Energize with Nuclear Power
Columbia County, FL (posted
March 16, 2010)
Oil is a diminishing and expensive source of energy,
and coal is dirty.
Alternative energy sources, including solar and
wind power, can only provide 10% to 20% of our energy
requirements.
President Obama has increased government loan
guaranties for new nuclear power plants from $18.5
billion to $54.5 billion, which should give impetus to
the nuclear power industry.
There are 20 nuclear plants undergoing
decommissioning, and we could construct new 2,000
megawatt units at these sites for a reduced investment
by using the existing infrastructure. Nuclear plants
have provided clean, cheap and safe power from 104
units. The only accident was at Three Mile Island, where
almost all of the radiation was contained in the
containment building. Subsequently, the NRC made changes
in how it regulates nuclear power plants, and this has
significantly reduced any risk to public safety.
We have to address the problem of leaking radioactive
wastewater from underground pipes. The solution might be
using higher quality pipes or moving the pipes above
ground where they can be easily monitored.
Another problem is the disposal of nuclear
waste, which has been collecting on plant sites. The
solution is to neutralize and recycle the waste. France
has perfected a process to recycle nuclear waste, and it
is able to generate 80% of its energy requirements from
nuclear power.
We need more nuclear power plants to counter
the effects of global warming, eliminate foreign oil
purchases, and reduce the use of fossil fuels.
Donald A. Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
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Mr. Moskowitz earned a B.S. in
Meteorology from Penn State and an MBA from Babson
College. He was a meteorologist/oceanographer in the
US Navy for six years and worked as a program
manager for processing and environmental consulting
companies for 23 years, implementing air quality and
water quality monitoring programs throughout the
country, including nuclear power plants. Before Mr.
Moskowitz retired in 2007, he was president of his
own corporation for 17 years.
