"On the contrary, some of Rossi's messages indicate that safety is a big issue,
and it is not assured."
Safety is an issue, but it is not the big issue. The big issue is proving to
the
world this technology works. If it is proven this technology works then it will
be implemented around the world. Some nations might be slow about it, but it
will happen.
"There is entrenched opposition to cold fusion within the DoE, the APS, the
Patent Office, the Scientific American and some other institutions. I have not
heard that the NCR is opposed to it. I doubt they know anything about it. They
probably have no idea it exists. Let us not assume they will oppose it."
I am sure they know it exists. They might not be taking it seriously.
"The opposition stems from academic politics. It is not caused by "Big Oil" or
other industries that fear competition. As far as I know, Big Oil does not have
a clue that cold fusion exists. (As far as I know may extend a little further
than how far you know, because I have some insight into the extent of public
knowledge from reader interactions and traffic at LENR-CANR.org.)"
I disagree. I think big oil is opposed to cold fusion. I know Saudi Arabia will
be panicing if this technology is proven valid. How can nations with almost all
of their exports based on oil not be opposed?
"1. If 5 or 10 working reactors to provide process heat, or power generators,
are deployed in Italy or anywhere in the First World, word will get back to
European and U.S. regulatory authorities. Word will also get back to the APS
and
the DoE sooner or later. They may even be forced to believe it. Maybe not; but
people's ability to deny reality is remarkable. Consider, for example, that the
Japanese military did not want to surrender even after two nuclear weapons were
dropped on Japan."
I think that if multiple reactors are working around the world producing energy
that is sold on the market the DOE and other agencies will believe it.
"2. In my opinion, if the NRC and equivalent European regulators do not step in
and insist that the Rossi devices be turned off immediately, they will be
grossly negligent. Criminally negligent. These devices MUST be subjected to
extensive safety testing before being deployed. I mean tests costing hundreds
of
millions of dollars. If one of the reactors goes out of control and hurts
someone or kills someone, in my opinion that would be such a serious matter it
would call for a Congressional Investigation in the U.S., and in Europe or
Japan
it would be reason enough to bring down a government, or at least compel the
Prime Minister to fire the regulatory and Energy Department heads."
No, they will not be negligent. They will be saying, "We don't care if the
economy collapses due to a lack of clean energy. We are the boss!"
How many people get killed each year from ordinary boilers, gas canisters, home
fires, etc? Just because one person died from one of these devices would not
mean that a congressional investigation should take place.
"As much as I support cold fusion, the notion that it should be deployed by
amateurs without careful testing and regulations strike me as lunacy. Not only
is that likely to kill someone, it is likely to seriously damage the reputation
of cold fusion."
Who cares about the reputation of cold fusion? Right now to the mainstream it
does not exist! The goal should be to PROVE that it works, make SAFE reactors
(I
think Rossi's reactors are safe), and sell them. Then if people want to do
additional testing to make SAFER designs that is fine. But lets not go crazy
about safety issues. Everything we do in life is dangerous. I am in danger due
to this space heater in my room. It could catch my home on fire if I use it
wrong.
"As I said before, if the NRC or some other regulatory agency declares Rossi's
devices must be tested and regulated, that would be tantamount to declaring
that
cold fusion is real. A fake device cannot be subject to regulation by a nuclear
safety agency. At most, it would call for an investigation from an agency to
prevent consumer fraud. If a consumer fraud investigator or a state ADA shows
up
at a factory and finds a 1 MW power reactor in operation, with the
owner satisfied the thing is working according to the sales contract, the
investigator will have no case and no authority to intervene."
"I have no problem if they want to test the devices. However, they have no
right
to prevent them from being manufactured and used."
"I would welcome NRC intervention. In the long term, it would help Rossi,
although in the short term it would put the kibosh on his plans. I think his
plans are unrealistic in any case."
Then you are an enemy of cold fusion.
I think his plans are great.
If we get the govt involved it could be another ten years before they approve a
cold fusion device.
If we do not get them involved we could have commercial cold fusion devices in
much less time than that.
- Jed
