Bush's Nuclear Power Propaganda

George Bush said in the state of the union address Tuesday:

It's in our vital interest to diversify America's energy supply -- the way forward is through technology. We must continue changing the way America generates electric power, by even greater use of clean coal technology, solar and wind energy, and clean, safe nuclear power.

The White House energy policy web page calls it "clean, safe, climate-friendly nuclear energy."

A contrary view from Helen Caldicott in her book Nuclear Power is Not the Answer (p. xi):

When nuclear proponents say that nuclear power can be used to reduce the United States's insatiable reliance on foreign oil, they are simply wrong.  Oil and its by-product gasoline are used to fuel the internal combustion engines in automobiles and trucks.  Oil is also used to head buildings.  But oil does not power the electric grid.  The grid, which is used to power electric lights, computers, VCRs, fans, hair dryers, stoves, refrigerators, air conditioners, and for industrial needs, is powered primarily through the burning of coal, other fossil fuels, and currently, through nuclear power.  (Oil does generate an infinitesimal amount of electricity -- 2% in the United States.)

Comments

[Robert Palgrave]

Nuclear power is indeed not the answer!

SOLAR, NOT NUCLEAR

In many parts of the world, including the US, there is a simple mature technology available that can deliver huge amounts of clean energy without any of the headaches of nuclear power.

I refer to 'concentrating solar power' (CSP), the technique of concentrating sunlight using mirrors to create heat, and then using the heat to raise steam and drive turbines and generators, just like a conventional power station. It is possible to store solar heat in melted salts so that electricity generation may continue through the night or on cloudy days. This technology has been generating electricity successfully in California since 1985 and half a million Californians currently get their electricity from this source. CSP plants are now being planned or built in many parts of the world.

CSP works best in hot deserts and, of course, these are not always nearby! But it is feasible and economic to transmit solar electricity over very long distances using highly-efficient 'HVDC' transmission lines. With transmission losses at about 3% per 1000 km, solar electricity may be transmitted to anywhere in the US. A portion of the Mojave desert would be sufficient to meet the entire current US demand for electricity.

I'd love someone to explain scientifically and rationally why this technology is continually ignored in favour of nuclear for generating electricity. (that's if there is a rational explanation)

Further information about CSP may be found at www.trec-uk.org.uk and www.trecers.net . Copies of the TRANS-CSP report may be downloaded from www.trec-uk.org.uk/reports.htm . The many problems associated with nuclear power are summarised at www.mng.org.uk/green_house/no_nukes.htm .