America is in crisis. Oil has dragged us into war in the Middle East, Global Warming has sent more Hurricanes than ever to ravage our coasts, and we are staring stagflation in the teeth as our gas prices and heating bills skyrocket while our incomes get squeezed. 70% of our electricity comes from fossil fuels, and global competition for these fuels increases dramatically every day. Something must be done to solve this fossil fueled Fisting of crises.
One option that worked well before, and has even improved greatly since, is Nuclear Energy. Currently, around 16% of America's electricity is generated through Nuclear Power. Nuclear power produces no greenhouse gasses, it does not require costly expeditions into hostile nations to secure, and it is plentiful enough to produce power for the entire nation. Unfortunately, the U.S. has stopped making nuclear power plants because of public hysteria caused by incidents like 3 mile Island accident in 1979 and Chernobyl incident in 1986. Other countries, have been using nuclear power very sucessfully however. France for instance produces 75% of it's electricity through nuclear power today.
American's who have seen Chernobly coverage on the news, movies like China Syndrome which was a Nuclear Disaster movie from 1979, and Any given episode of the Simpsons, get edgy when they think about nuclear power. It is important that we address some common misconseptions that Americans have about nuclear power.
What about the negative health risks of Nuclear Power you ask? Well, that is solved with modern technology being able to place buffers between the nuclear material and the outside of the reactor, which has been the case since the first commercial reactors were built in the U.S.
What about the possibility of Meltdowns? With well regulated and properly constructed power plants, a meltdown is easily prevented. Not only that, but there is new low-heat reactors that they have been in the works for small scale nuclear plants in countries like Netherlands and South Africa. This method utilizes tennis ball sized fuel cells that are uranium encased in a carbon matrix http://www.worldandi.com/public/2001/April/nuclear.html Reading this webpage, you will realize that not only can these low-heat reactors be used for safe reactors on neighborhood, or town scale, but could be used to heat homes, with zero risk of a meltdown.
Finally, one may be concerned about the toxic waste produced by spent nuclear fuel. There is little waste produced, but it is indeed toxic, and needs to be kept in isolation for a long time before it is harmless. With proper disposal in the deep core of a mountain, this is not a problem.
The possibilities of Nuclear power are endless. Unfortunately we have been so trained to fear it by the media, and American society at large, that we have put it out of our range of options. Look at the facts for yourself, and you will realize that it is time that we put Nuclear Power back on the drawing board as a way to save our environment, our nation, our world and our future.
A couple other cool uses of nuclear low heat fuel...
Cars fueled by nuclear power, think nuclear submarine, but small and commuting to work and minus the torpedoes. Nuclear powered hot water heaters, and ovens. Nuclear powered school busses. Without nuclear power wear would we be? Oh yea, with an energy crisis.
about the waste, the waste situation is actually better with nuclear power because eventually the nuclear waste will be harmless but chemicals from other processes don't just go away with time.
You are absolutely correct in that nuclear energy is a very efficient, and-well- a very good idea. And it is true that environmentally, it has very clean emmissions. BUT: the issue to me is where we are as far as moral-political discipline. I don't argue that if run correctly, nuclear energy is the salvation we are looking for. But upon observing the current situation of the overwhelming corporate evil (particularly in the Oil industry, many of which will no doubt drift to nuclear energy if it catches on) I don't think we are anwhere near ready, and we won't be until we can keep these amoral oppurtunists in line.
Hahaha! Touche... I wouldn't trust the Current Government to Run a Popsicle stand on the corner, let alone a Nuclear Plant. That is why we need competent people running the local and federal government if our country is serious about being a leading nation. We need complete transparency, and the best people for the jobs. Not a cleptocracy with good ol boys and drinking buddies pulling the switches. Now I'm going to have to write a blog on how to create an effective government. Damn, I knew it would come to this sooner or later...