Three Mile Island radiation leak investigated

[Pookie]

(CNN) -- Authorities at Pennsylvania's Three Mile Island nuclear plant were investigating what caused a weekend radiation leak that resulted in 150 workers being sent home, officials said Sunday.

An airborne radiological contamination alarm sounded about 4 p.m. Saturday in the Unit 1 containment building, according to a statement from Exelon Nuclear, which operates the Three Mile Island plant near Middletown, Pennsylvania. The unit had been shut down since October 26 for refueling, maintenance and steam generator replacement, the company said.

"A monitor at the temporary opening cut into the containment building wall to allow the new steam generators to be moved inside showed a slight increase in a reading and then returned to normal," the company said. "Two other monitors displayed normal readings."

Read more here ....

Nuclear energy is a great idea, but when it goes south, it goes south in a BIG way. I wish we would get into more wind and solar power. I dunno....I'm a little leery about nuclear power, but as the article said later on, "A new generation of nuclear reactors is being considered in the United States as environmental concerns have intensified about coal-fired power plants."

Maybe this new generation is a lot better, I hope. Still, I wouldn't want to live too close to one.
Purrs,
Pookie

[labrocca]

Realistically nuclear power is probably the most cost efficient and long-lasting energy resources America has. If more plants did exist we would certainly depend a lot less on foreign oil. I know environmentalist have a big problem with them and I can see the issue from their angle but it's not viable to throw wind or solar panels all over USA at this time. We are probably two or three decades before that technology is worth it.

[Pookie]

And that's a real shame. We learned nothing from the oil crisis in the 70's, did we?
No. We went right back to depending on oil instead of making a concentrated effort to work with alternative energy sources and make them productive.
Over 30 years wasted.
Remember, those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it. I've been on about this since 1975.
When will we get the hint here?
Purrs,
Pookie

[Nonchalant]

(Nov. 23, 2009 02:33 PM)Pookie Wrote:  Nuclear energy is a great idea, but when it goes south, it goes south in a BIG way. I wish we would get into more wind and solar power. I dunno....I'm a little leery about nuclear power, but as the article said later on, "A new generation of nuclear reactors is being considered in the United States as environmental concerns have intensified about coal-fired power plants."

Wind and Solar power are good, however not as cost productive as nuclear.

(Nov. 23, 2009 02:33 PM)Pookie Wrote:  Maybe this new generation is a lot better, I hope. Still, I wouldn't want to live too close to one.

That right there is the problem with America. Have you heard the saying "Beggars can't be Choosers"? Americans WANT cheap efficient energy. However once an opportunity presents itself people decided to pick it apart.
Not that I can't understand, if someone offered to build a nuclear power plant in my backyard then I would be skeptical at first. But the facts don't lie. It is efficient, it is actually safe. Yes in the event of an error things can go horribly wrong (Chernobyl) but accidents are not often with Nuclear power plants as they HAVE to ensure things are safe or they won't be allowed to keep their plant up and running.

(Nov. 24, 2009 02:51 PM)labrocca Wrote:  Realistically nuclear power is probably the most cost efficient and long-lasting energy resources America has. If more plants did exist we would certainly depend a lot less on foreign oil. I know environmentalist have a big problem with them and I can see the issue from their angle but it's not viable to throw wind or solar panels all over USA at this time. We are probably two or three decades before that technology is worth it.

[Pookie]

I was in Germany through Chernobyl in 1986. It was awful. Quite scary, as at the time, the Russians were not so forthcoming with facts.
Things have changed since then, for sure, however, we lost 30 years of research and development on alternative power sources.
This is what is called complacency, and it's dangerous.
Purrs,
Pookie

[labrocca]

Quote:And that's a real shame. We learned nothing from the oil crisis in the 70's, did we?
No. We went right back to depending on oil instead of making a concentrated effort to work with alternative energy sources and make them productive.
Over 30 years wasted.

You have to blame liberal environmentalists for stopping efforts to use nuclear energy.

I would still like to see more usage of solar and wind power though. It's my opinion that these are long-term more promising a solution.

[Nonchalant]

(Nov. 24, 2009 09:09 PM)labrocca Wrote:  I would still like to see more usage of solar and wind power though. It's my opinion that these are long-term more promising a solution.

I don't know if I would agree that they would be better long-term, however I agree that they would definitely help turn society to a bit more "green" society.

[labrocca]

Can you point out a downside of wind and solar? And don't say because windmills will be unsightly. That's the dumbest reason ever since I have yet to see a stylized power plant.

[Nonchalant]

(Nov. 24, 2009 09:34 PM)labrocca Wrote:  Can you point out a downside of wind and solar? And don't say because windmills will be unsightly. That's the dumbest reason ever since I have yet to see a stylized power plant.

As of right now, the efficiency factor. Not to say as science progresses things won't be better. But by that time who is to say Nuclear power wont be perfected aswell?

[Pookie]

Well, here it is the way I see it. Nuclear power has been made much, much safer. That is great! Now with wind and solar, perhaps now those can be more viable in time with further development.
I believe Nonchalant has a good point here.
Perhaps, in time, alternative sources of power will be presented and pushed, maybe. Nuclear power apparently is safe as well but I'm sorry, I went throught the Chernobyl thing in Germany and I saw what an accident can do, so I worry a bit. I am biased and I am a little shaky here.
I didn't mean to offend anyone.
Perhaps it is time to speak to our respective Congresspersons and let our voices be heard about this.

This issue is many-faceted. Let's go from here and think about alternative power.
It can't hurt, right?
Sorry if I offended anyone.
Purrs,
Pookie