Posted on 08/10/2009 7:08:53 PM PDT by larry hagedon
What is the status of the U.S. nuclear industry? There are currently 104 commercial nuclear reactors at 65 nuclear power plants in 31 States. Since 1990, the share of the Nation’s total electricity supply provided by nuclear power generation has averaged about 20%, with the level of nuclear generation growing at roughly the same rate as overall electricity use. Between 1980 and 1996, 33 new reactors were placed in service. In addition, nuclear generation has increased as a result of higher utilization of existing capacity and from technical modifications to increase nuclear plant capacity (expressed in megawatts). In response to incentives provided by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, nuclear power output is expected to grow, but at a slightly lower rate than total electricity generation.
(Excerpt) Read more at tonto.eia.doe.gov ...
Nuclear energy is inherently a clean energy source.
I fail to see the “environmentalist” argument against the construction of nuclear plants considering that:
— All radioactive materiel is closed-system.
— All major radiological power-plant incidents have been due to either non-compliance with safety protocols (Chernobyl) or faulty equipment (Three Mile Island).
— Systems do NOT interfere with birds as wind-farms do.
— Systems do not require a lot of surface area, as solar does.
— Systems are reliable.
— Systems are safe (See above); the US Navy has a STELLAR record of nuclear-powered vessels... and those are part of a warship which has other inherent risks.
— Given current technologies, construction of even more efficient AND safe nuclear power plants is not only feasible but could pay for the initial costs within years.
Honestly, if government wanted to boost the economy, how about 100 more reactors. That’s a $500 billion spending program over 10 years that produces all levels of employment directly plus 4x ripple through. Then we can cut back on natural gas for electricity and use it to replace liquid transportation fuels. This in turn would make us more resilient to foreign oil trade disruptions and increase the value of the dollar.
But first we need to stop being ruled by a vocal minority.
“Honestly, if government wanted to boost the economy, how about 100 more reactors.”
Yet another item on the McCain plan.
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