[ RadSafe ] Understanding anti-nukes...

[Jerry Cohen]

     It is really naive to believe that anti-nuke opposition to siting NW or 
SNF facilities stems from some kind of fear for their health and safety. 
Simply stated, they just don't want to live in a world where nuclear power, 
weapons , or anything nuclear exists. They learned everything they need to 
know from Hiroshima, Nagasaki, On the Beach,  China Syndrome, and Silkwood. 
The main reason for their opposition to siting nucwaste facilities is that 
for impeding nuclear development,  IT WORKS. As we are aware, approval of 
NPP's is dependant on having  acceptible waste management  facilities and 
lack of such facilities has  served as  an effective deterrent to nuclear 
development. This effectivness stems from a symbiotic condition between the 
anti-nukes, politicians, government bureaucrats, contractors, and scientists 
researching an acceptable solution. Over the past several decades, nucwaste 
management research has been an abundant funding source for everyone 
involved and, of course, nobody wants to kill the goose that lays the golden 
eggs. Previously, on radsafe, I conjectured that if anyone should ever find 
an acceptable HLW disposal method, they would likely be lynched by a pack of 
crazed geologists ;-)
     I wish I could suggest how to solve this problem. In any case, I 
believe such any such  solution must stem from a realistic understanding of 
the nature of the problem.

Jerry Cohen