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It's crazy to think that something like Chernobyl could actually happen at the Harris plant. Some points...
- The technicians at Chernobyl were conducting a test and purposely disabled the safeguards, and then subsequently ignored the evidence that a meltdown was occurring. That disaster never would have occurred had they not disabled the safeguards in the first place. They were simply reckless, which wasn't uncommon in the "do-anything-to-beat-the-capitalists" attitude in the Soviet Union.
- No one was warned about the meltdown...because of the atmosphere of secrecy that pervaded Soviet society. Townspeople were simply unaware of what was going on, and you hear stories about how they stood around and watched the 'beautiful glow' that was eminating from the plant.
Keep this little fact in mind...
Because coal naturally contains small amounts of radioactive elements, a coal-fired power plant releases significantly more radioactivity than a nuclear power plant. And that's not even mentioning the large amounts of Mercury they release too.
There are 14 coal power plants in NC. And Raleigh is within a 30-mile radius of the Cape Fear power plant...
http://www.cleartheair.org/relatives/20084.pdf (broken link)
Last edited by OmegaBaby; 07-19-2007 at 11:32 AM..
Reason: Woops...I was wrong.
Sure coal is dirty, but now how come you cannot get any insurance for your home if the Nuke plant goes POOF?????
That Is the real issue.
I'll sell you a policy right now! I'm not an insurance agent, but what have I got to lose?
Power plant doesn't explode?...I keep your money!
Power plant explodes and kills you?...I keep your money!
I think it's a matter of lack of demand. Who's going to shell out additional money for 'nuclear-power-plant-exploding' insurance? And nuclear energy is so misunderstood and villified that even if something minor happens (like what happened in Japan...radiation released, but significantly below safety levels), you're going to end up with people suing the insurance company for no good reason (e.g. "radiation-altered super-termites attacked my house...I should be covered.")
Last edited by OmegaBaby; 07-19-2007 at 11:47 AM..
I'll sell you a policy right now! I'm not an insurance agent, but what have I got to lose?
Power plant doesn't explode?...I keep your money!
Power plant explodes and kills you?...I keep your money!
I don't like the idea of being near it and I live in Garner, thirty-five miles away, but rest assure that if it goes everything as far out as Greensboro will be gone. This one is not too old, so I wouldn't think that there would be any danger yet. I don't know how long those reactors are suppose to hold up, but I would think that if they are following federal guidelines that it should remain safe for years to come. Just as long as we don't start seeing 3 and 5 eyed fish in the lakes and streams, I'm ok with it. LOL
If I remember correctly, the 3 mile island incident caused zero deaths.
I have lived within 10 miles of the plant most of my life, I play disc golf and boat at the surrounding lake, and it is basically a non-issue to me. I think alot of the rumors are based in the 70's and 80's hysteria over nuclear power.
This topic always reveals the effect hysteria and ignorance has on this country. We are so far behind the rest of the world in some aspects, its frightening. Our reliance on fossil fuels has caused much more damage to the Earth and human life than is possible with Nuclear Power. Fortunately, circumstances are forcing leaders to reconsider Nuclear Power as a viable energy source for the nation.
I'll sell you a policy right now! I'm not an insurance agent, but what have I got to lose?
Power plant doesn't explode?...I keep your money!
Power plant explodes and kills you?...I keep your money!
Unless of course you also live in the area. How about I back up the policy...from MA. Then, power plant explodes and kills him, you keep money. But you die too and I underwrite you. I keep YOUR money. Heehee!
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