Chewing the Grand Canyon

The other gift that keeps on giving. Or rather, taking. Radioactive tailing piles coming to a park near you?

Interest in Nuclear Power Fuels Uranium Rush - LA Times via Boston Globe - 10 May 08

"On public lands within 5 miles of Grand Canyon National Park, there are more than 1,100 uranium claims, compared with 10 in January 2003, according to data from the Department of the Interior. In recent months, the uranium rush has spawned a clash as epic as the canyon's 18-mile chasm, with both sides saying they are working for the good of the planet."

"And uranium is in short supply. In recent years, mines closed in Canada and West Africa, yet the United States as well as France and other European countries have announced intentions to expand nuclear power. Predictably, the price of uranium has soared to $65 a pound recently, from $9.70 a pound in 2002. [That would be 670 percent. And you thought oil increases were bad.]

In the five Western states where uranium is mined in the United States, 4,333 new claims were filed in 2004, according to the Interior Department; last year the number had swelled to 43,153." "But by far the most claims staked near any national park are in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon, which draws 5 million people a year. The park is second in popularity only to the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee."

Chewing the Grand Canyon

The other gift that keeps on giving. Or rather, taking. Radioactive tailing piles coming to a park near you?

Interest in Nuclear Power Fuels Uranium Rush - LA Times via Boston Globe - 10 May 08

"On public lands within 5 miles of Grand Canyon National Park, there are more than 1,100 uranium claims, compared with 10 in January 2003, according to data from the Department of the Interior. In recent months, the uranium rush has spawned a clash as epic as the canyon's 18-mile chasm, with both sides saying they are working for the good of the planet."

"And uranium is in short supply. In recent years, mines closed in Canada and West Africa, yet the United States as well as France and other European countries have announced intentions to expand nuclear power. Predictably, the price of uranium has soared to $65 a pound recently, from $9.70 a pound in 2002. [That would be 670 percent. And you thought oil increases were bad.]

In the five Western states where uranium is mined in the United States, 4,333 new claims were filed in 2004, according to the Interior Department; last year the number had swelled to 43,153." "But by far the most claims staked near any national park are in the vicinity of the Grand Canyon, which draws 5 million people a year. The park is second in popularity only to the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee."

Fun in Saskatchewan

Details, details. The Freedonia deals that Areva is busy cooking up might have a few similar problems.

At least no proliferation issues here. Wait! There is a Saskatchewan Party isn't there? :)

Defusing Idea of Nuclear Power - Regina Leader-Post - 10 May 08

"The study contains the usual cautionary statements so beloved of anti-nukes. 'Population density near the power plant is important, particularly in the event of a severe accident.' Ironically, the study even contemplates the possibility of the study being leaked. 'If it is not already developed, SaskPower should develop a pro-active communications strategy regarding this project, in the event the news is leaked to the media.'"

"If they had been asked, the consultants would have looked at the numerous drawbacks and disadvantages of building a nuclear power plant in a relatively small province, like Saskatchewan, which has plenty of other energy options.

For example, the sheer size of the plant alone -- at 1,500 MW -- would represent close to half of SaskPower's installed capacity of just over 3,200 MW. That means the entire provincial grid could be compromised in the event of failure of one or more of the units. More importantly, the cost of such a plant -- at $5 billion and counting -- would potentially triple SaskPower's long-term debt of $2.5 billion. Then there is the problem of transmitting the power to Alberta. Since the two provinces use a different phase or frequency of electricity, the power generated by the nuclear plant would have to be transformed or converted before being transmitted to Alberta."

Drinking Water Source Eyed for Nuclear Plant - Water Tech Online - 08 May 08

"The Stantec Consulting report took note of the area’s large water supply, necessary for generating nuclear power. Approximately 40 percent of Saskatchewan residents get their drinking water from the Lake Diefenbaker watershed, CBC News reported."

Fun in Saskatchewan

Details, details. The Freedonia deals that Areva is busy cooking up might have a few similar problems.

At least no proliferation issues here. Wait! There is a Saskatchewan Party isn't there? :)

Defusing Idea of Nuclear Power - Regina Leader-Post - 10 May 08

"The study contains the usual cautionary statements so beloved of anti-nukes. 'Population density near the power plant is important, particularly in the event of a severe accident.' Ironically, the study even contemplates the possibility of the study being leaked. 'If it is not already developed, SaskPower should develop a pro-active communications strategy regarding this project, in the event the news is leaked to the media.'"

"If they had been asked, the consultants would have looked at the numerous drawbacks and disadvantages of building a nuclear power plant in a relatively small province, like Saskatchewan, which has plenty of other energy options.

For example, the sheer size of the plant alone -- at 1,500 MW -- would represent close to half of SaskPower's installed capacity of just over 3,200 MW. That means the entire provincial grid could be compromised in the event of failure of one or more of the units. More importantly, the cost of such a plant -- at $5 billion and counting -- would potentially triple SaskPower's long-term debt of $2.5 billion. Then there is the problem of transmitting the power to Alberta. Since the two provinces use a different phase or frequency of electricity, the power generated by the nuclear plant would have to be transformed or converted before being transmitted to Alberta."

Drinking Water Source Eyed for Nuclear Plant - Water Tech Online - 08 May 08

"The Stantec Consulting report took note of the area’s large water supply, necessary for generating nuclear power. Approximately 40 percent of Saskatchewan residents get their drinking water from the Lake Diefenbaker watershed, CBC News reported."

1968 - When Nebraska Mattered

For those of you political folks who want a bit of nostalgia.  Vintage film, audio and photographs from the 1968 Nebraska primary race. 

George Wallace, Richard Nixon, Nelson Rockefeller, Ronald Reagan, Eugene McCarthy, Robert Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey and associates.  And a young (and older) Ernie Chambers too.

Campaign 08: 68: The Year Nebraska Mattered

Streaming Video of Full Program

1968 - When Nebraska Mattered

For those of you political folks who want a bit of nostalgia.  Vintage film, audio and photographs from the 1968 Nebraska primary race. 

George Wallace, Richard Nixon, Nelson Rockefeller, Ronald Reagan, Eugene McCarthy, Robert Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey and associates.  And a young (and older) Ernie Chambers too.

Campaign 08: 68: The Year Nebraska Mattered

Streaming Video of Full Program