Fast reactors can theoretically reduce the amount of waste that needs to go to long term disposal, but those are even rarer than graphite or heavy water moderat

Fast reactors can theoretically reduce the amount of waste that needs to go to long term disposal, but those are even rarer than graphite or heavy water moderated reactors. They're also even more expensive. I believe that there are currently only two fast power reactors in operation, both Russian (BN-600 and BN-800). I agree with you that it would have been (still would be) better to have emissions taxes penalizing pollution from fossil fuels instead of technology-specific incentives and subsidies for the various kinds of fossil alternatives. I live near a nuclear power plant and I have no problem with its track record of safety or emissions. I do think nuclear power has a major cost and scheduling problem for new projects and I'm not sure how that can be overcome. SMR projects like this one that Utah just canceled were the latest great hope for taming those issues.