, the tide is turning, but it's highly annoying that this needs to be an issue.