Hi Drew

I've literally just finished watching "Britain's Worst Nuclear Accident" on the TV tonight, 50 years after the event. When I wrote the post above I was unaware of the significance of the date. In the rush to produce a UK H- Bomb boundaries were pushed and we were very lucky not to have had our own Chernobyl 29 years earlier, as it was we had a runaway core fire and radioactive material was spread across the Lake District of the UK.

Many things about this event were covered up by the UK Government with a view that "Ignorance is Bliss"

If the amounts of money put into Nuclear had (or still could be) invested in benign alternatives then I am convinced they would be viable today.

I don't think the Russian Government or any other Government with such a resource would act any differently with regard to the safety of it's own population.

The only way to be sure of a "safe" Nuclear Industry is to eradicate the possibility completely. Leave the Uranium evenly distributed around the Globe as intended instead of in very hot, and radioactive for thousands of years, spots

We owe it to future generations not to take this risk today for a short term gain (The PR Spin of Global Warming) and leave them a terrible legacy when with the same zeal and effort placed in producing the Atomic Era we pursued instead the renewable resources of Wind, Hydroelectric, Tidal, River, Geothermal, Solar.

The damage of the Nuclear Era of the 30's-60's and onwards into the 80's was, and still is, a crime against Humanity.

. <--That's a Big Full Stop


Dave

http://www.edie.net/news/news_story.asp?id=6527

Well said. Wind and solar power cannot currently (or anytime in the next 20-40+ years) realistically meet global energy demands. Nuclear is far better than coal.

Good Morning,

Coal buring generates sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury/mercury compounds. The descriptions are directly from the US Environmental Protection Agency. These emissons are the direct result of coal burning. Nuclear provides clean energy.

You guys can decide what risk is worth taking.

Take care,
Drew


Mercury/Mercury Compounds
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that is a byproduct of the combustion of fossil fuels, especially coal. Mercury and compounds containing mercury can accumulate in the environment and are highly toxic to humans and animals if inhaled or swallowed. Exposure can permanently damage the brain, kidneys, and fetuses.

Sulfur Dioxide
High concentrations of sulfur dioxide affect breathing and may aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Sensitive populations include asthmatics, individuals with bronchitis or emphysema, children, and the elderly. Sulfur dioxide is also a primary contributor to acid rain, which causes acidification of lakes and streams and can damage trees, crops, historic buildings, and statues. In addition, sulfur compounds in the air contribute to visibility impairment in large parts of the country. This is especially noticeable in national parks. Sulfur dioxide is released primarily from burning fuels that contain sulfur (such as coal, oil, and diesel fuel). Stationary sources such as coal- and oil-fired power plants, steel mills, refineries, pulp and paper mills, and nonferrous smelters are the largest releasers.

Nitrogen Oxides (NOX)
Gases consisting of one molecule of nitrogen and varying numbers of oxygen molecules. Nitrogen oxides are produced in the emissions of vehicle exhausts and from power stations. In the atmosphere, nitrogen oxides can contribute to formation of photochemical ozone (smog), can impair visibility, and have health consequences; they are thus considered pollutants.

Amost as good as

"Electricity so cheap that it wouldn't be worth metering"