Nuclear waste leads to major problems to not only the environment but also the living species. This article deals with environmental issues regarding the expose of the nuclear waste which is causing harmful chemicals to pollute the environment. Pollution is a huge issue in our world today. The Yucca Mountains is a region in Nevada where these nuclear wastes is being put. I believe the Yucca Mountains should not be a spot for such harmful chemicals to be kept. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act is an act for the government to provide and build a secure place to put these nuclear wastes. And nuclear waste is still being put in the Yucca Mountains? After how many years….ALOT? Money is put to blame for not finishing up the project to construct a plant. I don’t know put this sounds like a governmental crime to me.
Nuclear waste...That's the problem and there is a solution. Why haven't we done this sooner? I think the government uses money on things that aren't necessary at the time and they could be focusing more on this project here. Turning one of our regions into a place to hold waste isn't safe and doesn't make our home beautiful. If this project saves people money in the long run and provides us more fuel then I don't see why this wasn't done earlier instead of being ignored. I can see this as a governmental crime like Biz. It deals with governmental neglect and hopefully something is done soon now that there is hope and that it wont be as difficult as some people thought. $35 billion, money that electricity consumers have paid since the Waste Fund <<---our solution right there, This country uses that much money all the time that isn't necessary and with something that will benefit everyone i believe that it is something worth the time and money.
Lets just juggle our problems and not make up our mind on where to appoint spending and see how much we can squander..... This has been the whole story of the Obama Administration!!! First of all if there's 35 Billion in interest why the hell hasn't it been used to finish this project by now and create jobs.... Instead these stupid politicians once again continue to get raises by their own hand... and the deadline set by congress, well that says a LOT about congress and the way they enforce... like a dog with no teeth sounds like to me.... Though the storage of the waste is a controversial issue it is a problem and needs to be handled.... Finish what you start and stop dancing around an issue and MAKE UP YOUR DAMN MIND OBAMA!!!
Nuclear waste is a big issue. This project could have been finish a long time ago but our government didn't bother. If nuclear waste could save us a money, and money is what the government cares about the most, I don't see why this project wasn't finished. Nuclear waste will harm our planet and us citizens living in it. The government will regret not finishing this project....
An 11-year-old baby sitter is charged with the death of a 2 year old. The 11 year old is the daughter of a co-worker of the victim. After arriving to pick up her baby, the mother called 911 from the baby sitter’s house. Upon arriving at the hospital, the baby was pronounced dead. The autopsy report found blunt force trauma to the head, torso and buttock.
Even if, the eleven year-old is guilt of child abuse and is a cruel child herself. I would have to wonder why the hell is a baby being left with a little girl herself? A child cannot have the capability of taking care of another child. Also there is some important information being left out like, was the eleven year old alone with the baby or did she have help? Either way I think the mother is also guilty for leaving her child in poor care. Another thing to consider is whether or not this eleven year old will be trialed in adult or juvenile court. I think if that little girl is a sick girl and has no conscience then she should be trialed as an adult.
Historian in Russia found corpses of 29 women. He had these women wrapped around the face and body. He also stole clothing from the gravesites and dressed them. He had many dolls and clothing in his apartment as well. He was found with a map to the gravesites as well. He is being charged with desecrating bodies and graves.
I cant possibly understand why he would steal dead women from their graves…. Maybe as a historian he had a fascination with mummification. I can only imagine what the family of these women felt when they found out their loved one was taken from their graves. It’s also creepy that he had a specific age and sex that he chose to steal from the grave sight. I want to say he has some sort of mental disorder.
