Letters: Nuclear power an expensive boondoggle, not cheap alternative

"I was dismayed to see an opinion piece by a former professor implying expertise in nuclear power, which is a subject that's completely different from his field of expertise. He abandoned the requirements of a scientific analysis by ignoring information that contradicts his opinion. Specifically, he claims that nuclear power is needed to fill the gaps when wind and solar are not sufficient. He mentions batteries but discounts the possibility of increasing their capacity."

"And he fails to mention other storage possibilities such as pump storage, compressed air, heat batteries, etc. We were promised in the 1950s that nuclear power would be so cheap it wouldn't need to be metered. Instead, it has proven to be a dangerous multibillion-dollar boondoggle. We should be wary of nonfactual promises regarding nuclear power, which has been surpassed by much cheaper and safer green energy."

"So much terrible and distressing news abounds every day about what bad things are happening in our country and the world. It is truly heartening for me to read about innovative efforts to protect whales in the Pacific near San Francisco; people flocking to San Jose's traditional Christmas in the Park; and our truly native Southern Sierra Miwuk Californians being given back their land occupied by them but taken away 175 years ago."

Nuclear power is described as expensive, dangerous, and a multibillion-dollar boondoggle surpassed by much cheaper, safer green energy. A former professor is said to have implied expertise outside his field and abandoned scientific analysis by ignoring contradictory information. Claims that nuclear is needed to fill gaps when wind and solar are insufficient are criticized for discounting expanded battery capacity and omitting other storage options such as pumped storage, compressed air, and heat batteries. 1950s promises that nuclear would be extremely cheap are contrasted with present multibillion-dollar costs. Community stories about whale protection, holiday gatherings, and returning 896 acres to Southern Sierra Miwuk Californians inspire renewed hope. Rising fentanyl overdose deaths are mentioned alongside a call for sober housing for the homeless.

Read at The Mercury News