02-22-2003, 03:46 PM
Hi,
The history of nuclear power in the united states is complex. To a large extent, we are where we are because of ignorance. Ignorance of the politicians who put us in a position where we cannot process nuclear waste in a reasonable manner. Ignorance of the media who stressed the problems at Three Mile Island but never stressed that no one was injured. The ignorance of the environmental movement who actively demonstrated against the best realistic solution to clean power. Ignorance of the common population, 96% of whom do not distinguish between nuclear power and nuclear weapons. And, finally, ignorance on the part of the nuclear industry who failed to get their side of the story put before the public.
The details of all this would (and do) fill volumes. And everything you'll find on the topic is polarized, balance went out thirty years or more ago. So, there is no simple short answer. Some of the other posts on this thread have addressed some of your questions, for the rest I'd suggest searching the web. One place I found with a quick search is http://pw1.netcom.com/~res95/energy/nuclear.html It presents the story somewhat from my perspective. A number of the sites linked to from this one will help round out the picture.
And, no, it is not that coal power (or oil, gas, hydro, wind) etc, have that much power. It is that the anti-nuke forces have done such a good job of making nuclear power almost impossible to implement. The public distrust and the environmental requirements alone have made it impossible to get approval for new plants.
--Pete
The history of nuclear power in the united states is complex. To a large extent, we are where we are because of ignorance. Ignorance of the politicians who put us in a position where we cannot process nuclear waste in a reasonable manner. Ignorance of the media who stressed the problems at Three Mile Island but never stressed that no one was injured. The ignorance of the environmental movement who actively demonstrated against the best realistic solution to clean power. Ignorance of the common population, 96% of whom do not distinguish between nuclear power and nuclear weapons. And, finally, ignorance on the part of the nuclear industry who failed to get their side of the story put before the public.
The details of all this would (and do) fill volumes. And everything you'll find on the topic is polarized, balance went out thirty years or more ago. So, there is no simple short answer. Some of the other posts on this thread have addressed some of your questions, for the rest I'd suggest searching the web. One place I found with a quick search is http://pw1.netcom.com/~res95/energy/nuclear.html It presents the story somewhat from my perspective. A number of the sites linked to from this one will help round out the picture.
And, no, it is not that coal power (or oil, gas, hydro, wind) etc, have that much power. It is that the anti-nuke forces have done such a good job of making nuclear power almost impossible to implement. The public distrust and the environmental requirements alone have made it impossible to get approval for new plants.
--Pete
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?