Get all cars off the road because some leak oil

[carz89]

This thread title is an exact analogy of a recent news article published on August 16th in Bloomberg.com. In the article "McCain's Pitch for Safe Nuclear Power May Be Undercut by Leaks" Bloomberg.com: Exclusive the author asserts that John McCain should not be promoting Nuclear Power because a recently-discovered leak on a submarine proves that nuclear power is not safe. As an expert in nuclear power and one who tests and certifies submarine nuclear powerplant components, I can assure you that this is analogous to saying automobiles are not safe to the population or environment because a very small percentage of them occasionally leak a few drops of oil.

McCain is absolutely correct in touting the safety record of Navy Nuclear Propulsion. There have been no accidents or releases of radioactivity that resulted in a member of the public receiving a dose above any federal limits. And the federal radioactive exposure limits are very conservative, well below the threshold that would manifest itself in an increase in measurable cancer rates. And the safety trend is only improving. The article's author seems very focused on "accidents" that occured back in the 1960's, when nuclear power technology was in its infancy.

Again, another case of the general public (fed by the media) not understanding the true science and statistics behind nuclear power. There doesn't appear to be much negative press about all the routine leaks and spills that are commonplace at refineries and fossil-fuel powerplants, or at gas stations, or dripping from your engine. Probably because no one is afraid of them. If a spill occurs at a oil-burning powerplant, people can see, feel, taste, touch and smell it. Not so with radiation, so people are afraid of any amount of radiation, even if it's less than the amount you receive getting your teeth x-rayed.

Are there politics involved? Maybe. Hopefully not. I hope Obama is smart enough to recognize the nonsense assertion in the Bloomberg article. If Obama's camp uses that story against McCain, and he ends up as our President, then our country will be in a world of hurt with a leader who believes bad science. Whoever becomes our president needs to scientifically embrace clean energy, of which nuclear power is a part.

[hyo silver]

Even a small amount of oil can contaminate surprising volumes of soil and water. Engine leaks are definitely a problem, and more concern isn't such a bad idea.

As for nuclear, yes, there are irrational fears about it, but it really can't be considered 'clean' in the same way that sustainable forms of energy can.

[FL_Prius_Driver]

Unfortunately, there is a little bit of bait and switch going on. The safety of Navy nuclear plants would be applicable if building Navy nuclear propulsion plants was what we were going to generate utility power with. We are not doing that. We are talking about commercial power plants. Utility plants are engineered different, have different safety design, have different everything. Very important, is that financial concerns can pressure a utility to make decisions to put maintenance and safety concerns second to financial concerns.

Additionally, the real issue is not so much the operational safety, but the overall safety of the whole life cycle of the fuel. This spans many thousands of years, not just the 50 years of an operational plant.

This is not a statement for, or against, nuclear plants. That's a seperate thread. This is a post to get the focus off media manipulation and on the real issues worthy of nuclear discussions.

[dogfriend]

Never mind. I realized this isn't FHOP.

[Dave_PH]

Can you guarantee that Homer Simpson won't be working in one?

I don't have a problem with the concept of nuk-you-lar power. Unlike dim witted lefties I don't think 'nuke make weapon, nuke bad' but can private industry with it's cronyism and nepotism or worse yet a government agency following EEOC guidelines be trusted to run something with such potential danger ?

Logically comparing an oil leak from a car to a leak from a nuclear power plant is a false....... something. It's been a long time since I've taken the courses to label it correctly so I'll simplify it to JUST F'ING STUPID.

[Devil's Advocate]

This thread may have started with Hyperbole, but this is EXACTLY the mindset to many environmentalists that view human society as "un-natural" and want a more natural existence. re. go live in a cave.

[darelldd]

Only one thing to say:

EV's don't use engine oil. Power one with nuke's and you've got a win-win situation if there ever was one. :-)

[blamy]

Originally Posted by darelldd

Only one thing to say:

EV's don't use engine oil. Power one with nuke's and you've got a win-win situation if there ever was one. :-)

Would that be a onetime lifetime fillup!

[Dave_PH]

No engine oil at all to reduce wear and tear on parts?

[Dave_PH]

Originally Posted by blamy

Would that be a onetime lifetime fillup!

Yes but you have to get an IAEA inspection every quarter.