What if the solution to America's 70-year nuclear waste problem was hiding in plain sight?

Rod Baltzer, CEO of Deep Isolation, joins Tim Montague to reveal how his company plans to revolutionize nuclear waste storage using existing oil and gas drilling technology. With nuclear waste currently piling up at power plants across the country and costing taxpayers $2 million daily in storage fees, this conversation couldn't be more timely.

Deep Isolation recently raised $33 million to demonstrate their breakthrough approach: using directional drilling to create mile-deep boreholes that can safely store nuclear waste for thousands of years. Unlike the failed Yucca Mountain project, their modular solution works at individual plant sites and could save taxpayers over $50 billion.

In this episode, you'll discover how Deep Isolation's Universal Canister System works, why 80% of US nuclear sites could use this technology, and how their approach differs dramatically from traditional repository methods. Rod explains the technical details of boring 18-inch holes a mile underground, the safety standards they exceed by a factor of 1,000, and why this solution makes sense whether you support nuclear energy or not.

The conversation covers the regulatory landscape, industry response, and what comes next after their upcoming full-scale demonstration. With 87 patents and growing international interest, Deep Isolation represents a practical path forward for one of America's most persistent environmental challenges.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in energy policy, environmental solutions, or innovative approaches to complex infrastructure problems.

Connect with Rod 

Rod Baltzer LinkedIn

Deep Isolation

Support the show

Connect with Tim

Clean Power Hour
Clean Power Hour on YouTube
Tim on Twitter
Tim on LinkedIn

Email [email protected]

Review Clean Power Hour on Apple Podcasts

The Clean Power Hour is produced by the Clean Power Consulting Group and created by Tim Montague. Contact us by email: [email protected]

Corporate sponsors who share our mission to speed the energy transition are invited to check out https://www.cleanpowerhour.com/support/

The Clean Power Hour is brought to you by CPS America, maker of North America’s number one 3-phase string inverter, with over 6GW shipped in the US. With a focus on commercial and utility-scale solar and energy storage, the company partners with customers to provide unparalleled performance and service. The CPS America product lineup includes 3-phase string inverters from 25kW to 275kW, exceptional data communication and controls, and energy storage solutions designed for seamless integration with CPS America systems. Learn more at www.chintpowersystems.com