In an exclusive interview with POWER, Grace Stanke, reigning Miss America 2023 and nuclear engineering student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, emphasizes her mission to promote the critical role of nuclear energy in the United States’ energy landscape.
Stanke, a passionate advocate for nuclear technology, will address the American Nuclear Society conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, on June 12. Her message to conference participants is aimed at equipping them with the skills to effectively communicate the numerous benefits of nuclear energy. She claims, βI’ll talk about how to be an advocate, how to effectively communicate the importance of nuclear power.
As an influential figure, Stanke is using her platform to raise awareness about nuclear energy and its place in a carbon-free energy future. She emphasizes that nuclear energy faces significant barriers, mainly due to a lack of public and political support. Stanke believes that while clean energy options such as solar and wind are gaining popularity, nuclear power still suffers from persistent misconceptions.
Under the banner ‘Clean Energy, Cleaner Future’, Stanke aims to change public perception of nuclear energy and increase awareness of its multifaceted benefits. She recognizes that nuclear science professionals are people too, and her goal is to bridge the gap between two seemingly disparate worlds.
Stanke’s impressive resume includes hands-on experience in nuclear energy, most notably her contributions to nuclear fusion research at the HSX stellarator facility at UW-Madison, a renowned institute for plasma and fusion research. She also served as president of the university’s American Nuclear Society chapter. Additionally, she gained valuable insights during her three-semester collaboration with Constellation, an electric and natural gas company that operates numerous nuclear power plants in 16 states and the District of Columbia.
In addition to her academic and professional achievements, Stanke is an accomplished violinist who earned the title of Miss Wisconsin in June 2022, which advanced her to the Miss America pageant. She actively engages with students on the topic of nuclear energy and delivers keynote addresses at nuclear energy conferences.
Stanke’s efforts extend to site visits to prominent nuclear facilities, such as the Palo Verde Generating Station in Arizona, the nation’s largest nuclear power plant and power generation facility. Her recent visit to Plant Vogtle in Georgia gave her first-hand insight into the ongoing construction of two new AP1000 reactors, to complement existing units.
Speaking about her experiences, Stanke expresses her enthusiasm for the field, especially her time in the control room at Plant Vogtle, where she witnessed major milestones in power delivery. She emphasizes the importance of joint efforts and encourages companies to include nuclear energy in their energy portfolios.
In closing, Stanke emphasizes the significance of nuclear energy in the evolving energy landscape, stating that nuclear energy requires the collective efforts of countless individuals to secure its role in the national energy system. She states: βIt is time for us to focus on how we can truly integrate nuclear energy into our energy system.β Grace Stanke’s unwavering dedication positions her as a crucial advocate for the clean and sustainable future of nuclear energy.