The White Paper on Kerala's fiscal health, presented on June 4, has reopened the debate on establishing nuclear power plants in the state. Drafted by a panel led by K.M. Chandrasekhar, it advocates for a diversified energy strategy that includes nuclear power among other sources. The document states that Kerala needs to significantly increase its power generation capacity, proposing 6000 MW from solar energy and 8000 MW from pumped hydroelectric projects, along with contributions from nuclear sources. Despite previous government inaction on nuclear policies, discussions have resurfaced, particularly regarding potential sites like Athirappilly and Cheemeni. However, the topic remains contentious due to concerns over safety, especially in light of past nuclear disasters such as Chernobyl and Fukushima. Environmentalists argue for a focus on solar and pumped storage projects instead. The discussion is further fueled by the state's thorium deposits, which have been a point of interest since the 1940s. The Kerala State Electricity Board is reportedly willing to explore nuclear options if land is made available.