French sour on nuclear power

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:30:00 -0500

A new nuclear plant is being built in France, the first of a new generation that French industry hopes to export to the world. But the French people may have different ideas. In the wake of the Fukushima disaster, they're questioning whether nuclear power is really the answer.

Mark Goldes

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:01:18 -0500

THREE TICKING TIME BOMBS

THE MOST SERIOUS CHALLENGE TO HUMAN SURVIVAL SINCE WORLD WAR TWO

The first time bomb consists of fuel pools #3 & #4 at Fukushima. A Category 7 earthquake can unleash 50 years of high level radioactivity, which would threaten all human life. According to scientists there is a 70% chance of such a quake within a year, and a 98% probability within 3 years. To prevent a cataclysm, the Japanese need sustained political pressure, and wise technical assistance for an around-the-clock effort, as fast as is humanly possible. Support the Wyden initiative – call your Members of Congress at 202 224-3131.

The second time bomb is a parallel, little realized, threat from a solar storm which can collapse power grids worldwide and thereby cause multiple nuclear meltdowns. There are an estimated 20,000 huge transformers in danger of destruction in a solar storm. New technology in production this summer might protect them. A massive program to install these devices could protect the grid, reboot the economy, generate jobs, and save hundreds of millions of lives. Such a bold initiative can also sharply speed decentralized energy, which is increasingly capable of replacing fossil and nuclear fuels.

The third time bomb is climate change. Rapidly superseding all fossil fuels is becoming cost-effective. Black Swans: highly improbable innovations with incredible energy implications are being born. Survival demands we move the best of them into production as fast as practical. For a few surprising examples see CHEAP GREEN and MOVING BEYOND OIL on the Aesop Institute website.

Alex Lang

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 03:19:39 -0600

Just as a note, It is not a " so-called “third-generation” reactor", It is a third generation plus reactor. These standards are set and enforced by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and it is no small task to design such a reactor.

The only reactor that I can think of that is safer is the Advanced Candu Reactor.

PRI: Public Radio International

French sour on nuclear power

Mark Goldes

Alex Lang