Did you know that spent nuclear fuel is the by-product of producing electric power at nuclear power plants? Currently the United States has over 70,000 metric tons of this waste stored at 121 sites across the country. This spent fuel waste is both thermally and radioactively hot, and is initially placed in "spent fuel pools" at the nuclear reactor sites to cool down. When the pools and on-site storage are full, the cooled spent fuel must be stored somewhere else. So, what should we do with all this waste?
In 1982, the Nuclear Waste Policy Act made the US Department of Energy responsible for finding a site, building and operating an underground disposal facility called a geologic repository. Yucca Mountain Repository is the proposed site to store spent nuclear reactor fuel and other radioactive waste. The repository is located within Yucca Mountain approximately 80 miles northwest of Las Vegas. The nuclear industry is pushing Congress for funding to establish Yucca Mountain as the nation's permanent storage site. If they are successful, 100,000 shipments of high-level radioactive waste will be transported through 43 states. As the "Crossroads of America" much of that waste would be transported through Indiana, which currently has no nuclear reactors. Click here to see a map of the nuclear reactor sites in the United States. http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/map-power-reactors.html
Supporters of the Yucca mountain project say nuclear energy is cheap and clean and the transportation of the nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain will be safe and secure. Opponents of this plan say Yucca Mountain is not geologically stable and that transporting nuclear waste across country will lead to nuclear accidents. So my questions to you this week is "Do you agree or disagree with the Yucca Mountain Repository as a place to hold our nation's nuclear waste? Do you think we should continue to use nuclear power? Why or why not?". Your answer must be 10 sentences minimum and is due Saturday, February 23rd by 6:00 p.m.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
An Ode to Presidents
This Monday, the nation celebrates George Washington's birthday, commonly known as President's Day. So, in honor of our first President, I decided to blog this week about the men who have served our nation as "Commander in Chief".
Some of our Presidents have had great courage. George Washington and Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded troops in battle in two of the most important wars in our nation's history. Without their courage, it is hard to say if America as nation would be where it is today.
Some of our Presidents have been great scholars. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which remains a model of democratic thought and is studied in political science classes around the world to this day. Woodrow Wilson was the only President to earn a doctorate degree, which he earned in political science.
Some of our Presidents have been great orators. John Adams was considered the "voice" of the revolution. John Kennedy's inauguration address inspired a new generation of Americans to serve their communities. Ronald Reagan was known as "The Great Communicator" and is credited with helping to end the Cold War.
My question to you this week is "Throughout history, who do you think would've made a great President that never held the office?" My answer is Benjamin Franklin. We all know of Benjamin Franklin's famous lightening rod experiment, but did you know he invented many other things including the Franklin stove, bifocals, batteries and the glass 'armonica'? He also formed our nation's first library and fire departments, and founded the University of Pennsylvania. Franklin was a great statesmen, diplomat and politician. He is credited with developing the ideals of the American character. Had he not been so advanced in age, it is possible he would've added 'President' to his long list of accomplishments.
So, "Who do you think would've made a great President that never held the office?" Answers must be 10 sentences minimum and are due by Friday, February 20th at 8:00 a.m.
Some of our Presidents have had great courage. George Washington and Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded troops in battle in two of the most important wars in our nation's history. Without their courage, it is hard to say if America as nation would be where it is today.
Some of our Presidents have been great scholars. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which remains a model of democratic thought and is studied in political science classes around the world to this day. Woodrow Wilson was the only President to earn a doctorate degree, which he earned in political science.
Some of our Presidents have been great orators. John Adams was considered the "voice" of the revolution. John Kennedy's inauguration address inspired a new generation of Americans to serve their communities. Ronald Reagan was known as "The Great Communicator" and is credited with helping to end the Cold War.
My question to you this week is "Throughout history, who do you think would've made a great President that never held the office?" My answer is Benjamin Franklin. We all know of Benjamin Franklin's famous lightening rod experiment, but did you know he invented many other things including the Franklin stove, bifocals, batteries and the glass 'armonica'? He also formed our nation's first library and fire departments, and founded the University of Pennsylvania. Franklin was a great statesmen, diplomat and politician. He is credited with developing the ideals of the American character. Had he not been so advanced in age, it is possible he would've added 'President' to his long list of accomplishments.
So, "Who do you think would've made a great President that never held the office?" Answers must be 10 sentences minimum and are due by Friday, February 20th at 8:00 a.m.
Friday, February 6, 2009
What goes up when things go down?
With the economy in such bad shape, most Americans are tightening their purse strings and trying to save money any way they can. Most industries have seen their books fall into the red as sales and revenue have plummeted. There are however, a few industries that have seen growth, even in the middle of this economic crisis.
Medicinal and biological products have seen an increase of 2-7% in the past year. Proving that yes, people still get sick and require treatments, even in a recession. Exemplifying the economic principle of substitutes, car maintenance items are up 10-15% and passenger transportation is up 4-12%. Pet supplies are up as well; approximately 4-12% in the past year. Cats and dogs don't eat less or use less litter just because the economy is in a down slide. Video games saw an increase of 14% due to their best sellers Madden NFL 09 and Wii Fit. Video games give people an "escape" much like watching television and more people are at home due to our ever-soaring unemployment rate.
My questions to you this week is "What have you cut back on during the recession? What are the things you can't live without?" You answer must be a minimum of 10 sentences and is due no late than Friday, February 13th at 8:00 a.m.
Medicinal and biological products have seen an increase of 2-7% in the past year. Proving that yes, people still get sick and require treatments, even in a recession. Exemplifying the economic principle of substitutes, car maintenance items are up 10-15% and passenger transportation is up 4-12%. Pet supplies are up as well; approximately 4-12% in the past year. Cats and dogs don't eat less or use less litter just because the economy is in a down slide. Video games saw an increase of 14% due to their best sellers Madden NFL 09 and Wii Fit. Video games give people an "escape" much like watching television and more people are at home due to our ever-soaring unemployment rate.
My questions to you this week is "What have you cut back on during the recession? What are the things you can't live without?" You answer must be a minimum of 10 sentences and is due no late than Friday, February 13th at 8:00 a.m.
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