Nuclear engineer and former Miss America joins Australia’s energy debate
Former Miss America and nuclear engineer Grace Stanke has entered Australia’s ongoing energy debate with a 10-day national tour promoting nuclear power. The tour comes as the country approaches a pivotal national election that could shift its energy policies significantly.
A controversial arrival amid political shifts
Stanke, 22, now works as both a spokesperson and engineer for US energy company Constellation. Her arrival coincides with an election cycle that may see the opposition Liberal Party return to power, bringing with it a promise to build seven nuclear power stations. This plan would challenge the Labor government’s current approach, which prioritizes renewable energy and gas.
For several days, Stanke has addressed audiences across Australia, with events organized by Nuclear for Australia (NFA), a charity led by 18-year-old Will Shackel, who is backed by a pro-nuclear entrepreneur.
Mixed reactions and protests
While Stanke has drawn large crowds, not all attendees have welcomed her message. During a speech in Brisbane, multiple protesters interrupted her talk, resulting in some being forcibly removed. One woman who was escorted out by security has since filed a formal complaint.
Reflecting on the incident, Stanke remained composed. “You know what? I respect people because they’re using their voices,” she said. She described the experience as “probably the most vocal” audience reaction she has faced.
The cost and feasibility of nuclear energy
Opponents of nuclear power argue that it is expensive, unsafe, and too slow to replace Australia’s coal-fired power plants. The debate highlights a shift in public discourse since the last election, where voters favored climate-conscious candidates and policies focused on renewable energy.
Australia banned nuclear energy in 1998, but the Liberal Party’s proposed plan would allocate 331 billion Australian dollars ($206 billion) to construct nuclear reactors, with the first operational by 2035. The Labor government, backed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), disputes these estimates, stating that renewables remain the most cost-effective path to net zero emissions by 2050.
While nuclear power is gaining attention, opposition to large-scale renewable energy projects is also increasing, particularly in rural areas. Concerns include the destruction of farmland, deforestation, and the impact on local communities.
The Clean Energy Council reports that 85 renewable projects are currently underway in Australia, along with 44 storage projects. However, the number of petitions against such projects has nearly tripled in the past two years. A conservative campaign group, Advance, has produced a documentary highlighting farmers’ struggles with the rapid expansion of wind and solar farms.
Shackel, the NFA’s founder, believes lifting the nuclear ban would benefit rural communities. “I think nuclear energy positions itself as a solution to some of those communities because of its low land use,” he said. He also argues that nuclear energy could create jobs that renewables alone may not provide.
Despite the push for nuclear energy, long-time environmental activists remain unconvinced. Jane McNicol, one of the protesters removed from former Miss America Stanke’s event, has been an anti-nuclear advocate since the 1980s. “It’s just a way of spinning the fossil fuel industry out for a bit longer, and we cannot afford to do that,” she said.
Other critics point to logistical challenges. In Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, where one of the proposed nuclear plants may be built, activists argue that there is not enough water to support such a facility. “The existing allocation is already committed to mine repair,” said Adrian Cosgriff, a member of Voices of the Valley.
Former Miss America Stanke and Shackel recently delivered a parliamentary briefing in Canberra, addressing politicians from across the political spectrum. However, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not attend, having already dismissed the Liberal Party’s nuclear proposal as “madness.”
For Stanke, success is measured by the impact of her advocacy. “Knowing that I’ve made an impact in not just one person’s life, but many,” she said.
As Australia stands at a crossroads in its energy policy, the upcoming election may determine whether the country embraces nuclear power or continues its commitment to renewables.
