If nuclear power's gonna power cars, then the public seems to be OK with that
OK, we have to keep a healthy skepticism about this opinion poll, as it was conducted for the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). But, given the findings and the way that nuclear energy will effect the future of the automobile in America, it's important to look at what the NEI found: 68 percent of Americans support building a new reactor at the existing nuclear power plant closest to where they live. This is slightly different than the "Nearly 7 of 10 Americans Favor Nuclear Energy" the NEI used as the headline of its press release, but it does show that Americans are not afraid of nuclear power.
Nuclear power will obviously play a role in powering electric vehicles and may also someday be a source of hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles. Today, about 20 percent of U.S. homes and businesses use nuclear-generated electricity, and new plants are in the works. Thirty new reactors could come online in the next few decades, according to the NEI.
[Source: Nuclear Energy Institute]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Whiplash 5:18PM (9/27/2006)
Why shouldn't we build more nuclear plants? We're always hearing about how Americans are oil gluttons and how Europe is so much more advanced than we are.... well, they have tons of reactors in France and other places. We need to stop the FUD and start moving forward.
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joe c 9:08PM (9/27/2006)
yeah, and put the mountains of radioactive garbage where?
it is my understanding that the facility for storage of nuclear waste in nevada will only support the current nuclear plant's waste for the next 50 years, including what's been produced. so what happens if we build more? i say the best way for clean energy will come from solar. wind, geothermic etc. technologies.
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Sid V. 10:55PM (9/27/2006)
What happens if we build more? Depends. Do we build more of the same and follow along the same lines or do we build better plants that can re-use its own waste only putting out a fraction of what they used to?
IIRC Bush repealed the Jimmy Carter edict of not resuing nuke fuel because it could be turned into nuke weapons. There are new nuke technologies out there that are far more efficient and less wasteful than current stuff. Solar, wind and geothermic while good will not satisfy the need of power from the world.
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Alternative Energy Blog 3:10AM (9/28/2006)
"Solar, wind and geothermic while good will not satisfy the need of power from the world."
It's a logical mistake to argue that one power source should provide all the power. There's huge potential to ramp up wind power - the U.S. currently produces less than 0.5% of its electricity from wind power, despite some great potential sites, whereas some countries in Europe are in double digits. What the U.S., and indeed all countries need, are a fifty year plan for our power mix. Currently the U.S. gets 50% of its electricity from dirty coal and each person in the U.S. uses around 20 pounds of coal a day!, this needs to change. Nuclear power may well play a significant role in our transition to a fully clean & renewable future.
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James Aach 7:50PM (9/28/2006)
My concern with any discussion of energy topics, and in particular nuclear, is that there is little understanding among public and pundits alike regarding how electricity is produced. I've worked in the nuclear industry for over two decades and it's nothing like what is portrayed in the media by either its detractors or promoters. If we are going to make good decisions about our energy future, we must first understand our energy present.
At my blog, you'll find a complete thriller novel that provides an excellent overview of the real world of atomic power - both good and bad (there's plenty of both). The book is free to readers - who seem to like it, judging from their comments. Stewart Brand, Whole Earth Catalog founder and internet pioneer, has also endorsed it.
http://RadDecision.blogspot.com
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MikeW 3:46PM (10/01/2006)
Technically everthing is nuclear powered. The sun is a giant fusion reaction. Maybe sometime in this millenia humans will be able to use fusion constructively.
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