Reply #4: Just release it into the atmosphere like coal [View All]

Ok, that was kind of a sarcastic line... but seriously, I think people are just being overly paranoid here. There's a certain amount of irrational hysteria in that article. I wouldn't mind if they buried it in my state, but being that we're the 4th most seismically active state, that probably wouldn't be a good idea.

Our two primary sources of power, nuclear and coal, produce radioactive waste. It's sad but true. Coal has high amounts of naturally occuring uranium and thorium.

We all use power, until we can find a better primary power source, and I think someday we will, we all have to accept responsibility for the byproducts, be they toxic U/Th laden coal smoke or depleted fuel rods and mine tilling of nuclear plants.

Suing the government is cute and all, but in the end, I think it's an evasion of responsibility. The waste was created because we and everyone else use electricity. Even without nuclear, coal generates massive amounts of radioactivity and pollution.

Where do these Nevadians think the electricity that powers the neon lights in Las Vegas that never dim, the pumps for their water, the power to make their cars, etc, comes from? Green power? Not hardly.

But people don't want to see it that way. They want to think the waste, the byproducts, are someone else's problem, and they can go on using electricity inefficiently forever and not worry about any damage to the environment.

Well, I think it's time people got an attitude check. It's your waste, you use electricity, and the vast bulk of that is coal and nuclear. Accept responsibilty; it's your waste as much as another state's.

Don't like it? Fine, but realize you had a hand in its creation with the power you use, and work to develop truly green sources of power that can one day replace coal and nuclear altogether. Until then, don't stick your head in the sand and wish for the problem to go away while you continue to make it happen.

Rant off.