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Utahns closer to backing nuclear plant?
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Coal-fired plants are poisoning our atmosphere. We don't have enough windpower available to support all of our energy needs. Oil-powered is out of the question. We don't have good choices for hydro-electric plants.
More people have died from the effects of burning coal and/or oil for power, than have died from properly-maintained nuclear plants.
Even up close, Three Mile Island isn't scary....and the air was MUCH cleaner in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, than it is here.
Until fusion becomes a viable energy source (or if it ever becomes a way to produce energy), nuclear power is by far the most sensible, safe and eco-friendly way to generate power. As long as we don't create a bunch of light metal behemoths (Chernobyl-style reactors) and allow poor maintenance and oversight, nuclear power plants are without equal. We would need several smog belching coal plants or a windmill farm about the size of Utah to compete with one nuclear plant. Additionally, we've pretty much maxed out the hydroelectric potential of our waterways (at least given the ecological backlash against large reservoirs displacing riparian habitat.)
While there are valid concerns about nuclear power, there are sensible solutions to its challenges. I hope more people confront their knee-jerk response to nuclear power and actually learn about its potential.
Where those directions can not meet the demand from a growing population, the choice must be made between polluting the air and increasing global warming with coal, or with managing potential threats of accidental release of radiation with uranium.
While neither option is great, if either coal or uranium must be used, we'd be better with the potential problems of mismanaged nuclear materials, as opposed to the guaranteed and certain problems of coal power with more CO2, SO2, and particulates, not to mention the land and water damaging problems where the coal is mined.
But while it all is being decided, our best immediate options now include turning down the winter thermostat, use flourescent lights, add more insulation, and put on a sweater.
So, nuclear is clean for the environment generation wise, smaller footprint, lots of power and will help keep Utah's air clean. I believe this will also reduce our demand for natural gas generation and hopefully reduce those prices as well.
Build a nuclear power plant in Utah!
Those who live near a coal-fired power plant get mercury and other pollutants dropped on them. Not so with nuclear.
This survey just is another example that the majority opinion can be wrong.
Wake up Utah. Join the real world, quit living in yhe 19th century!!!!!!!!!!
Transportation of nuclear materials has an equally impressive safety record 50 years long. So why not?