Lots for Republicans to like in this story. Apparently, the "All of the Above" energy strategy of House Republicans is much closer to the wishes of the electorate than plans that pick and choose. I am concerned though about the low support for nuclear power.
I think the nuclear industry needs to spend some money on a spokesman and an ad campaign. Hire someone the American people trust. Pay him/her a lot of money. Produce commercials that speak head on to the fear Americans have about the safety of nuclear energy. Talk about the number of people killed in the generation of nuclear energy vs. the number of people killed in refineries, coal mines, and offshore oil platforms. Talk about the lack of carbon emissions. Tell a good story and raise support.
CW - I generally agree that we have allowed ourselves to be Chernodebylitaded (copyright applied for) in our thinking with respect to nuclear energy. That said, I recently came across an article referencing a recent study on cost of containing nuclear waste for our existing plants. The essence of it was that we are nearing capacity of existing dumps and both the financial cost and the challenges of overcoming the stigma (real or emotional) of nominating additional sites appear to be prohibitive. Perhaps energy shortfalls and associated prices will alter the national mindset toward this, but probably not until we've learned that windmills and silicon panels aren't cutting it. That could be many years. I'll try to find that article for you. Haven't employed a lot of brain cells on the article's premise, just thought I'd throw the comment out there for collaboration. By the way, this is an allowed collaboration, in no way associated with the UVa Honor Code.
ReplyDeleteYep, where to dump it is a big issue. Looks to me like we need to deal with this one smart, but not dealing with it is just plain dumb.
ReplyDeleteHell, the Arabs will soon be out of oil but flush with worthless land...maybe they'll take it!
Looking for a spokesman for Nuclear Energy? Why not Homer Simpson? You laugh at first, but give Homer a script (ala Paris Hilton's energy plan, which for some strange reason -- bikini -- gained traction) and the American public will listen and respond. Face it, Homer Simpson is the only face Americans could even get in the same ballpark if you wanted to pair together a celebrity and nuclear energy.
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