Because I don’t know much about reprocessing, I can’t really agree or disagree with the fact that it would be both cost effective and supply effective. If this really is true, and reprocessing would mean that, “America has an assured supply of base-load electricity, and reductions in nuclear waste and greenhouse-gas emissions,” then, I am all for this reprocessing technology. The only thing that of course concerns me is the potential, “that plutonium could be used to make nuclear weapons.” I am also, upset at the grand amount of, “more than 65,200 metric tons of used fuel now stored at scores of nuclear plant sites around the country.” In my personal opinion 65,200 metric tons is a lot, and my questions are: how safe is the current storage policies, and additionally, for how long will the current storage policy be effective and safe? I would imagine that we would be a little more concerned about the proper and permanent storage of all potentially safe hazardous chemicals. Then again, I am not surprised that we are doing nothing about it and probably spending that money on paying for political wages etc. (just saying -__-)
The problem isn’t money because the American people have been paying extra money each month with their electric bill into a fund that was set aside to deal with nuclear waste. The problem is no one wants to take this money and spend it where it was intended to be spent. I think the government needs to find something productive to do with the Yucca Mountain project and pour the money into reprocessing the spent fuel. I don’t know how much nuclear waste is in the Yucca Mountain area but if it is reasonable, maybe the waste should be removed and reprocessed also. Apparently, there is a plant in Savannah River, South Carolina that was being constructed to do the reprocessing of the nuclear waste. As the article says, “Constructing a new reprocessing facility today would provide thousands of jobs and substantial revenue.” Would this not begin to help solve the unemployment problem along with using nuclear waste to make more energy for our country to use? This also may be a way to use what we already have and not have to deal with all the side effects of drilling in the Barnett Shale. Just some food for thought.
It is amazing to learn that this problem has been going on since 1977, when Jimmy Carter abandoned the project of constructing a waste processing center. Here it is 2011, and we are still dealing with this issue. I don't know about you but knowing that there is 65,200 metric tons of nuclear waste sitting around the US makes me a little nervous. With all of the natural disasters happening...earthquakes in Oklahoma...what's next. The plant for reprocessing surplus plutonium into a mixed-oxide fuel sounds the most promising. Along with the fact that Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint are supporting building of this facility in Savannah River sounds encouraging as long as safety regulations are enforced and further pollution is not created.
Ha, politicians from certain political parties and environmental activist have somehow hi-jacked this issue. Politicians seem to listen to environmental activist that fund their campaigns. Go on television and tell the American people that another commission will look into this matter and make suggestions with what needs to be done in regards to nuclear waste. In typical style, politicians have the answers. More research is needed WHY. These commissions are useless and serve no purpose and fail to address the issues. Maybe the commission knows that our current president already sold them out and halted this project as a political favor to dingy Reid. The Federal government is violating the environmental laws according to their own deadline and that is shameful on their part. America is sitting on a ticking time bomb, and no new solutions are being introduced why and whose needs are being meet. It seems that the answer is simple to this complex issue-build new nuclear power plants. The United States has the necessary technology and regulations to make this happen. In short, politicians get on the ball and do something about this major issue.
We are talking about nuclear waste here and about how long this project has been ignored- definitely seems like a governmental crime to me. It is stated in the article that there is a total of more than $35 billion paid to the Nuclear Waste Fund, and where the hell is it? Obviously being spent elsewhere other than what it should be on. If this would help our environment and create more jobs, then why keep waiting to get fixed... Simply seems like governmental neglect. I don't know if ya'll recall, but in class, the presentation over Gas Drilling Response stated that 351 million tons of Nuclear Waste and Biproducts were being put into the Yucca Mountain region, which to me, is certainly not a region where I would like to be around. Government response waste to "store it" in barrels, is this the way to go then?
Once again America finds some loophole to get out of complying with the law. I can’t even say that I am the least bit surprised. Although the methods for storing waste above ground is, safe I still worry about radiation being present in the air. This has long been an issue and the government has yet to do anything about it. And the fact that President Barack Obama has halted the Yalta Mountain project has done nothing but set the United States back. I don’t think that they realize that storing the waste above ground in abandoned nuclear plants is a short term solution. That is the problems with Americans and America in general is they are always worried and focused on the right now, instead of focusing on what is going to be beneficial to the country in the long run. I just hope they figure it out soon, before the last resort is storing waste at the bottom of the ocean and contaminating the population.
“If we reprocess the spent fuel, we would not only reduce the amount of nuclear waste, but would also increase the nuclear fuel supply.” No kidding! With that being said I agree with the idea of resumption of reprocessing. With all the left over nuclear waste and supply that we have – why not just use the remnants to pack into what nuclear weapons we create today? If Great Britain and France can do recycle, we can definitely recycle better. There should have been more attention towards the Yucca Mountain project, but as always the “non-important” things are left out on the budget. I don’t know much about the Savannah River area. Unless there is some sort of human contact with anything that goes in or comes out, I’m for it. But living species around or in contact with nuclear materials on our continent just does not sound delightful to me.
