This is a interesting discussion.
So it seems we all believe that the economy is overly dependant on imported
oil, both from a strategic as well as an environment viewpoint.
One alternative several in congress are pushing for is that we should abandon
the Alaskan Arctic Wildlife refuge and open it up to oil exploration. This
would theoretically improve domestic oil supply - at least temporarily, and
reduce dependance on OPEC.
Now which is a more environmentally friendly option: a) artic oil exploration
on previously reserved wilderness areas or b) start building nuclear plants
again.
Some choice, huh? ;-(
What is disturbing to me is that all the "new ideas" people come up, none of
seem to ever question the obvious - the concept of reducing demand, changing
lifestyle, managing population pressures ;-(
Given the current f*cked up energy situation, I think its inevitable that
nuclear (even with all its downfalls) is something that should still be openly
considered, hopefully just as a temporary bridge, weaning us towards an
eventual more sustainable situation.
I think most here would disagree with me on the nuclear energy front, but thats
ok dialogue is good!
greg
Don Bowen wrote:
> >Dixie Lee Ray wrote a book about some of this and presented a
> >positive view of nuclear energy. She seems to be part of a
> >group who still believe the future is nuclear. As best i can
> >tell it is based on the belief that all the problems can be
> >solved and science is the all powerful tool. This group
> >usually accepts continued growth and possible space travel to
> >run away from earth's problems. Personally, i find this to
> >be fantasy. As our culture tries to separate from nature
> >they believe in their power to control the future.
>
> I had forgotten about this book. If I remember correctly it was about the
> time of the TMI problems and the industry needed apologists. It was a very
> well written fluff piece that almost used the "too cheap to meter"
> matra. Her point is that if we rush headlong into building as many plants
> as possible as soon as possible, we could turn our back on OPEC.
>
> She answered problems of nuclear power by saying that there is no problem
> that cannot be solved by engineering. This is true but at what cost?
>
> Don Bowen [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Valley Center, CA Senior Software Engineer
> Internet development and software engineering
>
> http://members.cts.com/crash/d/donb
> http://www.oldengine.org/members/ihc14
> http://www.oldengine.org/members/ferguson/
