Ive never understood why the US still uses the english system. Even the english dont use the english system any more. Besides, the metric system is so simple; everything is in neat multiples of 10.
Nuclear power is a real double edged sword. On one side it provides inexpensive (at least once you're past the initial setup) power, and produces far less atmospheric pollution. It is reasonably safe, most of the time.
On the other hand the wastes that are produced by a nuclear power plant are extremely hazardous, dangerous to store, and will continue to be so (in many cases) for centuries or longer. Also when nuclear power goes bad, it can go bad rather spectacularly. And it may not take much to go bad. See Chernobyl NPP.
A coal fired or oil fired plant may burn down, but a it won't render the entire area 20 miles in every direction uninhabitable for the next 300 years.
But if the safety and disposal obstacles can be overcome, maybe fission can carry us ahead on the road to a cleaner world.