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Peter Feldstein's avatar

It makes it impossible to credit this writer's position that he so totally ignores the biggest political and environmental issue which has interfered with the development of nuclear power for decades: disposal of its toxic waste. We are still storing it on-site, a dangerously unstable non-solution. No state is willing to allow disposal within its borders, nor do any wanted it trucked on its roads (let alone flown overhead). This issue has raised enormous emotion, which has only receded because the very real issue on the ground is being ignored. This essay seems way too much like an industry propaganda piece, complete with straw-men, for me to have confidence in any part of it. I'm embarrassed for Persuasion that you have presented it.

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Dan Evans's avatar

Unfortunately, Utah actively courts "disposal" within our borders. One site is just a few miles from The Great Salt Lake. It's why Energy Solutions Arena (where the Jazz play) is affectionately called "The Glow Dome".

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Steve Stoft's avatar

I agree with you opening remark, and I have added a comment above showing that the famous physicist Richard Feynman does too. You might be interested. And by the way, some of the new test reactors under construction can actually burn nuclear waste and make it less radioactive.

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