tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459298.post5778266443080253413..comments2023-10-18T06:26:15.632-07:00Comments on Protohuman Blog: Nuclear Power - Sounds Good on Paper...Ughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17267287853892482870noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459298.post-17232831126330379502008-08-10T21:21:00.000-07:002008-08-10T21:21:00.000-07:00This disposal of nuclear waste being a “problem” i...This disposal of nuclear waste being a “problem” is a myth created by anti-nuclear groups. What does France do with its waste? They have a “breeder” plant (they named it Super Phoenix) that reprocesses 95% of spent fuel rods: They get to recycle the fuel rods for use in their reactor plants for decades. The waste that can’t be recycled, usually a very small amount or 5% of the spent rods, gets stored safely despite what anti-nuke activists want you to think. We would have at least several breeder plants if it weren’t for the efforts of these groups. Hence, nuclear “waste” would be less of an issue.<BR/><BR/>“France is still forced to shut down some of its reactors on weekends because no one can use its surplus. They can’t even give it away. Additionally at times of high demand they must turn around buy electricity from their European neighbors at peak prices.” I would rather have a surplus than not enough and suffer “blackouts.” Besides, there is no problem with augmenting energy supply from another source. As long as it isn’t the filth of coal burning plants.<BR/><BR/>One of the reasons Nuclear power plants are so expensive to build (and they take so long to build) is due to the lawsuits and frivolous litigation filed by anti-nuclear groups. Cost over-runs of over 50% are not unheard of as construction stops for 6 month to deal with a lawsuit. Basically, these lawsuits have caused private equity to shy away from investing in nuclear plants. That is why the public has to now foot the entire bill for any new plants.<BR/><BR/>Lastly, if environmentalists really cared about the environment and their families, communities, etc. They would reconsider a CO2-less technology over the poison of coal fired plants that cause more harm than most will ever know.VHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02070864512034930080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8459298.post-75819965404428472982008-07-23T17:38:00.000-07:002008-07-23T17:38:00.000-07:00Ever hear about pebble-bed reactors?I heard about ...Ever hear about pebble-bed reactors?<BR/>I heard about them several years ago when they were still experimental. They were touted then as highly efficient and far easier to regulate than fuel rod reactors. A rough analogy would be a nuclear corn stove sort of system.TJWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14184273106915507133noreply@blogger.com