Comments on: Nuclear Energy Update

By: Brett_McS

Brett_McS — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:21:59 +0000

David, yes that consideration would apply more forcefully in somewhere like India than (even) the US.

I wonder if it is a measure of this effect – almost of desperation – that billions are being poured into software concerns that have never made a profit and show no signs of ever doing so.

By: david foster

david foster — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:22:31 +0000

Brett McS…”The computer/software industry must have taken a lot of capital from other areas of engineering because of the relative lack of political involvement in the former and the ever growing parasite class attached to the later”…an Indian software CEO attributed much of the success of the Indian software & computer services industry to the fact that it was largely off the radar of the political class.

By: tomw

tomw — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 14:18:10 +0000

Southern Co is, as noted in a previous post, collecting ‘fees’ (or will be soon) currently for the construction of a nuclear plant that won’t come on line for several years. It was sold to the public as a ‘pay me less now, or pay me more later’ deal.
If I were king of the mountain, there would be several approved, proven designs rather than a polyglot, and once the NRC granted approval, no lawsuits would be allowed to interrupt construction.
If contractors can replace a complete bridge, or a section brought down by fire, on time(early!) and under budget, then the same should apply to other contracts. Reward that which you want, punish that which you don’t.
tom

By: Mrs. Davis

Mrs. Davis — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 12:33:22 +0000

Government guaranteed loans. Where have I read about that idea recently?

By: Brett_McS

Brett_McS — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 07:42:24 +0000

“Won’t happen” is probably the best bet when discussing any major new type of construction. At least in places like China the bribery is well defined and can be accounted for. Once you’re on side, no need to worry about up and coming lawyers trying to make a name for themselves.

The computer/software industry must have taken a lot of capital from other areas of engineering because of the relative lack of political involvement in the former and the ever growing parasite class attached to the later. Anyway, be interesting to see what happens with the Alaskan pipeline.

By: Phil Fraering

Phil Fraering — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:50:38 +0000

As a “bitter realist” you should know that we’re probably going to get a flaky tax-farming scheme forced upon us in the name of stopping global warming but in reality only enriching the new aristocratic class at the expense of the money and freedom of the rest of us.

NOW: Do we really want to restrict ourselves to whatever crackheaded damn scheme is ‘probably’ going to happen, or should we perhaps discuss what we SHOULD be doing?

By: newrouter

newrouter — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:24:17 +0000

the problem isn’t being framed properly. Green energy: rationing, nuke energy: plenitude. the reactor debris is a side issue like windmills off of cape cod