TW: I support nuclear power. The left-wing opposition has been over the past 30 years is an example of unintended consequences. Throttling nuclear power has increased demand for more traditional power sources that likely create worse environmental damage than nuclear power. I would support fast-tracking nuclear power growth in the US. Obama while certainly not blindly behind nuclear has indicated support for increased nuclear usage.
However, the attached highlights another potential challenge with expanding nuclear power- finding enough uranium to feed the reactors. Obviously mineral reserves are subject to change and expansion as technology and exploration evolve, but as usual there are no free rides.
Nuclear can be a component but the only component of an alternative energy policy.
From Int'l Herald Tribune:
"The best estimates put the amount of uranium that can be mined economically (what geologists call the reserves) at about 5.5 million metric tons, and according to the International Atomic Energy Agency, today's nuclear power plants use 70,000 metric tons a year of uranium. At this rate of use, the uranium that could be mined economically would last about 80 years...Suppose it were possible to replace all fossil fuels with nuclear power. We would have to build enough plants to increase energy production by 17.4 times, which means using 1.2 million tons of uranium ore each year. At that rate of use, the reserves of uranium would be used up in less than five years...
There are some important caveats. Exploring for minerals is done on an as-needed basis, and large areas of the world may have been little explored for uranium. Every mining geologist and mine corporation executive will tell you that estimates of total reserves of a mineral are just that - estimates - and that the reserves of many minerals always increase over time...We need to know a lot more about available uranium resources and where they are. If they are in unfriendly countries, they might not be available at all."
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/20/opinion/edbotkin.php
No comments:
Post a Comment