Manufacturing Talks
There are millions of cool stories in manufacturing. Your host, Jim Vinoski, helps share them by talking to the people who are making them happen. Manufacturing is where the rubber meets the road. There's no hiding. You're either making good products people will buy for enough to keep you in business, or you're not. Meet the amazing folks who thrive in that survival-of-the-fittest world.
Manufacturing Talks
Economist Julia Cartwright on energy polices, regulations, and nuclear power
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It was great fun to focus on nuclear energy for the second week in a row!
Your host Jim Vinoski interviews Julia Cartwright from the American Institute for Economic Research about nuclear energy and regulations. Cartwright, an economist, professor, and deep thinker, discusses the inefficiencies of government intervention in energy policies, citing examples like the Road to Housing Act and the regulatory capture. She highlights the potential of nuclear energy, particularly thorium, which is more efficient and abundant than uranium and plutonium. Cartwright criticizes the U.S. for not utilizing its uranium-233 reserves and advocates for a technology-neutral policy. She also emphasizes the need for regulatory certainty to encourage investment in nuclear energy and small modular reactors.
Highlights:
00:00 - Introduction and Background of Julia Cartwright
04:15 - Julia's Views on Government Regulation and Industrial Policy
08:14 - Energy Policy and Favoritism
17:01 - Challenges and Opportunities in Nuclear Energy
25:57 - Regulatory Barriers and Permitting Reform
29:04 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Julia covered a lot of ground and offered a wealth of useful industry and policy recommendations. Tune in for the whole thing!
Julia's articles mentioned in the show:
"Ending the Era of Energy Favoritism" - https://aier.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Julia-Cartwright_Energy-Favoritism_v3.pdf
Thorium reactor technology - https://azfreenews.com/2026/01/julia-cartwright-america-risks-losing-the-advanced-nuclear-race-to-china/
U-233 - https://www.realclearpolicy.com/articles/2025/09/30/america_cant_lead_on_nuclear_while_destroying_its_own_fuel_1138084.html
Julia's page at AIER - https://aier.org/people/julia-r-cartwright/