The problem with waste management is apparent. This has been a problem for years but when does it become enough of a problem to fix? The government eventually is going to be forced to fix this problem for one reason or another. Is it going to take a disaster for the government to realize this is a problem? When this problem does get fixed who is going to decide the proper way to dispose of the waste or is there even a proper way? I feel that even when the government does come around and fix this the people are just going to complain about that decision. I see this as an endless circle of complaining and passing the blame.
It seems that since consumers have been paying for these projects, they should be completed. This is just another way that the government doesn’t use the provided funds for their supposed purpose. We need to be reusing and not wasting. It would cut down on the amount of energy currently being produced that emits the harmful greenhouse gases that everyone is worried about. It would also supply much needed jobs. The Yucca Mountain project needs to be completed with the funds that have already been supplied by the consumers. Then we can work on either the Savannah River project or come up with another way to reuse our nuclear waste for a greater purpose. The government is so worried about the budget crisis, but the money is already there for these projects, unless the government had misappropriated these funds also.
This definitely seems the government has their mind not on protecting the lives and environment of their country. They seem to be more focused on wanting to be the "so-called" powerhouse in nuclear weapons. Hmmm... If I recall, is best to do what the people want, since the government reflect the people... The people are paying into the efforts of the projects, yet they abandon them. Personally, if there was a way to reuse spent fuel, I would look further into that. Not only will one cut down the output of waste, but lead to cleaner environment. Going off what many others said, has anyone ever thought of the long term effects of storing nuclear waste in Yucca Mountains. Normally mountains are a sight to behold and much wildlife called the mountains home. So it seems to me that government is neglecting the welfare of the people. Funny how the article says the government is looking for a way to avoid following the law.
This article is dealing with nuclear waste and how long the government has ignored it duty, which definitely seems like a governmental crime to me. The fact that we have been dealing with this problem since 1977 is astonishing to me. I wasn’t even born and my generation is dealing with another generation’s problems, when are we going to break the cycle? My guess is never. Another thing is that all this money that is being spent on this project is ridiculous! The government is just free spending like the economy is in good standing. Does it really cost $10 Billion to dig a hole to put this waste in it? To think that reprocessing this nuclear waste would eliminate nuclear waste is so dumb! You’re just going to waste more money in the end. We are just going to waste more money and hurt the Yucca region and spend more money trying to fix it. An endless cycle of stupidity.
It's very disappointing to read stories like this, where the government ends up harming the environment because it's "easier" politically. Yes, the article said that it isn't exactly dangerous, but at the same time it doesn't seem like the best choice for our environment. The fact that so much money was collected to fix the problem then all of a sudden it was abandoned is a pretty sketchy thing to do. There was probably alot of work that went into that project and it was just thrown out after 20 years of work. It just seems like the planning is just a cover up to try and convince America that the government is actually trying to fix this problem, when in fact no progress has been made. Saying that they are going back to researching is obviously just to buy them time and hope that people will forget this matter. Eventually though, the government needs to step up and solve this problem.
I really hope the government doesn't sit around and wait for a catastrophe like Katrina or the BP oil spill to happen in order for them to realize the major issues our country is facing. The fact that it's been 13 years (and counting)since the 1998 deadline of the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act and the government still hasn't come up with a solution for the possession of nuclear waste is crazy! I am definitely for the reprocessing idea, especially if it lowers the amount of nuclear waste we have in the United States. Like Shirley said, I don't know how comfortable every one else is with the idea of living among 65,200 metric TONS of nuclear waste in the United States, but I'm not. Clearly what we've been doing with the issue of nuclear waste isn't working out for us so well, so why not take on new ideas, such as reprocessing? France and Great Britain have found success in recycling the used nuclear waste into generating more electricity AND reducing the overall amount of nuclear waste. There is no reason that the "greatest country in the world" shouldn't find success such as this as well.
This does not surprise me about this Nuclear Waste Policy Act and the government going around the law and not obeying it. It has been 13 years since the deadline was suppose to be and there is nothing done about it. This is not only bad for us and the environment but it also harms animals. This could go all the way to the human race. If it gets the animals sick and we don't know about it we could also get sick from it. It also does not surprise me that nothing is being done about it. I know we have a lot of other problems but this is also a big problem if we do not fix it. This just scares me and I hope there is not another incident like bp. I am with Stephanie, why can't we recycle them to generate more electricity?
