Frankly, pools of radioactive material stored on-site, are less of a threat at this point than the increase in carbon emissions which would almost certainly result from taking nuclear plants off-line.
Among the reasons I prefer nuclear fusion:
https://www.nrc.gov/materials/fusion/fission-vs-fusion.html
…
What is Nuclear Fusion?
Nuclear fusion is the process that powers the sun and stars. Instead of splitting atoms, fusion combines two atomic nuclei—typically forms of hydrogen—into a heavier nucleus, releasing a large amount of energy in the process. Scientists and engineers are working to recreate the extreme temperatures and pressures that cause fusion in stars in specialized machines on Earth.
Key Characteristics of Fusion Technologies:- Relies on light elements like hydrogen isotopes.
- Requires extreme temperatures and pressures to initiate.
- Does not rely on a chain reaction.
- Expected to produce minimal long-lived radioactive waste.
Because fusion technologies would not produce the same long-lived waste as fission power and carries a lower risk of uncontrolled chain reactions, it has long been considered a potential energy source for the future.
…
A “fission” reaction
naturally takes place. Controlling it means preventing it from running away. Nuclear fusion is also natural (the Sun is powered by nuclear fusion.) To create a fusion reaction here on Earth is very difficult. If conditions are not very carefully maintained, it won’t “melt down” it will simply stop.
As for disposing of the nuclear waste we have already produced,
some (not all) “Gen IV” reactor designs can use it as fuel, decreasing the amount we have to deal with. Even without new designs, it
can be “
reprocessed.” Most simply, “high-level radioactive waste
can be safely combined with molten glass, “
vitrified,” and securely stored in underground vaults.
I am a proponent of renewable energy. For an extreme case, a
small isolated village is not a good candidate for a nuclear reactor, but a system of solar panels, wind turbines and some form of long-term storage can change life there. Geothermal energy can be used to generate utility scale electricity or heat individual homes. Solar panels can be put on a shed roof, a warehouse roof, a stadium roof. They can be used to shade parked cars or
rice fields.
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