What would I do? (part 4)
March 28th, 2007 |Totally embrace nuclear power for the United States.
The resistance to nuclear power from fission is due to the concern over the amount and the toxicity of waste. The fact is that nuclear power plants produce far less overall waste than fossil-fuel based plants. In countries with nuclear power, radioactive waste comprises less than 1% of total industrial toxic waste. Plus, if reprocessing was used in the U.S. as it is used in Europe, 95% of the remaining uranium and plutonium in spent nuclear fuel can be recovered.
Once we have a (relatively) clean source of energy in the form of electricity from nuclear power I would set about using electricity for nearly everything. To name a few:
• A national electric powered high speed rail network for the transport of goods and people. This would reduce the need for for fossil fuel based trucking and airline travel.
• An aggressive phase in of electric powered passenger vehicles and trucks.
• Electric home heating systems for air and water.
Basically, I would look at anything that we are currently powering using a fossil fuel and convert it to electricity if possible.
I would also initiate a fully government funded crash program to develop power from nuclear fusion.