I’m mostly confused because from my understanding there really is no “safe” way to store or dispose of nuclear waste. It doesn’t just dissolve or disappear, it goes somewhere and sits and eventually seeps through the soil, into groundwater and back up into the atmosphere. I hate to sound like a skeptic but I honestly don’t believe that there will ever be proper disposal or reprocessing of the wastes. Mostly because no matter what is done with it there will be people and/or some animal and plant life that are affected by it. The government should come up with a plan, but all-in-all the fact that we have so much waste just sitting around is negligence on behalf of the government in and of itself.
I have to agree with Nicole on this one. I mean we all can see the aftermath of the nuclear meltdown and explosion in Chernobyl. The effects are not good at all! And yet our government chooses to place this nuclear waste in random places where curious people and random wildlife can get into it. Seems like a very not smart move on the part of our government. If there is a way to keep reusing the waste to create energy then perhaps there is some logic to that. If the waste is constantly being reused then there is not any to be left sitting around. But until that point I would suggest that maybe we should quit producing this waste that we have no clue what to do with. Sometimes I would just love to see the government charged with not only negligence but just general stupidity.
the complaints are always going to be there. until someone comes across a flawless way to destroy this waste or store it somewhere that effects no one, there is always going to be something wrong with the method. my vote, send it to the moon. it's completely uninhabitable for humans so why not make use of it. This way would also bring back the space program and put it to some good use.
Reprocessing the used nuclear waste would help reduce the pollution and we would have a designated spot for the waste instead of just dumping it at the Yucca Mountain like the government has allowed for them to do for quite some time now. The government plays a big role in helping reduce the pollution but it seems like they're taking their sweet time in doing anything about it. They keep thinking of ways to store the nuclear waste for a longer amount of time and eventually we will be out of space to do anything about it. The government has waited long enough to do something about the waste and now should be the time to reprocess the waste and turn it into something useful instead of sitting in barrels.
Like Karla, I am not completely familiar with the reprocessing technology so I can’t comment on whether it would beneficial and cost effective. I can, however, comment on the fact that this is just another problem the government has let go on for far too long. Adequately disposing of nuclear waste is something that we’ve been trying to solve for a long time. It seems to me that the solutions we have in place aren’t really working. To begin, storing nuclear waste in orphan sites isn’t really the best idea. It’s a tremendous hazard not only to the environment but to the local communities as well. Digging holes is only a temporary solution, what happens when we run out of places to dig holes? Once again, this harms the environment and the people living in the surrounding areas. Reprocessing sound like a good idea, except for the fact that the plutonium could be utilized to creating nuclear weapons. I believe that if the government instituted rigorous guidelines and monitored the reprocessing, then the potential of making nuclear weapons could at the very least be reduced. In either case, I think doing something is better than doing absolutely nothing at all.
Nuclear energy by far is the safest and most efficient means of producing energy. I feel that we need to exploit its potential. But our government must develop a plan to dispose of its waste properly; nuclear waste is extremely detrimental to the environment. Although we have all this potential, we are too focused in relations with the middle east that we are ignoring what energy source we have readily available in our own country whose production is exploding causing high amounts of waste that has become too much to handle. We need to focus on issues at home rather than sticking our noses where it does not belong.
Nuclear waste and energy is not something to mess around with. It can make a lot of people sick and can lead to death. As Americans we don't want it dumped in our country because we want to keep it clean and our people healthy, but what I don't understand is why would we put that risk on someone else in a different country? I know the "Golden Rule" to some does not really ring true but for me it does. I think that all the countries need to get together and contemplate a succesful way in how to get rid of the wast where its not landing on someone elses shores or beaches and its not going to harm some one...Like Thomas Said we can send it to the moon but it will just end up floating in space forever, and I mean look earth is already contaminated in a way why to that to space?
Nuclear waste and energy is very dangerous and in the wrong circumstances could be very deadly. I feel as though it does have potential and could help us in ways. I think the government needs to find the correct ways to dispose of this and not just keep it stored. Although I cannot state whether or not its cost efficent or cost worthy I can say that the problem does need to be addressed and taken care of. I just hope that soon we will be able to find a compromise to safely dispose of the waste.
Nuclear waste leads to major problems to not only the environment but also the living species. This article deals with environmental issues regarding the expose of the nuclear waste which is causing harmful chemicals to pollute the environment. Pollution is a huge issue in our world today. The Yucca Mountains is a region in Nevada where these nuclear wastes is being put. I believe the Yucca Mountains should not be a spot for such harmful chemicals to be kept. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act is an act for the government to provide and build a secure place to put these nuclear wastes. And nuclear waste is still being put in the Yucca Mountains? After how many years….ALOT? Money is put to blame for not finishing up the project to construct a plant. I don’t know put this sounds like a governmental crime to me.
