I'll lead with the conclusion: decarbonization will continue if it costs less than conventional sources, with caveats. The caveats are externalities. Thermal sources of electricity, including coal, natural gas, and nuclear, are associated with externalities of carbon dioxide emissions, coal ash (which is rich in exotic rare earth minerals, aka, coproducts), and radioactive waste. At least radioactive waste is contained in tiny secure containment vessels, the cost of which is not socialized over all humans and the broader environment. Renewable sources of electricity and batteries also have externalities that no one wants to discuss. The big ones include production and…
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