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Don't be afraid

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Our Russian guide said “Don’t be afraid, that is not a nuclear power plant”, as we passed by several huge cooling towers outside of St. Petersburg, Russia last week. Returning to San Diego I read the article dated 10/27/09 “Oceanside: Giant hole nearly completed in San Onofre dome”, by Paul Sisson, psisson@nctimes.com.  and was reminded of the warning. Mr. Sisson went on to say that the first 28 foot hole was almost finished in the side of the north dome of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) and only a half-inch steel liner was protecting the outside from the inside. Since there is a population of 12,404,757 people living within 50 miles of the nuclear reactor, I was wondering if anyone within this area received or purchased Potassium Iodine Tablets?

 

Following the Chernobyl nuclear reactor disaster in 1986, a saturated solution of potassium iodide was given to 10.5 million children and 7 million adults in Poland as a measure against accumulation of radioactive iodine-131 in the thyroid gland. The US FDA approved Potassium iodide in 1982 to protect thyroid glands from radioactive iodine in the event of an accident or attack at a nuclear power plant or fallout from a nuclear explosion.

 

Mr. Ridenoure, chief nuclear officer of Southern California Edison (SCE) reported “not to worry, radiation levels inside are very, very low”. Yet my worry has been and continues to be the poor maintenance record of SONGS over the past few years reported by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Hopefully for 12,404,757 people, all will go well replacing those old 640 ton generators. But what about all the other old components in the reactor, miles of pipes, parts that have been rumbling and running for 24/7 to turn water into steam for 27 years. Who wants to risk driving an old car with old parts with a antiquated system?

 

The power plant’s license is to expire in 2022. SCE is considering asking for a license extension for 20 more years. Nuclear plants only produce 16% of our energy. We saved that much energy when we took conservation efforts back a few years ago during the last energy crunch in San Diego. There is no safe place to store the radioactive waste we have produced now let alone make more. The fuel pools are overcrowded and waste will continue to stay on site an on our coastline for longer then you and I will be around. Is this want we want for future generations? What are your thoughts? Contact me Shirley Vaine svaine@cox.net or Twitter/Solarshirley