ReplyDeleteNuclear waste...That's the problem and there is a solution. Why haven't we done this sooner? I think the government uses money on things that aren't necessary at the time and they could be focusing more on this project here. Turning one of our regions into a place to hold waste isn't safe and doesn't make our home beautiful. If this project saves people money in the long run and provides us more fuel then I don't see why this wasn't done earlier instead of being ignored. I can see this as a governmental crime like Biz. It deals with governmental neglect and hopefully something is done soon now that there is hope and that it wont be as difficult as some people thought. $35 billion, money that electricity consumers have paid since the Waste Fund <<---our solution right there, This country uses that much money all the time that isn't necessary and with something that will benefit everyone i believe that it is something worth the time and money.
ReplyDeleteLets just juggle our problems and not make up our mind on where to appoint spending and see how much we can squander..... This has been the whole story of the Obama Administration!!! First of all if there's 35 Billion in interest why the hell hasn't it been used to finish this project by now and create jobs.... Instead these stupid politicians once again continue to get raises by their own hand... and the deadline set by congress, well that says a LOT about congress and the way they enforce... like a dog with no teeth sounds like to me.... Though the storage of the waste is a controversial issue it is a problem and needs to be handled.... Finish what you start and stop dancing around an issue and MAKE UP YOUR DAMN MIND OBAMA!!!
ReplyDeleteNuclear waste is a big issue. This project could have been finish a long time ago but our government didn't bother. If nuclear waste could save us a money, and money is what the government cares about the most, I don't see why this project wasn't finished. Nuclear waste will harm our planet and us citizens living in it. The government will regret not finishing this project....
ReplyDeleteGeorgia baby sitter, 11, charged in death
ReplyDeletehttp://articles.cnn.com/2010-09-21/justice/georgia.baby.sitter_1_baby-sitter-autopsy-apple-juice?_s=PM:CRIME
An 11-year-old baby sitter is charged with the death of a 2 year old. The 11 year old is the daughter of a co-worker of the victim. After arriving to pick up her baby, the mother called 911 from the baby sitter’s house. Upon arriving at the hospital, the baby was pronounced dead. The autopsy report found blunt force trauma to the head, torso and buttock.
Even if, the eleven year-old is guilt of child abuse and is a cruel child herself. I would have to wonder why the hell is a baby being left with a little girl herself? A child cannot have the capability of taking care of another child. Also there is some important information being left out like, was the eleven year old alone with the baby or did she have help? Either way I think the mother is also guilty for leaving her child in poor care. Another thing to consider is whether or not this eleven year old will be trialed in adult or juvenile court. I think if that little girl is a sick girl and has no conscience then she should be trialed as an adult.
Police find mummified corpses in historian's apartment
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnn.com/2011/11/09/world/europe/russia-corpses/index.html?hpt=ju_c2
Historian in Russia found corpses of 29 women. He had these women wrapped around the face and body. He also stole clothing from the gravesites and dressed them. He had many dolls and clothing in his apartment as well. He was found with a map to the gravesites as well. He is being charged with desecrating bodies and graves.
I cant possibly understand why he would steal dead women from their graves…. Maybe as a historian he had a fascination with mummification. I can only imagine what the family of these women felt when they found out their loved one was taken from their graves. It’s also creepy that he had a specific age and sex that he chose to steal from the grave sight. I want to say he has some sort of mental disorder.
