March 6, 2007
What’s coming through the back yard?
I don’t know much about nuclear energy, admittedly, but I’d like to see much, much more information and lengthy community discussion before these plans to transport and process nuclear waste in Tennessee go any further. This project is going to have to go in someone’s back yard, but I want to hear more before I know whether it’s time for a NIMBY campaign. Since a railroad runs a few hundred feet above and behind my back door, the back yard in question might very literally be mine.
![Rob Robinson](http://thinktrain.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/Rob.jpg")
Sean Braisted said,
March 6, 2007 @ 10:29 am
Unless you happen to be involved in an accident with a truck carrying this material, you will be fine. The only danger this material poses is if it is used as packing material in a bomb. In that case, the radiological material could be spread a couple of blocks at the most, but that can happen whether or not I-40 / 1-24 are used to carry this Nuclear material.
Nuclear power is already a component of the TVA power system, it would be pretty hypocritical if we used it, but wouldn’t allow the waste to come near Middle Tennessee. Personally, I’m in favor of Nuclear power in the age of global climate change caused by
Al GoreGreenhouse gas emissions.Rob Robinson said,
March 6, 2007 @ 10:42 am
Thanks, Sean. I thought I remembered your support of nuclear power as I was writing this post today. Your background info here is really helpful, and the thought has definitely crossed my mind about the hypocrisy of using nuclear power but then refusing to deal with its aftermath.
I have generally tended to think nuclear power is an option worth considering because of the opportunity to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. I want whatever decision we come to about this news to be one based on plenty of information and careful consideration, that’s all.
Sean Braisted said,
March 6, 2007 @ 11:15 am
I agree that any decisions made should be done so carefully. I’m worried though that the longer we wait, the longer this material is housed in various Nuclear Power plants around the country, and thus more vulnerable to be stolen by people with ill-intentions. I think a single, more secure location would be best for the country as a whole.
rrob13 said,
March 6, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Good point. A single point would sure make it easier to police.