Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
Not sure how I can possibly follow a story about pols at the Tartan Hooters, Paul, but here goes...
We were gaveled into the Minnesota House for a three-hour session today to vote on a bill that lifts the moratorium on nuclear power facilities. (You saw that right: Three hours, one bill.) The opposition to the bill wandered from scare tactics -- one legislator emailed the body an animated gif of a three-eyed fish -- to hectoring amendments specifying tests (completed with legislated thresholds) and to claims that those who supported lifting the moratoriums were ignorant of how nuclear physics actually works. The bill passed with at least ten Democrats voting for it.
There are two things about the day that struck me. Despite the histrionics in the chamber, there was almost nobody standing outside when we were done. Where was the uproar? The environmental lobby certainly turned out its emails and letters and even a well-timed story about one of our current plants, yet not one person with a placard on our way in or out that I saw. I was a college student in New England during the Three Mile Island incident, a young assistant professor for Chernobyl. You just had come to expect strong passions about nuclear energy. And now? Pffft. All the old flower children were now in the House, and not outside. The contrast to Wisconsin couldn't have been sharper.
Perhaps this is due to my second point, which is that this does so very little. Even without the moratorium -- no sure thing, given Governor Dayton's sympathies -- you still have licenses to get, spent fuel storage problems, and huge construction costs to be compensated by public utility commissions that have a mix of former industry officials, union bosses whose membership wants to build, and a few of those aging flower children. Building a nuclear facility is still a tremendously risky activity, and financial markets detest risk more than ever right now. Are we pushing on a string?
So my question to members is to put on a scale between 1 (least) and 10 (most) how important the energy question is right now in general, and then a second rating for how big an impact nuclear energy will have on solving our energy problems?
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Comments :
May '10
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
energy's importance as an issue: 7
impact of nuclear power on addressing it: 8
Oct '10
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
Am not suprised. Not to be off target, save it seems there are Tritrium alternatives to the conventional nuclear tech. That is, if I spelled that correctly. No one seems to be interested as they are invested in the current model for the next 60 years... Not that one wants to say nuclear power is green in any way, at least there is a different tech that eliminates the waste issue. Power independence rates a 10...Be bold...
Edited on Feb 17, 2011 at 10:02pmJan '11
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
energy's importance as an issue: 9.
impact of nuclear power in addressing it: a slow curve up from 1 to 7 - it takes time to get nuclear plants online - then, who knows? Maybe by then someone will have invented a really good portable energy storage system that will make electric cars practical.
Jun '10
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
They're all in Madison. They might have to lure some rent-a-mobs out of retirement to work St. Paul. I hope there's enough handicapped parking around the Capitol.
Oct '10
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
With economic growth offering the only possible escape from our financial morass, stability in energy production costs is an absolute requirement. Nuclear energy presents us with surmountable problems. The issues are well identified as are viable approaches to long term solutions.
Now, how about right-to-work legislation and decertification of public employee unions?
Jan '11
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
energy's importance as an issue: 8
impact of nuclear power on addressing it: 9
It's by far the best solution we have to growing energy needs. William Tucker gave a great lecture on this which was reproduced in Imprimis in 2008: The Case for Terrestrial (a.k.a. Nuclear) Energy.
Oct '10
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
The answers are: 8.7 and 5.3!
Oct '10
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
America has no energy problem. We have a problem with politics in the grip of a nihilistic left. As with the majority of problems America suffers, the only solution is to defeat the left. Any proposal that can undermine them in the eye of the electorate will do. Nuke power is a great one. Not because it solves an energy problem, but because it helps pave the way past the left's hatred for all things America. Importance of defeating the left...10. Nuke as an issue to defeat the left...8.
Keep your eye on the ball!!
Edited on Feb 18, 2011 at 5:03amJun '10
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
Energy independence is a 10, given the fragile state of the Middle East. I know enough physics to respect the dangers of nuclear power, not be irrationally fearful of it. But I don't know enough to have an intelligent opinion on what the best mix of energy sources should be to meet the goal of energy independence & affordability while being responsible stewards of the environment. I'll let the smart people figure that out. Unfortunately, politics and fear mongering too often trump science.
May '10
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
King Banaian, Guest Contributor:
Even without the moratorium -- no sure thing, given Governor Dayton's sympathies -- you still have licenses to get, spent fuel storage problems, and huge construction costs to be compensated by public utility commissions that have a mix of former industry officials, union bosses whose membership wants to build, and a few of those aging flower children.
There's an economic metaphor. It reminds me of Obama wondering why businesses aren't hiring while Obamacare looms.
Low energy prices would be a boon to our struggling economy, since electricity and gasoline costs affect every business in the nation. But new nuclear plants are about as likely as new lands opened up for drilling until we get a Republican in the Oval Office.
If we deal with our debts, then energy will be important. If we don't, energy availability won't save us.
Aug '10
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
My son had to address this 2 years ago for the debate season. I got him the book, Power to Save the World by Gwyneth Cravens to help with his research. She details her transformation from a nuclear power protester to an advocate.
Of course, the uranium cycle is not the only one out there. I prefer the Thorium cycle. "The thorium fuel cycle claims several potential advantages over a uranium fuel cycle, including greater abundance, superior physical and nuclear properties of fuel, enhanced proliferation resistance, and reduced plutonium and actinide production." - from Wikipedia.
Dec '10
Re: Did Wisconsin steal our demonstrators?
For the reasons stated above and in the main post, nuclear energy will not have a viable input to our system for many years. However, perceptions drive markets. The perception that we are willing to pursue nuclear energy will impact international markets.
Anything, (anything !) we can do to make that impact will help, including fracing in the Bakken, or moving towards accessing our huge natural gas reserves. Whatever price we pay, today, for a gallon of gas, it would be more if we didn't make efforts to access our own energy supplies.
You are doing the Lord's work. Dr. Banian.