Because I don’t know much about reprocessing, I can’t really agree or disagree with the fact that it would be both cost effective and supply effective. If this really is true, and reprocessing would mean that, “America has an assured supply of base-load electricity, and reductions in nuclear waste and greenhouse-gas emissions,” then, I am all for this reprocessing technology. The only thing that of course concerns me is the potential, “that plutonium could be used to make nuclear weapons.” I am also, upset at the grand amount of, “more than 65,200 metric tons of used fuel now stored at scores of nuclear plant sites around the country.” In my personal opinion 65,200 metric tons is a lot, and my questions are: how safe is the current storage policies, and additionally, for how long will the current storage policy be effective and safe? I would imagine that we would be a little more concerned about the proper and permanent storage of all potentially safe hazardous chemicals. Then again, I am not surprised that we are doing nothing about it and probably spending that money on paying for political wages etc. (just saying -__-)
ReplyDeleteThe problem isn’t money because the American people have been paying extra money each month with their electric bill into a fund that was set aside to deal with nuclear waste. The problem is no one wants to take this money and spend it where it was intended to be spent. I think the government needs to find something productive to do with the Yucca Mountain project and pour the money into reprocessing the spent fuel. I don’t know how much nuclear waste is in the Yucca Mountain area but if it is reasonable, maybe the waste should be removed and reprocessed also. Apparently, there is a plant in Savannah River, South Carolina that was being constructed to do the reprocessing of the nuclear waste. As the article says, “Constructing a new reprocessing facility today would provide thousands of jobs and substantial revenue.” Would this not begin to help solve the unemployment problem along with using nuclear waste to make more energy for our country to use? This also may be a way to use what we already have and not have to deal with all the side effects of drilling in the Barnett Shale. Just some food for thought.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to learn that this problem has been going on since 1977, when Jimmy Carter abandoned the project of constructing a waste processing center. Here it is 2011, and we are still dealing with this issue. I don't know about you but knowing that there is 65,200 metric tons of nuclear waste sitting around the US makes me a little nervous. With all of the natural disasters happening...earthquakes in Oklahoma...what's next. The plant for reprocessing surplus plutonium into a mixed-oxide fuel sounds the most promising. Along with the fact that Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint are supporting building of this facility in Savannah River sounds encouraging as long as safety regulations are enforced and further pollution is not created.
ReplyDeleteHa, politicians from certain political parties and environmental activist have somehow hi-jacked this issue. Politicians seem to listen to environmental activist that fund their campaigns. Go on television and tell the American people that another commission will look into this matter and make suggestions with what needs to be done in regards to nuclear waste. In typical style, politicians have the answers. More research is needed WHY. These commissions are useless and serve no purpose and fail to address the issues. Maybe the commission knows that our current president already sold them out and halted this project as a political favor to dingy Reid. The Federal government is violating the environmental laws according to their own deadline and that is shameful on their part. America is sitting on a ticking time bomb, and no new solutions are being introduced why and whose needs are being meet. It seems that the answer is simple to this complex issue-build new nuclear power plants. The United States has the necessary technology and regulations to make this happen. In short, politicians get on the ball and do something about this major issue.
ReplyDeleteWe are talking about nuclear waste here and about how long this project has been ignored- definitely seems like a governmental crime to me. It is stated in the article that there is a total of more than $35 billion paid to the Nuclear Waste Fund, and where the hell is it? Obviously being spent elsewhere other than what it should be on. If this would help our environment and create more jobs, then why keep waiting to get fixed... Simply seems like governmental neglect. I don't know if ya'll recall, but in class, the presentation over Gas Drilling Response stated that 351 million tons of Nuclear Waste and Biproducts were being put into the Yucca Mountain region, which to me, is certainly not a region where I would like to be around. Government response waste to "store it" in barrels, is this the way to go then?
ReplyDeleteOnce again America finds some loophole to get out of complying with the law. I can’t even say that I am the least bit surprised. Although the methods for storing waste above ground is, safe I still worry about radiation being present in the air. This has long been an issue and the government has yet to do anything about it. And the fact that President Barack Obama has halted the Yalta Mountain project has done nothing but set the United States back. I don’t think that they realize that storing the waste above ground in abandoned nuclear plants is a short term solution. That is the problems with Americans and America in general is they are always worried and focused on the right now, instead of focusing on what is going to be beneficial to the country in the long run. I just hope they figure it out soon, before the last resort is storing waste at the bottom of the ocean and contaminating the population.
