Nuclear problems in Japan a warning

Your editorial states that 20 percent of the electric power produced in the United States is from nuclear generation ["Nuclear power on the ropes," March 20]. Why do we not close the reactors and replace them immediately with conservation? I say this in light of the unfolding disaster in Fukushima.

The low number of nuclear power accidents worldwide speaks volumes as to the high caliber of the design, construction and operation of these facilities. But unfortunately, accidents will happen no matter how well regulated or inspected. Low-level radioactive emissions will continue from the operating plants. And eventually someone will realize that the spent fuel pools would make a terrorist's dream come true.

Saving 20 percent of the electricity I use would be a small price to pay for the demise of an industry that is too dangerous for humans to control.

Stephen Bacskay

Central Islip
 

We all know they build nuclear plants on the edges of water bodies so there is always access to an unlimited supply of water in an emergency to prevent a meltdown. However, it appears all these great scientists have missed a simple design flaw that could make nuclear plants safer.

Why build them at ground level, where it requires electricity and pumps to get the water into the pools? If the entire site were lowered some 100 to 300 feet, with a "bathtub" structure around it similar to the World Trade Center site, one could place the entire plant below sea level. Then install flood gates, which could be opened by electricity, hydraulics, hand or, in a worst-case scenario, by explosives to flood the entire site in case of emergency. Gravity would do the rest.

Not to mention, post crisis, it would be easier to entomb the site in concrete. Am I missing something, or is it simply for lack of money to build these sites that have jeopardized the planet, our only home?

David Wollman

Greenlawn
 

A poorly designed nuclear plant experiences an unexpected power outage during a test run and melts down, spewing radiation for hundreds of miles and forces the relocation of 300,000 people (Chernobyl).

A poorly designed deep water well head fails and spews millions of gallons of toxic crude oil into the Gulf of Mexico, devastating the fishing and tourism industries in the region and contaminating thousands of miles of shoreline beaches.

A poorly designed nuclear power plant in Japan, built in a region well known to experience strong earthquakes, fails to maintain adequate cooling and nears meltdown.

Mankind, arguably the most intelligent life form on this planet, has nothing to fear from a doomsday scenario of an asteroid hitting the planet and ending life as we know it. We are going to do take care of that all on our own.

Timothy Consiglio

Hauppauge