Would you support nuclear powered passenger/freight ships?

Question

Would you support nuclear powered passenger/freight ships? In the interest of reducing our dependence on oil and cutting carbon emmisions, would you be in favor of having nuclear powered passenger and freight ships? Nuclear ships have worked well for the military, so it should work pretty well for civilians too, shouldn't it?

Answer 1

Never get pass the Liberals they want sails again?

Answer 2

Uneconomical and impractical.  Not going to happen.

Answer 3

cal45 and his asinine statement aside

Nuclear power is un-insurable. All non-military nuclear facilities in the US are exempt from insurance liability. They are so subsidized by the NRC and the Feds that they appear to be viable. The fact is, that if the Feds were not protecting them and providing the fuel at subsidized rates they could not afford to function. Over $7 Billion/year of your taxes are spent to subsidize and protect existing nuclear industries from liability. 60% - 90% of US civilian nuclear activities are federally subsidized.  Shipping could not afford the liability or risk.

Answer 4

It would be to much of a public safety hazard

Answer 5

They built a nuclear cargo ship in  the '60's named SAVANNAH. It was not a commercial success.

Answer 6

Simple answer: YES.  It makes sense to me.  There are commercial electrical generation stations all over the country.  Some within a couple miles of schools.  No one's worried about that?  These reactors would be much smaller and would sink if there was any problem and most commercial shipping is further from residential properties than commercial nuclear power plants.  Again, it makes sense.

Answer 7

No thanks!  I'm not interested in glowing in the dark.  A person I knew served on the USS John C. Stennis (nuclear powered super aircraft carrier) and he told me that accidents were the norm, rather than the exception.  Thanks for asking

Answer 8

Sure.  But you would have to take some major security precautions to keep the bad guys from stealing the nuclear fuel and/or onboard reactors.