Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says he will travel to a high-radiation location to “eat locally grown food on TV” after calling for a massive increase of nuclear energy production in Europe, Insider reported Monday.
What are the details?
Musk on Sunday called for European nations to increase their output of nuclear power in an effort to offset the possibility of a gas shortage.
He wrote, “Hopefully, it is now extremely obvious that Europe should restart dormant nuclear power stations and increase power output of existing ones. This is *critical* to national and international security.”
Following backlash with many social media users stating a fear of radiation contamination in their food, Musk added, “For those who (mistakenly) think this is a radiation risk, pick what you think is the worst location. I will travel there & eat locally grown food on TV. I did this in Japan many years ago, shortly after Fukushima. Radiation risk is much, much lower than most people believe.”
What else is there to know about this?
Over the weekend, Musk also called for the U.S. to increase its domestic oil and gas production and output amid sanctions imposed on Russia.
Insider reported that Russian oil exports have plummeted by approximately 33% amid the country’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
On Friday, Musk tweeted, “Hate to say it, but we need to increase oil & gas output immediately. Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) announced support for the sentiment and responded, “Couldn’t agree more! Unleash American energy NOW!”
Cruz on Friday also issued a statement regarding his newly introduced Energy Freedom Act, which would help release the U.S. from its extreme reliance on foreign energy sources.
“I’m introducing the Energy Freedom Act to reverse Biden’s actions so we can restore American energy independence,” he said in a statement on the proposed legislation. “This bill won’t cost taxpayers a dime, but it will provide the United States billions in revenue in the coming years by expediting permitting, leasing, safe new pipelines, and exports, and providing much needed regulatory certainty. It would create new jobs, lower energy costs, and because modern energy production in the United States is far cleaner than in any other country’s by every measure, it would help the environment.”