ReplyDelete“If we reprocess the spent fuel, we would not only reduce the amount of nuclear waste, but would also increase the nuclear fuel supply.” No kidding! With that being said I agree with the idea of resumption of reprocessing. With all the left over nuclear waste and supply that we have – why not just use the remnants to pack into what nuclear weapons we create today? If Great Britain and France can do recycle, we can definitely recycle better. There should have been more attention towards the Yucca Mountain project, but as always the “non-important” things are left out on the budget. I don’t know much about the Savannah River area. Unless there is some sort of human contact with anything that goes in or comes out, I’m for it. But living species around or in contact with nuclear materials on our continent just does not sound delightful to me.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with waste management is apparent. This has been a problem for years but when does it become enough of a problem to fix? The government eventually is going to be forced to fix this problem for one reason or another. Is it going to take a disaster for the government to realize this is a problem? When this problem does get fixed who is going to decide the proper way to dispose of the waste or is there even a proper way? I feel that even when the government does come around and fix this the people are just going to complain about that decision. I see this as an endless circle of complaining and passing the blame.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that since consumers have been paying for these projects, they should be completed. This is just another way that the government doesn’t use the provided funds for their supposed purpose. We need to be reusing and not wasting. It would cut down on the amount of energy currently being produced that emits the harmful greenhouse gases that everyone is worried about. It would also supply much needed jobs. The Yucca Mountain project needs to be completed with the funds that have already been supplied by the consumers. Then we can work on either the Savannah River project or come up with another way to reuse our nuclear waste for a greater purpose. The government is so worried about the budget crisis, but the money is already there for these projects, unless the government had misappropriated these funds also.
ReplyDeleteThis definitely seems the government has their mind not on protecting the lives and environment of their country. They seem to be more focused on wanting to be the "so-called" powerhouse in nuclear weapons. Hmmm... If I recall, is best to do what the people want, since the government reflect the people... The people are paying into the efforts of the projects, yet they abandon them. Personally, if there was a way to reuse spent fuel, I would look further into that. Not only will one cut down the output of waste, but lead to cleaner environment. Going off what many others said, has anyone ever thought of the long term effects of storing nuclear waste in Yucca Mountains. Normally mountains are a sight to behold and much wildlife called the mountains home. So it seems to me that government is neglecting the welfare of the people. Funny how the article says the government is looking for a way to avoid following the law.
ReplyDeleteThis article is dealing with nuclear waste and how long the government has ignored it duty, which definitely seems like a governmental crime to me. The fact that we have been dealing with this problem since 1977 is astonishing to me. I wasn’t even born and my generation is dealing with another generation’s problems, when are we going to break the cycle? My guess is never. Another thing is that all this money that is being spent on this project is ridiculous! The government is just free spending like the economy is in good standing. Does it really cost $10 Billion to dig a hole to put this waste in it? To think that reprocessing this nuclear waste would eliminate nuclear waste is so dumb! You’re just going to waste more money in the end. We are just going to waste more money and hurt the Yucca region and spend more money trying to fix it. An endless cycle of stupidity.
ReplyDeleteIt's very disappointing to read stories like this, where the government ends up harming the environment because it's "easier" politically. Yes, the article said that it isn't exactly dangerous, but at the same time it doesn't seem like the best choice for our environment. The fact that so much money was collected to fix the problem then all of a sudden it was abandoned is a pretty sketchy thing to do. There was probably alot of work that went into that project and it was just thrown out after 20 years of work. It just seems like the planning is just a cover up to try and convince America that the government is actually trying to fix this problem, when in fact no progress has been made. Saying that they are going back to researching is obviously just to buy them time and hope that people will forget this matter. Eventually though, the government needs to step up and solve this problem.
ReplyDeleteI really hope the government doesn't sit around and wait for a catastrophe like Katrina or the BP oil spill to happen in order for them to realize the major issues our country is facing. The fact that it's been 13 years (and counting)since the 1998 deadline of the 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act and the government still hasn't come up with a solution for the possession of nuclear waste is crazy! I am definitely for the reprocessing idea, especially if it lowers the amount of nuclear waste we have in the United States. Like Shirley said, I don't know how comfortable every one else is with the idea of living among 65,200 metric TONS of nuclear waste in the United States, but I'm not. Clearly what we've been doing with the issue of nuclear waste isn't working out for us so well, so why not take on new ideas, such as reprocessing? France and Great Britain have found success in recycling the used nuclear waste into generating more electricity AND reducing the overall amount of nuclear waste. There is no reason that the "greatest country in the world" shouldn't find success such as this as well.
ReplyDeleteThis does not surprise me about this Nuclear Waste Policy Act and the government going around the law and not obeying it. It has been 13 years since the deadline was suppose to be and there is nothing done about it. This is not only bad for us and the environment but it also harms animals. This could go all the way to the human race. If it gets the animals sick and we don't know about it we could also get sick from it. It also does not surprise me that nothing is being done about it. I know we have a lot of other problems but this is also a big problem if we do not fix it. This just scares me and I hope there is not another incident like bp. I am with Stephanie, why can't we recycle them to generate more electricity?
