Japan may raise nuke accident severity level

[Texashiker]

If the severity level is raised, it can only be compared to Chernobyl

See link for full article - http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2011/04/84721.html

I am not associated with that website in any shape, form or fashion.

People still think nuclear power is safe?

 

[her209]

What nuclear accident? I thought we've already moved onto the crisis in Libya. Or are we onto the 2012 budget fight?

 

[dmcowen674]

People still think nuclear power is safe?

Absolutely

 

[Fear No Evil]

We had a massive oil spill in the Gulf effective a massive area contaminated with crude oil. We've had natural gas explosions destroying several city blocks. Drilling for natural gas can contaminate ground water. Coal miners are still dying from black lung disease and mining for it can destroy the environment around it.

What should we use? Unicorn farts? All forms of energy have significant drawbacks. Also keep in mind the design of this reactor is like 40+ years old. We need to learn from this and decide what form of energy is 'safest' and 'economical' because nothing is 'safe' and nobody can afford to pay $2000/month in electric bills.

 

[thraashman]

We had a massive oil spill in the Gulf effective a massive area contaminated with crude oil. We've had natural gas explosions destroying several city blocks. Drilling for natural gas can contaminate ground water. Coal miners are still dying from black lung disease and mining for it can destroy the environment around it.

What should we use? Unicorn farts? All forms of energy have significant drawbacks. Also keep in mind the design of this reactor is like 40+ years old. We need to learn from this and decide what form of energy is 'safest' and 'economical' because nothing is 'safe' and nobody can afford to pay $2000/month in electric bills.

Unicorn farts? You're not considering the devestation you could cause to our unicorn populations!

But seriously, FNE is right (I will never say this again, I swear), we need to work at making what we can safer. Nothing is perfectly safe, doesn't mean we have to stop using it, we just have to take every safety precaution necessary. Nuclear accidents are pretty rare, unfortunately when they happen they're pretty big. We just need to be sure we have contingency plans for if a nuclear accident does occur to contain it.

 

[Double Trouble]

A sad thing to be sure, terrible for the people of Japan and certainly a major setback for nuclear power for sure. I have no concerns about the safety of nuclear power over any other energy source though, it's like people pointing to a plane crash and saying "you still think flying is safe??". The answer is a resounding "yes" despite the few terrible incidents we've seen. We just need to learn from those and keep moving forward.

 

[Muse]

A sad thing to be sure, terrible for the people of Japan and certainly a major setback for nuclear power for sure. I have no concerns about the safety of nuclear power over any other energy source though, it's like people pointing to a plane crash and saying "you still think flying is safe??". The answer is a resounding "yes" despite the few terrible incidents we've seen. We just need to learn from those and keep moving forward.

When a plane crashes the consequence is limited. In an hour or two the damage is done. A nuclear accident like TMI, Chernobyl or Fukushima can have consequences that last thousands of years (for some isotopes, although some have relatively short half lives). Not a good comparison. There could be a very serious aftermath to this in Japan. They can bury their dead and rebuild after the EQ/tsunami damage, but radiation leaking and spewing from the reactors in crisis may not be something they can escape for a long time. Nuclear reactors are the modern Pandora's Box.

The USA doesn't know what to do with all the nuclear waste from its reactor programs. Yucca Mountain fell through.

 

[JSt0rm]

What should we use? Unicorn farts?

Confirming this would be the best idea.