Here's a Snapshot of the Dam Problem and the risk to nuclear disaster in Nebraska
Again, this is what Fort Calhoun flooding looked like a couple of days ago. It's completely engulfed in water. Water than can erode and/or interrupt power to pumps that keep the core and spent fuel pond cool so the water won't boil off, creating steam that has to be released so the plant won't explode like Fukushima did.
This is what the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Plant looks like:
Um? Where's this 2,000 ft berm that collapsed this morning? Begs the question doesn't it? Is it the one filled with water already, surrounding the Power lines? To or from the plant? or both?
I wrote this diary yesterday, where you will find lots of Dam Details:
Dam and Nuke Report June 24, 2011
Here's a vid for those who want the Short Version of this story:
The short version, a video:
Our nuclear proponent that commented is assured that All is Well, No Problem, Move on. I respect diverse opinions and contributions to the debate.
However, I lean more to the side of one of my favorite kossacks who responded to the nuclear proponent. This comment sums up exactly how I feel about nuclear energy's safety:
Trust me, I'm very picky about using the exact correct phrase in my line of work or hobby. Still, the whole point of even having the rods is to cool down the fuel. If not for that end, there would be no rods. So, until I get into a technical discussion where your information is highly appropriate, you'll have to ignore my immaterial inexactitudes. I'll also continue to say "my engine makes the car go" until precision is required by my mechanic.
And I'm sorry, but you think all the options are covered; that all the fail-safes will guarantee no major fail of the enterprise; and that you can beat Time, Nature, and Chance. As a human being (and "engineer" is merely a subset of human being, not the pinnacle as some seem to think) if you leave Time, Nature, and Chance out of your calculations, or misapprehend them, sooner or later you're screwed.
Basically you've got 400+ machines out there, and every instant (not second, but instant) the dice are being rolled. With enough iterations, ...
But Mousie, thou art no thy lane,
In proving foresight may be vain:
The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!
I hope you will alert your friends so they can check in with their intuitions to know the right course of action for them and their families.
Adept2u also has a diary up with some great, on the ground "local information"
Flood Berm Collapses at Ft. Calhoun Nuclear Power Station
Arnie Gunderson, nuclear scientist, did a three part series ov Pacifico radio about the situations at Ft. Calhoun and Cooper Nuke Plants.
Part 1
Part II
Part III
Also recommend reading this informative diary by Joieau
Nuke Update 6-20-11: Releases, Rumors and a Ravaging River
There is a daily kos group for those who oppose nuclear energy:
Nuclear Free DK
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