Climate Change -- conspiracy theory or is it time we all drive a Prius?

Quote: RonC

Wind and solar are not reliable enough to depend on. They are doing a great job right now, but too high of wind and cloud cover take away from their reliability overall.

Right now it's doing exactly what's needed there. And if you waited until people got around to developing it on their own it would be too late.

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We embrace renewables here…we also know we need fossil fuels at least for the near future.

We need safe nuclear energy as one of the renewables. That one does not have the weather issues that wind and solar experience.

I don't think the GOP even has a policy on producing more green energy. The refineries are at capacity already. You can't produce more in the US without having the ability to refine it.

The oil companies whose own research predicted climate change know it's not a dead issue. When they refuse to invest more there's good reason to believe they have no reason to believe the issue is actually going away.

I don't object to nuclear, but as I've said before, potentially it's a national security issue to depend too much on nuclear. 3 years is the fastest a nuclear facility. has ever been build from scratch. If one is damaged by accident or intentionally struck in a war, between cleanup and rebulid it could be down for a decade easily. And probably more. We need sources we can recover quicker than that. Just 'cause Russia didn't fatally damage Ukraines doesn't mean another nation which is not in close proximity wouldn't do it if they weren't next door.

Quote: rxwine

I don't object to nuclear, but as I've said before, potentially it's a national security issue to depend too much on nuclear. 3 years is the fastest a nuclear facility. has ever been build from scratch. If one is damaged by accident or intentionally struck in a war, between cleanup and rebulid it could be down for a decade easily. And probably more. We need sources we can recover quicker than that. Just 'cause Russia didn't fatally damage Ukraines doesn't mean another nation which is not in close proximity wouldn't do it if they weren't next door.

You do realize that almost all the solar panels used in the US are made in China. I am sure they would keep supplying the US in a war that likely they are on the other side of. If you are worried about infrastructure being destroyed in a war then nothing is safe.

Quote: kenarman

You do realize that almost all the solar panels used in the US are made in China. I am sure they would keep supplying the US in a war that likely they are on the other side of. If you are worried about infrastructure being destroyed in a war then nothing is safe.

You can stockpile solar panels. Hard to stockpile nuclear plants.

Our strategic oil reserves are stockpiled in salt mines around the country.

It's quite likely in any major war, whatever is left to survive will have to depend on very localized power anyway. But you'll be able to light your cigar on any nearby burning building if you're still breathing.

Quote: rxwine

You can stockpile solar panels. Hard to stockpile nuclear plants.

Our strategic oil reserves are stockpiled in salt mines around the country.

The small nuclear plants on ships and submarines wouldn't be that hard to stock. The Navy builds them all so they probably stock lots of parts already.

Quote: rxwine

You can stockpile solar panels. Hard to stockpile nuclear plants.

Our strategic oil reserves are stockpiled in salt mines around the country.

You have no strategic reserves Biden has been using it to keep down prices. It has worked great.

Quote: kenarman

The small nuclear plants on ships and submarines wouldn't be that hard to stock. The Navy builds them all so they probably stock lots of parts already.

Don’t know much about those, except they have plenty of seawater for cooling purposes. Another issue is if you have lost experienced personnel. You can’t get replacements easily.

While the usual prerequisite is only a high school education…(which explains Homer Simpson), but

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Power plant operators and dispatchers undergo rigorous, long-term on-the-job training and technical instruction.

Quote: rxwine

Don’t know much about those, except they have plenty of seawater for cooling purposes. Another issue is if you have lost experienced personnel. You can’t get replacements easily.

While the usual prerequisite is only a high school education…(which explains Homer Simpson), but

Should be lots of retired Navy personnel that could up to speed quickly since they would be familiar with the reactor. Cooling is a legitimate concern but likely solvable. Maybe the heat from the reactor cooling water can be utilized for another use.

Quote: kenarman

Should be lots of retired Navy personnel that could up to speed quickly since they would be familiar with the reactor. Cooling is a legitimate concern but likely solvable. Maybe the heat from the reactor cooling water can be utilized for another use.

The reactor that powers an aircraft carrier produces about 1/15th of the output of the Grand Coulee dam. Grand Coulee is the largest output dam in the US.

Quote: kenarman

Should be lots of retired Navy personnel that could up to speed quickly since they would be familiar with the reactor. Cooling is a legitimate concern but likely solvable. Maybe the heat from the reactor cooling water can be utilized for another use.

One more minor issue that generally isn’t a issue with solar. Security. The U.S. government has a few concerns with concentrated radiation sources.

I’m not saying there’s no place for small nuclear, it has a place no doubt. Eventually.