Could Nuclear Power Wean the U.S. From Oil?

bblackfrog asks: "Is a Federal nuclear energy program viable? That is, can the USA eliminate our economic dependence on crude oil with a large scale federal program to build and maintain enough nuclear power plants to replace our current oil-based energy needs? The obvious political hurdles are (a) the left opposes nuclear energy, (b) the right opposes federalizing energy, and (c) the oil companies and Saudis wield a lot of clout. This makes a federal nuclear energy program far fetched I admit, however I'm more interested in the economics. Slashdot has covered advances in nuclear power technology. China's doing it." (Read more, below.)

"How much energy is required to replace our fossil fuel consumption? What are the initial costs of the program, and just how cheap could the electricity be? How expensive would it be for our industries to convert? How expensive for home and auto conversions? How much of this cost should be picked up by the government? Bottom line: is nuclear power cheaper than our current oil-driven middle-east policy, with all of its blowback?"

Yes, definitely.

[krog]

A nuclear disaster would wean the US off a lot of things.... oil, food, water, you name it.

The Bush Factor

[TheSpoom]

You're forgetting that Bush was just reelected.

Obligatory Simpsons

[jlechem]

I believe it's pronounced nucular.

Only when...

[slashrogue]

Our President can correctly say the word "nuclear" and not a moment before.

Impossible...

[Anonymous Coward]

...because France have already done it.

Re:And what'll wean us from nuclear power?

[iezhy]

fusion power, maybe?

Re:(D) One problem

[MindStalker]

Into the oceans obviously!

Suprisingly if scattered out this is actually a good idea as there as underwater volcanos are already spilling out much more heavy metals and nuclear material than we can possibly dump, of couse as I said it would have to be ground up and spread out evently.

Not that the hippies would understand mind you.

Not Biodiesel, Lipodiesel!

[bitingduck]

yes i know it would take *a lot* of soy crop to meet the US oil consumption

That's why we need "Lipodiesel"-- when you climb into your SUV, you plug a little hose into a couple stents in your thighs and belly, and it gives you liposuction treatment while you drive, sending the fat into your engine to propel the vehicle. This would solve both the oil problem and the fat problem plaguing the united states, would mean that lazyass drivers wouldn't have to exercise, and could not only eat all the french fries they wanted, they would need to in order to fuel the vehicle. You just stop at the McDonalds drive-thru to fill up.

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[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Yes, definitely.

[bongoras]

Come on, get your terminology right!

In America, it's spelled and pronounced "Nukular" -- for at least four more years.

Re:And what'll wean us from nuclear power?

[hendridm]

And what'll wean us from nuclear power?

A renewable power source that creates guns and beer as its byproduct.

Re:And what'll wean us from nuclear power?

[robertjw]

Dilithium Crystals

Re:Uh...

[micromoog]

President Bush approved the building of a new planet last year.

That's no planet . . . it's a space station!!

</ob. Star Wars>

Re:Yes, definitely.

[operagost]

People like you are exactly why we are still dependent on oil.

Re:Yes, definitely.

[Citizen of Earth]

In America, it's spelled and pronounced "Nukular" -- for at least four more years.

Maybe Kerry might have had a chance if he could spout a convincing "Yee Haw!" every once in a while.

Re:Power?

[An Onerous Coward]

"Unless they really like the idea of killing off 6.3 billion people so 100 million can live in relative comfort."

Actually, the GOP is looking into this one.

::ducks::

Kitten Power!

[Jonboy X]

It sure looks like the U.S. of A. is quickly running out of energy options acceptable to the general population. Recent pools have found that:

• Coal is dirty.
  
• Natural gas smells like farts
  
• Oil is controlled by those crazy people with the towels on their heads
  
• Wind power is for pansies
  
• Hydro will run out as soon as all the water has finished running downhill
  
• Nuclear causes explosions and mutants and makes baby Jesus cry
  

That's right, the only option that everyone agreed on was:

• Burning cute, cuddly kittens
  

They're adundant (check the animal shelters), cheap (they're just giving the things away) and renewable ("breeder reactor" = 2 cats in a box with some catnip and a Barry White CD). It just goes to show that, with a little ingenuity, we can solve even the worst crises.

Outrage

[ReciprocityProject]

I had to stop eating yoghurt for a month or two.

This must never, ever, be allowed to happen again. I stand with you, brother.

Re:Yes, definitely.

[PingPongBoy]

to harness fusion

Unfortunately my calculations show the fusion reactor to be the size of a star and must be constructed hundreds of millions of km from the consumers. On the bright side, the gravity of the power plant will be used to sling the earth quickly through the plant's magnetic field thus allowing us to capture enormous power from induction.

Re:Yes, definitely.

[Rei]

Excellent points. I recall a saying that seems relevant... something about "eggs" and "baskets". ;)

Re:Have you studied television?

[commodoresloat]

Did that missing U/Plu go up the chimney? Or out the door in someone's pocket?

I think Homer Simpson inadvertently walked out with it.

Re:Individually wrapped cheese

[josecanuc]

In the U.S., it's culturally impolite to cut the cheese. That's why it comes pre-cut and wrapped. ;-P

Re:Yes, definitely.

[Raven_Stark]

Are you using enriched uranium hand lotion or something?

I think it's how that new KY jelly works. You know, the stuff with the warming action.

:)

Re:Better idea

[magarity]

buy our electricity from the french

This is a great idea; salt water conducts electricity so we won't even need to lay cables.