Needed energy, needless fear

A recent letter (4/19) criticizing nuclear energy warned of “nuclear radioactive waste water,” which is actually nonexistent.

In modern nuclear energy reactors there are two distinct cooling loops. The primary coolant operates far above the boiling point of water. It may be pressurized light (i.e. ordinary) water, heavy water (enriched in Deuterium), molten salt, or molten sodium.

A secondary coolant loop of ordinary water boils and powers the turbines that generate electricity. The wastewater discharged from the plant is from the secondary coolant and never touches the reactor core. Plain water cannot be made “radioactive” in this process.

In storage pools, water is circulated around spent fuel rods, but again, it is not discharged. The Hanford (Washington) plant the writer cites has indeed been leaking coolant water; however, this is primarily an old military site from nuclear bomb manufacture, not energy production. I agree, we can eliminate this source of radioactive waste.

The writer was correct that Fukushima Daiichi and Chernobyl were total disasters, representing bad nuclear development (respectively, a nuke in a fault zone, and an archaic graphite-moderated reactor). But there is such a thing as good nuclear power, and to support a world population of 7 billion (and growing), most of the credible mid-term alternatives are worse. Ethiopia has built a hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile, changing the flow of the main Nile and disrupting the economy and ecosystems of the lower valley through Egypt.

Most scientists and informed citizens are aware that climate change, largely driven by carbon-based fuels, is the most serious environmental danger we are facing. The leading alternatives, solar and wind energy, provide less than 5% of USA energy demand. In the mid-term, say 25 years, there is no present alternative except wise nuclear development.

With your help

Thank you community for supporting the Homeless Resource Network’s efforts to connect people experiencing homelessness with the information and services needed to end their homelessness. The Homeless Resource Network served over 1,000 unique people experiencing homelessness in our community during the last year.

The Third Annual Wine Tasting Mingle was a huge success, raising over $8,000 for the Homeless Resource Network’s programs. We would like to say special Thank You to The Loft, AFLAC, AJK Certified Public Accountants, Correct Care Solution, Country’s Barbecue, Cynthia Maisano, Law firm of Gary Abell, Legacy Commissary Services, Reinhart Family, St Anne Catholic Church and Outreach, and Valley Hospitality.

Delegate theft

I was a delegate to the 2d Congressional District Republican Convention in Americus this past Saturday, April 16.

This was my first foray into local politics. I had attended the March Muscogee County Republican Convention on 19 March and was selected as an alternate delegate. At the District Convention I was interviewed to be a delegate to the Republican National Convention. Later in the proceedings I was upgraded to Delegate to the District Convention.

Unlike some of the other 13 Congressional District Conventions, our convention was conducted fairly and above board. Delegates to the RNC were selected based on the results of the Republican Presidential Primary on March 1st, in which Trump received 47% (28,393 votes) of the popular Republican vote as compared to 23% (13,816 votes) for Cruz. From this outcome, since Trump received twice as many votes as Cruz, Trump should have received two of the allotted RNC delegates from the 2d District and Cruz one. This is exactly what happened at the 2d District convention.

Compare what happened in the Third Congressional District. There, Trump received 39% (48,370 votes) compared to 25% (31,205 votes) for Cruz. Yet, due to the subversive manipulation of the proceedings by such “party bosses” as a local state senator who votes in that district, Cruz got all three delegates to the RNC compared to zero for Trump! The majority who voted for Trump in the Third District should be outraged that your vote does not count!

Not since Sherman marched through Georgia has the will of the people been so blatantly and viciously violated.

Still waiting …

Another month has passed and we still don't have the Whittlesey Road "widening project" complete, or even a legitimate goal for its completion. It’s more than a year behind schedule and more than $1 million over budget (and, I'm sure, climbing), and that Mayor Tomlinson doesn't seem interested in letting us know why.

This story was originally published April 21, 2016 at 3:50 PM with the headline "Needed energy, needless fear."