Hot Cell Man

Nuclear Power's Second Coming Will Lead to a Uranium Boom

In response to "LiquidSoapDispenser" July 10th entry. Your friend who is the inspector must realize that if there are problems, and they hidden, or not made known to be fixed, the NRC, and or DOE will shut that plant down in a heartbeat. I find it hard to believe that people working for Nuclear plants do not have the fortitude to come forward and speak out about any problem. After 30 years of working for and within a sodium cooled nuclear experimental reactor, the safety was par none. I've never worked in the commercial world, however from everything I've read, and heard they are just as safe. You mention sub-standard parts. Yes, that is a problem, but only if you do not have a good Quality Assurance process, and in order to get a licence to operate a nuclear facility, you have to prove that you have all the necessary conduct of operations in place to operate the facility which includes a good Quality Assurance program. There are teams of people who's main job is to inspect, and audit all the main and sub main functions of a reactor, and their job is to help avoid problems at nuclear reactors and when anything out of specification or compliance, or any problem is found even if it is suspicious in nature those areas or systems are sublect to shutdown and the problem is fixed. If your friend is true to his job as an inspector then he should be reporting these problems. There are whistleblower laws in place to protect him.

Nuclear Power's Second Coming Will Lead to a Uranium Boom

The comment about depleting uranium in 50 to 75 years may be true, however with Sodium Cooled reactors (which have gone away thanks to Jimmy Carter) this problem is solved, because the fuel that is used can also be converted for fuel for Light Water reactors. Yes, there is the Radioactive issue, but as with any enrergy source there is always something, someone won't like,,,,, believe me, the procedures in place for safe nuclear are beyond your comprehension,,,