If the U. S. is the country that ushered in the nuclear age, why are we so shy about nuclear energy now?

Question

France is the country with the most advanced nuclear energy program and the cleanest air of any industrialized country as a result.

They get 80% of their electricity from nuclear energy and sell surplus energy to Germany, Italy, and England.

France also doesn't have a long-term nuclear waste storage problem because they re-process their spent fuel rods.

Last year or so, Hitachi bought the nuclear energy division of Westinghouse.

Shouldn't the remaining nuclear industry in the U.S. undertake a public relations campaign to win widespread public acceptance of nuclear energy?

Answer 1

The USA and Americans can be called many things ,

but shy is definately NOT one of them

Answer 2

Very good question, Cecil.  In France, it works!

The reasons are political.

As you know, there is a huge hype going on right now about Global Warming.  Some scientists say we should be concerned.  Politicians and Hollywood stars have jumped on the bandwagon.  

How can you tell whether their concerns are primarily based on science, or on politics?  The answer is, suggest nuclear energy as the solution.

Legitimate scientists will respond that this is an excellent suggestion, that it supplies our energy needs without pollution and without greenhouse gases.  It has worked for 30 years in France, without any accidents, and even when there was a minor incident here in the US at Three Mile Island, the plant shut down as planned and no one was hurt.

Those who think more about politics than science, however, will be aghast!  They will dream up all sorts of horror stories (mainly taken from the plots of Hollywood movies) and tell you that all we need to do is build more windmills.

Answer 3

I suppose because we ushered it in as a weapon of war, so we consider it a dangerous, destructive, and even morally wrong thing.

Answer 4

it is the wacko left. they go back to 3 mile island.

what ever when wrong. it worked it shut down they way is was suppose to.

Japan  ,who was nuked ,should have been the last ones to want nukes. they have 'em.

we can have clean air with 10 years and send energy in Mexico , Canada  and central America.

we are worrying about  50 years from now.

we will know if it works with in 10 years.

Answer 5

The environmentalist was who opposed the nuclear power plants ,now they will need it.

Answer 6

People here fear the incompetence that brought about 3 mile island and chernobyl.