Let’s have a no-nuke future

Proposed legislation promoting 200 new U.S. nuclear reactors is foolhardy. Construction costs will continue to escalate, exceeding $10 billion each before any could be operational 10 years hence; $2 trillion for completion would become the largest energy boondoggle in U.S. history.

Furthermore, despite claims it's "clean,” dirty fossil fuel is expended, deadly radioactive waste created throughout the nuclear energy cycle, with no safe method to reprocess or store it forever. This waste, now stored on site, may be shipped to some dump, whereby it would traverse many population centers. For everybody’s safety, we are obligated to end our dependence on nuclear power.

Instead we must opt for more economical and safer options, conservation and putting our resources into clean and renewable energy.

The Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future will soon issue recommendations for managing radioactive waste. They are considering a nuclear reprocessing plant, which South Carolina officials eagerly desire. It would extract plutonium from high-level nuclear waste for ensuring another century of nuclear weapons or producing dangerous fuel.

Consequently, much would traverse Western North Carolina, creating potential hazards of radioactive incidents.

A disposal site would eventually be required. Since Sandy Mush was considered 25 years ago, then deferred, it might be reconsidered, in which case, that would be permanent.

Let’s have a no-nuke future, with investment in safe, sustainable energy and employment. Our actions now could determine our future.

Contact Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future in opposition to “recycling” nuclear waste and transportation of this waste through our mountains at BRC@nuclear.energy.gov.

— Lew Patrie, M.D.
WNC Physicians for Social Responsibility
Asheville

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

2 thoughts on “Let’s have a no-nuke future

  1. indy499

    Great idea, Lew. If nuclear is bad, and so is oil, gas and coal, there isn’t much left. Wind turbines kill 400,000 birds a year in the US so I guess that’s out. A little hydro, tidal and geothermal should support 30 or 40,000,000 Americans. What should the other 275 million do?

  2. travelah

    burn cow dung and make all your clothes and stuff out of hemp and drive tiny electric vehicles when you are not riding your bicycle. maybe get an ox with a cart and barter oats and barley for candles and corn. have your neighbor pull that bad tooth when it goes bad and make your sandals out of old tires and stuff. learn to sit on a three legged stool and make paper out of pressed reeds.

    why don’t you unplug, get off the grid and give your nirvana a good try, eh doc?

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.