It’s important to remember that the current information explosion around the issue of nuclear power coincides with a growing public awareness of the rising demand for- and cost of- energy in general – electricity in particular. When that awareness is combined with the drumbeat of warnings about climate change, the result is fertile ground for the marketing of "clean, efficient and safe" electricity production. It’s perfectly normal for the nuclear industry to take full advantage of a window of opportunity to promote a rapid expansion of its generating base; part of effort involves, naturally enough, convincing the public that all the ducks are in a perfect row, with no downside.
(I do believe that the chat in industry back rooms is a bit different from the over-the-counter variety, by the way).
Opponents of nuclear power are often ignorant of the facts and mouth off half-cocked with opinions that are based on little more than hearsay and/or conjecture. The arguments of such people are easily refuted by knowledgeable businessmen with straight-forward factual, common sense arguments.
The NEI has implied that I take the position that somehow or other research sponsored by the industry itself is invalid…ut talis…and nothing could be further from the truth. As I say at the top of this blog, the search for truth is where I draw the bottom line, although ignorance is sometimes a factor in reaching the wrong conclusion. (We’ve seen ample evidence of that with respect to certain foreign policy initiatives).
I’ve looked at the links and info you provided and certainly find no problem at all. My concern is not with what the industry, government and public know now…or even with the industry’s track record of safety and responsibility, which is virtually above reproach…certainly when compared with certain other energy and industrial sectors.
My questions revolve mainly around the issue of what the industry, governments and the public at large do not know or are not sharing. It’s my fear that the industry does not sharing fully either its knowledge or concerns about the possible downside of forging ahead rapidly with nuclear power expansion. That fear, which is not uncommon amongst members of the public is not going to be assuaged by a mere public relations campaign.
I didn’t undertake Nuclear Notebook as a means of beating up on the nuclear industry…or of attempting to engage in a tit-for-tat exchange of statements and/or allegations. I started it in order to educate myself.
If it eventually ends up as a means of clarifying issues for myself – and improving communication on this subject, I’ll be happy.
