Nuclear plant in our future?
Ten years ago I would not have believed it possible.
New nuclear plants in America? Not likely.
Until a solution was found for disposing of nuclear waste, I didn’t think Americans would tolerate adding new plants that would just produce more radioactive waste.
But DTE announced today that it’s beginning the process of applying for a federal license to build a new nuclear plant next to Fermi II. Although DTE’s chairman says the final decision hasn’t been made - this is just a step to preserve the possibility - the company is spending $30 million to get the process started.
And it somehow doesn’t seem far-fetched any more. The widening concern over global warming has changed the balance of opinion. Coal-fired power plants are one of the biggest contributors of the greenhouse gases that are warming the planet.
Environmentalists - at least those who like to flick the light switch and have the lights come on - may have to choose between two evils.
If building nuclear plants and phasing out coal can save the planet - well, maybe we can figure out a solution for the radioactive waste after all.
Of course, it’s not that simple. And over the next few years, as DTE goes through the licensing process, we’ll find out again just how complicated the arguments can become.
Michigan needs more power generation - along with most regions of the country - if we’re going to prosper in the years ahead. And the nation’s sophistication on environmental issues has grown over the years - as evidenced by the growing concern over global warming.
At The Evening News, we have experience covering nuclear issues, including the licensing and construction of nuclear power plants. And there are plenty of experts in the community - on all sides of the nuclear and coal issues - to help us explain the facts and lead a discussion of the issues.
I have a feeling it’s going to be an interesting debate.
February 15th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Nuclear power technology has changed since Fermi II was built. For anyone interested in this debate I would suggest reading two articles: ” The Nuclear Option ” in the September 2006 issue of ‘Scientific American’; and ” The Next Atomic Age ” October 2006 issue of ‘Popular Mechanics’.