ReplyDeleteI’m mostly confused because from my understanding there really is no “safe” way to store or dispose of nuclear waste. It doesn’t just dissolve or disappear, it goes somewhere and sits and eventually seeps through the soil, into groundwater and back up into the atmosphere. I hate to sound like a skeptic but I honestly don’t believe that there will ever be proper disposal or reprocessing of the wastes. Mostly because no matter what is done with it there will be people and/or some animal and plant life that are affected by it. The government should come up with a plan, but all-in-all the fact that we have so much waste just sitting around is negligence on behalf of the government in and of itself.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Nicole on this one. I mean we all can see the aftermath of the nuclear meltdown and explosion in Chernobyl. The effects are not good at all! And yet our government chooses to place this nuclear waste in random places where curious people and random wildlife can get into it. Seems like a very not smart move on the part of our government. If there is a way to keep reusing the waste to create energy then perhaps there is some logic to that. If the waste is constantly being reused then there is not any to be left sitting around. But until that point I would suggest that maybe we should quit producing this waste that we have no clue what to do with. Sometimes I would just love to see the government charged with not only negligence but just general stupidity.
ReplyDeletethe complaints are always going to be there. until someone comes across a flawless way to destroy this waste or store it somewhere that effects no one, there is always going to be something wrong with the method. my vote, send it to the moon. it's completely uninhabitable for humans so why not make use of it. This way would also bring back the space program and put it to some good use.
ReplyDeletethat is if we have actually have ever been to the moon..
ReplyDeleteReprocessing the used nuclear waste would help reduce the pollution and we would have a designated spot for the waste instead of just dumping it at the Yucca Mountain like the government has allowed for them to do for quite some time now. The government plays a big role in helping reduce the pollution but it seems like they're taking their sweet time in doing anything about it. They keep thinking of ways to store the nuclear waste for a longer amount of time and eventually we will be out of space to do anything about it. The government has waited long enough to do something about the waste and now should be the time to reprocess the waste and turn it into something useful instead of sitting in barrels.
ReplyDeleteLike Karla, I am not completely familiar with the reprocessing technology so I can’t comment on whether it would beneficial and cost effective. I can, however, comment on the fact that this is just another problem the government has let go on for far too long. Adequately disposing of nuclear waste is something that we’ve been trying to solve for a long time. It seems to me that the solutions we have in place aren’t really working. To begin, storing nuclear waste in orphan sites isn’t really the best idea. It’s a tremendous hazard not only to the environment but to the local communities as well. Digging holes is only a temporary solution, what happens when we run out of places to dig holes? Once again, this harms the environment and the people living in the surrounding areas. Reprocessing sound like a good idea, except for the fact that the plutonium could be utilized to creating nuclear weapons. I believe that if the government instituted rigorous guidelines and monitored the reprocessing, then the potential of making nuclear weapons could at the very least be reduced. In either case, I think doing something is better than doing absolutely nothing at all.
ReplyDeleteNuclear energy by far is the safest and most efficient means of producing energy. I feel that we need to exploit its potential. But our government must develop a plan to dispose of its waste properly; nuclear waste is extremely detrimental to the environment. Although we have all this potential, we are too focused in relations with the middle east that we are ignoring what energy source we have readily available in our own country whose production is exploding causing high amounts of waste that has become too much to handle. We need to focus on issues at home rather than sticking our noses where it does not belong.
ReplyDeleteNuclear waste and energy is not something to mess around with. It can make a lot of people sick and can lead to death. As Americans we don't want it dumped in our country because we want to keep it clean and our people healthy, but what I don't understand is why would we put that risk on someone else in a different country? I know the "Golden Rule" to some does not really ring true but for me it does. I think that all the countries need to get together and contemplate a succesful way in how to get rid of the wast where its not landing on someone elses shores or beaches and its not going to harm some one...Like Thomas Said we can send it to the moon but it will just end up floating in space forever, and I mean look earth is already contaminated in a way why to that to space?
ReplyDeleteNuclear waste and energy is very dangerous and in the wrong circumstances could be very deadly. I feel as though it does have potential and could help us in ways. I think the government needs to find the correct ways to dispose of this and not just keep it stored. Although I cannot state whether or not its cost efficent or cost worthy I can say that the problem does need to be addressed and taken care of. I just hope that soon we will be able to find a compromise to safely dispose of the waste.
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