The devil is in the details
We are on the path to environmental disaster and becoming energy hostages to power hungry radicals, and the only truly effective tool against these twin dangers is nuclear power. The technology for generating nuclear power has progressed a long way since Eric Epstein has last studied the matter, if he ever studied it at all.
To comment on this letter, click on "Comments" below
New generations of reactors are physically impossible to melt down. They are so efficient that the fuel is just mildly radioactive after it is spent and the half-life of the waste is only 400 years. The waste generated in these new plants is a fraction of the waste Mr. Epstein mentions, and they are even capable of recycling the waste from our present plants which LEAVE 98% of the energy in the spent fuel. Though this information is well known to the international scientific nuclear community, it is unfortunate the American public is unaware of these developments.
It is true that the cost to build nuclear reactors is expensive. However, if the environmental costs to coal generation are factored in, the actual cost of nuclear power will look very reasonable. It must also be noted that the federal government (your money) is subsidizing wind and solar power to the tune of $24.00 per KW and nuclear power only gets $1.59 per KW.
Peter Danko
Danko Design Initiative
York
Paul Pasqualini · August 26, 2008 1:42 PM
I think nuclear energy is an option that needs to be considered. However, before we jumped head long into it, I would like to see a significant study into the "net energy" output of nuclear power plants. This is the amount of energy consumed to build a nuclear reactor and the energy cost to then dismantle any facilities after it has exceeded its lifespan and is decomissioned vs. the amount of energy it would produce over its lifetime.
Opponents profess that nuclear power plants are a negative "net energy" prospect. I find that hard to believe. But I'd like to see it proven not to be the case. It would go a long way in promoting this option.
As we continue toward the eventual exhaustion of the world's oil supply, the term "net energy" will be one with which we all will become familiar.