Re: High-level MRS (the acceptable political solution)?

["Jerry Cohen" <jjcohen@prodigy.net>]

I can't agree that we will "need" geologic disposal. Actually, there is an
alternative nuclear waste disposal method that would be far more economic
and much more safe. That alternative is oceanic disposal [not subseabed
disposal, but simply-- solidify the waste, take it out over a deep ocean
trench (> 10 km depth), and  push it overboard]. Despite many attempts, we
could find no credible scientific scenario where this method could result
dire consequnses to either human health or to the environment. Perhaps
someone else could identify such a scenario. You are certainly welcome to
try, but it would likely be an excercise in futility. While oceanic disposal
may be the best technological solution, it is probably the least acceptible
politically.  Based on the history of nuclear waste policy to date,
scientific considerations are unimportant  and  politics is overriding.
Isn't that a shame?         jjcohen@prodigy.net

-----Original Message-----
From: J. Andrew Tompkins <jatalbq@mindspring.com>
To: Multiple recipients of list <radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu>
Date: Wednesday, November 24, 1999 1:56 PM
Subject: Re: High-level MRS (the acceptable political solution)?


>Mark,
>
>I always advocated calling it the Yucca Mtn. "Piggy Bank" or "Depository".
>It is technically far easier to reprocess 20 year old spent fuel than 1
>year cooled material.  The option of removing it from storage and
>reprocessing it is great if you are worried about future energy supplies.
>You still ultimately need geologic disposal for spent fuel and vitrified
>glass logs.
>
>Andy Tompkins
>Woodstock, GA
>
>
>
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