Japan’s Nuclear Mistake

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/29/opinion/japans-nuclear-mistake.html

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 9:38 AM
Subject: re: Japan’s Nuclear Mistake
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

   As Mssrs. von Hippel and Takubo observe, "uranium remains cheap and abundant". What they neglect is that more than 99% of that is uranium 238 and is not fissionable. If we look only at the uranium 235--on which current nuclear generators run--the analysis is quite different. Indeed, there's not even enough to bridge the world over until greener carbon-neutral energy sources can displace our current addiction to fossil fuels.  

   Breeder reactors are not without problems. The plutonium generated is toxic and could be diverted to weapons. But if we are to have a serious discussion of energy policy, it must start with the real cost and risks of the options, not with lazy deceptions.

Barry Haskell Levine