80 likes | 178 Views
Chapter 27 – A Smashing Idea for Nuclear Storage. Kyle Rabine. Power Hungry – Robert Bryce. Opening Quote. “The biggest problem facing the future of nuclear power isn't science , cost, or how to handle the issue of radioactive waste. Instead , it's the equivocators .”. Equivocators.
E N D
Chapter 27 – A Smashing Idea for Nuclear Storage Kyle Rabine Power Hungry – Robert Bryce
Opening Quote • “The biggest problem facing the future of nuclear power isn't science, cost, or how to handle the issue of radioactive waste. Instead, it's the equivocators.”
Equivocators • Equivocate - To avoid making an explicit statement • Fred Krupp – president of Environmental Defense Fund • Wants people to be open-minded about nuclear power • However doesn’t want new construction • Technical and political issues with nuclear waste
Political Problems • We have the answers • Lack political will • No long term waste sites • 2009 Yucca mountain was shutdown by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid – Nevada • -$13.5 Billion wasted • Republicans for, Democrats against
What to do with Nuclear Waste? • Reprocessing - get back plutonium to be reused • Could in theory be used for weapons • Transmutation – bombard with “fast” neutrons to produce less radioactive metals • Hybrid reactions combine fusion and fission • Integrated energy parks • Use federal land for nuclear storage and reprocessing
Goals • Need to reduce total amount of radioactive fuel to prevent proliferation • Still need long term waste depository
References • http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Equivocator • Bryce, Robert. Power Hungry: The Myths of . Public Affairs, 2011. 269-276. Print.