Chanelle Bessette

Nevada should accept nuclear waste

With recent discussions about a shipment of nuclear waste coming to Nevada from Tennessee, politicians and citizens alike feel the resurgence of mixed feelings about using the state as a nuclear waste repository, by particularly in regard to Yucca

Chanelle Bessette Mountain, which seems to be becoming more of a political buzzphrase than a tangible idea. I’ve written before about my support for the development of nuclear energy and nuclear waste storage in Nevada, and I believe the time for further consideration of this highly lucrative and beneficial industry is upon us. Radiation is clearly a concern for Nevada citizens. The ideas of contamination and poisoning rightly strikes fear into the hearts of many. When the earthquakes and tsunami that struck Japan several years ago caused radioactive leaks in its nuclear power plants, the exposure put many lives in danger and made people afraid of what could happen in other countries. However, that kind of exposure is virtually impossible with the kind of waste repository that was being developed for Nevada. Not

Good news, bad news: only is the expansive, isolated

Chanelle has taken desert a perfectly protected a job at Fortune magazine, which means RN&R is looking for a environment against the elements, solid nuclear waste is packaged new conservative in thick ceramic coating and then columnist. If your stored in layered containers that views are more can’t be exposed by accident. In libertarian than neocon, send three sample 600-word addition, actual storage of the country’s nuclear waste would be columns on local relatively minimal given that much issues to brianb@ nuclear waste can be reprocessed newsreview.com. and repurposed. The large amount of revenue that would funnel into the state as a result of the storage facility could do a lot for Nevada. I’m not suggesting that we sacrifice safety for money, but the truth is that threat of contamination is minimal and maintaining a state nuclear waste repository would do more good than harm. The main reason a discussion at the federal level about nuclear waste storage in Nevada is getting so much recent attention is that there is a proposal that the waste will be transported on Las Vegas highways. While Yucca Mountain’s location about 90 miles northwest of Las Vegas is far enough away from the city that the storage of radioactive materials would be inconsequential to most Nevada residents, there is public concern about the waste passing through metropolitan Las Vegas en route to the facility. People fear accidents and radioactive contamination, which, again, are unlikely. Of course, Las Vegas residents should have a say in what kind of materials are being transported through their home city, but there are far more pros than cons for getting involved with the nuclear industry.

Nuclear energy can be the solution to all U.S. energy problems. Going to war for oil or burning toxic fossil fuels that deplete the ozone and increase global warming can be things of the past. While alternative energy like wind, hydropower, solar or electric cars are all viable options for helping to solve the energy crisis, none will be as effective, clean and inexpensive as nuclear power.

The only way for nuclear energy to be taken seriously and be widely developed is for there to be a place to put what’s left over. With the issue of radioactive waste so present in the public’s mind, however, this energy source is not given sufficient consideration. I would encourage anyone with doubts about nuclear energy to research the facts. Granted, it’s not a layperson-friendly science, but it’s not acceptable to use the misconceptions about nuclear waste portrayed in Hollywood and in cartoons as a reason not to pursue it. Nuclear energy has been a large part of Nevada’s past, and it’s up to us to make it a part of Nevada’s future. Ω

DISCOVERING HEALTH CARE CAREERS

Operation Health Care Bound is a FREE event for middle school and high school students and their parents. Students will have the opportunity to explore many available health care careers and participate in hands-on demonstrations.

Save the date for the 6th annual event and come out and learn about all of the health care careers available to you.

First 100 students will receive a free gift bag.

Anticipated Hands-On Learning Experiences

• Interaction with local health care professionals • University and community college representatives • CPR awareness courses • Anatomy lab • Educational, scholarship and career guidance • Health and wellness education • Public safety demonstrations • Giveaways • First come fi rst serve tours of UNR campus

www.facebook.com/operationhealthcare

SAVE THE DATE

6th Annual Operation Health Care Bound

Saturday, September 14, 2013 | 10am-2pm University of Nevada, Reno | Joe Crowley Student Union FREE Event parking