Elon Musk tells Europe: 'Restart dormant nuclear power stations'

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk on Sunday said it is "critical" for Europe to restart dormant nuclear power plants and increase the output of existing stations due to energy problems following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"Hopefully, it is now extremely obvious that Europe should restart dormant nuclear power stations and increase power output of existing ones," he tweeted. "This is *critical* to national and international security."

One week ago, Russia seized control of Europe's largest nuclear power plant as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his violent invasion of Ukraine.

He also said that nuclear energy is "vastly better for global warming than burning hydrocarbons."

The SpaceX and Tesla founder even offered to prove how safe nuclear energy is by eating food from the area.

"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," he tweeted. "I did this in Japan many years ago, shortly after Fukushima. Radiation risk is much, much lower than most people believe."

One follower tweeted a picture of Musk in Fukushima in 2011. Musk responded by calling his visit to Japan "an honor."

Musk's comments put him at odds with some European nations looking to phase out nuclear power, such as Germany, Belgium and Switzerland.

On Friday, Musk proposed increasing oil and gas production. 

"Hate to say it, but we need to increase oil & gas output immediately," he tweeted, adding, "Extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures."

The average price of regular gas in the United States on Sunday hit more than $4 per gallon for the first time since 2008.

Musk acknowledged that increasing gas output would harm Tesla but said that it is still needed. 

"Obviously, this would negatively affect Tesla, but sustainable energy solutions simply cannot react instantaneously to make up for Russian oil & gas exports," he tweeted.