Wind Turbines Could Theoretically Power the Entire World, and Then Some

[Peikko 1,575]

Yeah, I am sure the reason why governments globally haven't embraced such simple solutions is because they all behave like 'sissy girls' when faced with the word 'nuclear'.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You do - which is why you use nuclear as a short term transition.

With all due respect, that's ridiculous.

What does "short term" mean? The cost of building a nuclear power station cannot possibly be amortized over anything less than decades. You don't invest in nuclear plants unless you are prepared to operate them for many years out.

More importantly, the nuclear waste has elements with half-lives of tens of thousands of years. They will be dangerously radioactive for many times that.

There is no current plan for disposal of spent rods. The plan of the last two decades to use Yucca Mountain has now been officially scrapped by the Obama Administration (it was all but dead even during the Bush administration). We have no current plan. Nuclear facilities across the country are holding their waste in "temporary" holding pools (see map). This is both a seismic concern (earthquakes could release massive radiation) and a terrorism concern (each power plant in the country becomes an attractive target to saboteurs).

I'm not against nuclear power. I'm for it. But there are massively serious concerns and problems that need to be addressed here.

You mean we can't build a nuke plant to run for 6 months? That I seriously did not know

Decades, yes.

[NickD 203]

Recall seeing a postcard at our airport, back said Wisconsin at night? Front of that card was pitch black. That's a bad joke, WI is lite up like a Christmas tree at night.

Can't believe our DOT, built a ten mile four lane expressway right through the center of our town lined with 250 W mercury vapor lamps, about every hundred feet on both sides. Dang road is brighter at night than during the day. To add insult to injury, reduced the speed limit from 55 down to 35, and yes, you will get stopped by our HMS police if you forget to turn your headlamps on. Still can't get use to that, all my secret roads and short cuts are now dead end streets, takes twice as long to get anywhere.

Must be an insurance regulation or something, when driving down main street at night, every store and office building has blinding lights on, can't even tell if the store is closed until until you find the front door is locked. Not only true here, but everywhere in the USA. And this is being done during a 40 year old energy crisis?

We do have a coal fired plant 30 miles from us, have to say with my MCS nose, not getting any headaches nor can even detect an odor, but don't get me behind a dieseled powered school bus.

This photo says it all.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I thought the reason nuclear was ditched was a combo of expense (which may not be the same issue as other forms of fuel costs have increased) and the proliferation of nuclear material suitable for weapons getting into the wrong hands. What I do know is that it is not simply because environmentalists don't like it. That's a joke if ever I heard one

I think at last count something like 80% of France's power comes from nuclear sources.

I think the issues with it in the US are largely political - bad memories of Three Mile Island (and Chernobyl, to a lesser extent).

[scandal 951]

We have a solution for nuclear waste if we could just find the political will to do it. We have the technology to vitrify the waste and bury it at Yucca. The decision to not use it was terrible. It has to be safer there than in all these holding pools.

Once in a while Gary, just once in a while ... we agree about things. It's a nice feeling. Should happen more often.

(BTW ... see the concentration of waste sites in CA? Particularly the bunch of 4-5 in the Bay area, right on the Hayward and San Andreas fault lines? Yikes!

Edited June 24, 2009 by scandal

[Down With PMP 0]

I think the issues with it in the US are largely political - bad memories of Three Mile Island (and Chernobyl, to a lesser extent).

In other words, the arguments are from hysterical sissy girls who hide behind environmental arguments when the true root of their opposition is just a character flaw so pernicious that they should be barred from voting and speaking in public.

[GaryC 7]

I think the issues with it in the US are largely political - bad memories of Three Mile Island (and Chernobyl, to a lesser extent).

In other words, the arguments are from hysterical sissy girls who hide behind environmental arguments when the true root of their opposition is just a character flaw so pernicious that they should be barred from voting and speaking in public.

Hmm... AJ, is that you?

[Ban Hammer 13,395]

Oh no...please don't ruin our view with wind turbines...

that explains why san fran is so jacked up, their wires are crossed!

[Ban Hammer 13,395]

yeah, let's just ditch coal. and show the world just how stupid we really are.

the usa is called the "saudi arabia" of coal, as about half of the world's reserves are here in the usa.

yeah, let's just stop using that natural resource. let's not even worry about clean coal plants.

the head in rectal defilade with some people on this site just amazes me.

[Down With PMP 0]

Sell the coal. Plenty of third-world dictators out there who don't care about the environment. We can still get paid.

[scandal 951]

yeah, let's just ditch coal. and show the world just how stupid we really are.

the usa is called the "saudi arabia" of coal, as about half of the world's reserves are here in the usa.

yeah, let's just stop using that natural resource. let's not even worry about clean coal plants.

the head in rectal defilade with some people on this site just amazes me.

We can also take a page from the South Africans (and WWII Germans) and start liquifying coal into petroleum.

Also, let's not forget the vast quantities of oil shale in Nevada, and Athabasca tar sands in Alberta. There's still lots of usable fossil fuels here in politically stable North America rather than in the Persian Gulf.

[Ban Hammer 13,395]

Sell the coal. Plenty of third-world dictators out there who don't care about the environment. We can still get paid.

yeah, that should go over well with the global warming crowd.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The issues are pretty well defined, in my view - its about ensuring abundant energy at minimum negative impact to the environment. At least that's been the focus of the debate for the last 30 years or so...

But as long as someone can turn a profit from it who cares what we burn/pillage/rape/kill?

Its a good thing we live in the 21st century, a few of the comments here might lead to the conclusion that we're living in the 19th.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

The future look of America?

A stark difference...

Uhm - you would still have those -- how do you think they will pass along the power generated? (since most wind generators are up in hills/desolate areas)

Steven and technology don't mix. But he feels therefore he is.