To: Larry S. who wrote (42037 ) 1/14/2013 5:17:13 AM From: axial Read Replies (1) | Respond to Hi Larry - "What is the cost to the rest of us for keeping power plants operating to provide power when the wind stops blowing and/or the Sun stops shining." 'It depends.' On location, jurisdiction, regulation, energy source, subsidies, taxation, and more. "I would also like to know the cost in terms of pollution." "...though I agree there can be other problems I've never heard of one that could cause a major loss of life." ' Thirty one deaths are directly attributed to the accident, all among the reactor staff and emergency workers. [13] An UNSCEAR report places the total confirmed deaths from radiation at 64 as of 2008. The Chernobyl Forum estimates that the eventual death toll could reach 4,000 among those exposed to the highest levels of radiation (200,000 emergency workers, 116,000 evacuees and 270,000 residents of the most contaminated areas); this figure includes some 50 emergency workers who died of acute radiation syndrome, nine children who died of thyroid cancer and an estimated total of 3940 deaths from radiation-induced cancer and leukemia.' en.wikipedia.org "My Nuclear expert friend believes just a safe as any of the existing power plants." Agreed . Nun breaks into US nuclear facility Nuclear power capacity worldwide is increasing steadily, with over 60 reactors under construction in 13 countries.
