Antinuclear

Can Thorium reactors resuscitate the nuclear industry? – I don’t think so.

When even the International Energy Agency starts planning ahead  for the decline in nuclear power –  you know that all is not well with the nuclear industry. (a draft copy of the International Energy Agency’s 2011 World Energy Outlook. The draft, obtained by Reuters ahead of its release next week, sai the IEA had developed a “Low Nuclear Case” that assesses possible implications for global energy balances of a much smaller role for nuclear power. The draft was dated July 2011, and the IEA is scheduled to release the report in London next Wednesday.  http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/04/us-energy-iea-nuclear-newspro-idUSTRE7A36OP20111104)

If you follow the course of efforts to develop the MOX plutonium reprocessing industry – you quickly come to a series of very expensive  starts and shutdowns –  Britain, USA, Japan.

Some nuclear lobbyists still tout the “pebble bed” nuclear reactor – a financial fiasco when tried in South Africa. And there are the small modular reactors – a huge security risk – among other drawbacks

Some hopefully spruik about nuclear fusion –  if only it could be made to work and work without bankrupting a country

Now – lo and behold – the big tout is THORIUM- with Australian companies like Lynas and Iluka pushing to jump on the bandwagon. Later this month, mining industry people will gather in Canberra to attend a conference entirely devoted to thorium. The opening speaker will be federal Resources Minister, Martin Ferguson.

But on investigation – Thorium reactors are not all they’re cracked up to be. Check these out for their failures, security risks, and weapons potential  – http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/opinion/letters/general/no-one-talks-about-safe-nuclear-power-because-it-doesnt-exist/2147024.aspx  and      The Greenroom » Nuclear Weapons for the Masses!

So –  Australia’s nuclear lobby, including its Minister For The Nuclear Industry, Martin Ferguson are now desperately latching on to the Thorium push, as uranium prices plummet.

But THORIUM is just another diversion from the reality that the nuclear industry is not being successfully resuscitated. – Christina Macpherson

November 7, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Christina reviews