Re[2]: nuclear power

[JMUCKERHEIDE@delphi.com]

Response to 'numbers' from John Hughes, SCE:

Hi John,

"I object to these 'numbers' ! "   :-)

Its not clear that the fossil numbers are TO THE ATMOSPHERE!
What about TO THE WATER?  And what about TO THE LAND in landfills, etc!

Nuclear wastes contained is  NOT "TO" ANYTHING!  There are nuke numbers on TO
ATMOSPHERE, and TO WATER, from normal plant ops, but then you should also note 
the radioactivity from fossil burning *not large*, but there; and to
_potential_ discharges from rad waste disposal facilities as TO LAND! to be
comparable to, esp., coal. Where does that coal ash go, the scrubber and
particulate filter wastes? What are the coal pile runoffs and groundwater
pollution; and do the numbers you quote include the coal processing/crushing
discharges, or only the "up the stack" combustion products??  :-) 

I suspect that all the nuclear power in the country (22% of total US
generation) actually discharges less _toxic waste to the environment_ in 1
year, than by 1 large US coal plant in 1 day (say Four Corners?).  Without
considering "hormesis"! :-) 

Do we have those 'numbers' ??  :-)

And thanks for the numbers!

Regards, Jim Muckerheide
jmuckerheide@delphi.com
==========================
>      Dave,
>      
>      Here are some numbers:
>      
>      Typical electrical plant annually:
>      
>      COAL:
>      30,000 tons/yr  Sulfur Dioxide SO2 
>      24,000 tons/yr  Nitric Oxide NOx
>      2,000 tons/yr   Particulates
>      9,400,000 tons/yr  Carbon Dioxide CO2 
>      
>      GAS/OIL
>      44 tons/yr  SO2
>      3,400 tons/yr  NOx
>      1,500 tons/yr  Particulate
>      5,400,000 tons/yr  CO2
>      
>      NUCLEAR
>      0 tons/yr  SO2
>      0 tons/yr  NOx
>      0 tons/yr  Particulate
>      0 tons/yr  CO2
>      50 tons/yr Low level Radwaste LLRW
>      48 tons/yr High level Radwaste (Spent Fuel)