Facts Elude Some Energy Big Wigs
Submitted by Joe Shuster
At 1:30 PM on Feb 17th 2010, there was a disservice done to America when a few anti-nuclear scientists used their status to misinform the public with the very kind of statements that have kept the nuclear debate going in the U.S. to the detriment of common sense. They put forward 40 year old arguments and even a 1956 quote from my hero, Admiral Rickover, to make their point. I very much doubt he would agree with them today. They claim to be presenting the findings from a major new “study” from the International Panel on Fissile Material (IPFM). While some statements are partially true, the conclusions are nonsensical, because it is certain that we cannot have a fossil-fuel-free world without nuclear and specifically fast reactors such as the Integral Fast Reactor (IFR).
These scientists have every right to their opinion, but the public would have been much better served if they had convened a more balanced panel. They were all of like mind. What does bother me immensely is that these men and some organizations assume a great deal of authority, but will they assume the responsibility if they are wrong? Further, and unbelievably, they offer no reasonable alternative. The fact of the matter is that the world lucked out having nuclear power available at a time when fossil fuels are running out and conservation and intermittent renewables can fill only part of the resulting energy gap. See report titled Energy Independence Day July 4th 2040.
Frank von Hippel Ph.D. is co-chair of IPFM and a professor at Princeton University. My wish is that he gets his head out of the academic clouds and helps the country with some practical solutions
Mycle Schneider, from Paris, France in his presentation failed to recognize the learning curve progression of any new technology. Scientists at the cutting edge of this technology would take issue with his conclusions. Further, his country knows that metal fueled fast reactors are the future, and would love to have access to U.S. technology.
M.V. Ramana, Ph.D. is a visiting research scholar who works for von Hippel. He is hardly an independent presenter as he parrots his boss.
And then there is Thomas B. Cochran from the National Resources Defense Council who helped von Hippel encourage the shut down of the country’s fast-breeder reactor program during the Clinton administration—the best program in the world and one that had already proved wrong much of what he asserts now. Shutting down this program is one of the great tragedies of our time. I would be much more confident in the nation solving its energy problems if the proposed pilot plant had been built as scheduled. It would have confirmed the many advances that had been made in fast reactors and the safe recycling of light-water-reactor “spent” fuel to be used in fast reactors. A recycling and a fast reactor pilot plant should be built immediately. Time is becoming a huge factor. It is running out.
If you are wondering, do I take this personally? You bet I do, because I believe these men are dangerous, and are playing with my grand children’s future. Beware of any person or organization that assumes undue authority on important issues, but ultimately cannot be held accountable.
Respectfully presented by:
Joe Shuster, Chemical Engineer/entrepreneur and
Author of Beyond Fossil Fools
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