On Nov 29, 5:26 pm, "Vaughn Simon"
wrote:
"BobR" wrote in message

...

I have long believed that nuclear could
provide long term solutions to power needs but only if we quit all the
bull**** political infighting and find real solutions.

We agree!

The first step
in that direction is to admit that you really do have problems that
must be solved.

What basic problems are there? We have been operating commercial power
reactors in the US for what? 50 years? What unsolved (scientific &
engineering) problems do you see? In half a century, I can't point to a case
where any member of the public has died (or even been injured) as a result of
nuclear energy. You can't say the same about fossil power.

We have had our heads up our ass for years and failed
to admit the problems with fossil fuels, lets NOT repeat the same
mistake in finding replacements.

I can't argue with that.

Vaughn

As I mentioned earlier, the main problem I see in the nuclear industry
at this point in time and I am talking about more than just nuclear
energy is the issue of dealing with the waste materials. It is not
just a problem for the power plants but all other uses as well. With
the power generation plants, it is how to dispose of (or recycle) the
spent fuel and all other contaminated byproducts. The spent fuel
could, as someone pointed out, possibly be recycled for other uses if
some way can be found to do so safely which is the current delima.
The bigger issue though might be the other contaminated byproducts
including the cooling liquids, and the facilities themselves as they
reach their useful life and are decommisioned.

All of the contaminates must ultimately be disposed of in a manner
that does not contaminate the environment or pose health hazards to
anyone who might come in contact with them. I know, the same issues
are there with fossil fuels but that does not excuse us from proactive
decisions on nuclear issues.

Most of the contaminates from fossil fuel generation can be scrubbed
from the environment within a few years to few decades by natural
processes. Thas assumes that we don't continue to add to the
polutants. Not so for nuclear waste. The contaminates from nuclear
waste and / or nuclear accidents will take nature thousands of years
to scrub. The potiential effects are far worse. All that being said,
I would much rather live next door to a nuclear plant than a coal
plant.