Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Environment & Energy
In reply to the discussion: PLANET OF THE HUMANS' STREAMING: HOW TO WATCH THE MICHAEL MOORE-PRODUCED DOCUMENTARY ONLINE FOR FREE [View all]Finishline42
(1,091 posts)29. RE: Carbon cycle of nuclear
I agree nuclear isn't carbon free.
Everything before you get to the nuclear power plant is very carbon intensive. Mining, processing and mfg fuel rods.
Then you get to after the nuclear plant. A typical nuclear plant goes thru 20 tons of fuel rods a YEAR. So what does it cost to hold safe a ton of spent fuel rods per year? Per 100 years? Per 1000 years?
120 nuclear plants in the US x 20 tons x 50 years = 240 million pounds of highly radioactive fuel rods to keep secure. And every year we add another 5 million pounds to the total.
Doesn't seem carbon neutral to me.
Edit history
Please sign in to view edit histories.
34 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
RecommendedHighlight replies with 5 or more recommendations
PLANET OF THE HUMANS' STREAMING: HOW TO WATCH THE MICHAEL MOORE-PRODUCED DOCUMENTARY ONLINE FOR FREE [View all]
douglas9
Apr 2020
OP
That "8%" quote comes from the section about the launch of the Chevy Volt
muriel_volestrangler
Apr 2020
#13
Pretty good takedown on the whole thing at Climate Crocks - key point - old footage, old information
hatrack
Apr 2020
#14
"Break even on your investment..." is part of the philosophy that is killing the planet.
hunter
Apr 2020
#19
It may be that some economist in Texas realized that wind power commits the state to natural gas...
hunter
Apr 2020
#24
Thanks for what you are doing to reduce your carbon footprint, and for not letting the perfect be
progree
Apr 2020
#21
Well, people aren't going to quit using electricity. That's just the reality of the situation.
progree
Apr 2020
#26
Sorry, but wind is a lot cheaper to build, without the enormous cost overrruns. The "fuel" is free
progree
Apr 2020
#32