~Patrick Moore
Chair and Chief Scientist, Greenspirit Strategies Ltd.

When I helped found Greenpeace in 1971, my colleagues and I were firmly opposed to nuclear energy. But times have changed. Nuclear energy is the only non-greenhouse gas-emitting power source that can effectively replace fossil fuels and satisfy growing demand.

Nuclear energy is affordable. The average cost of producing nuclear energy in the United States is less than 2 cents per kilowatt-hour, comparable to coal and hydroelectric.

Nuclear energy is safe. In 1979, a partial reactor core meltdown at Three Mile Island frightened the country. No one noticed that Three Mile Island was a success; the containment structure prevented radiation from escaping and there was no injury among the public or workers.

Spent nuclear fuel is not waste. Recycling spent fuel, which still contains 95 percent of its original energy, will greatly reduce the need for treatment and disposal.

Nuclear power plants are not vulnerable to terrorist attack. The 5-ft.-thick reinforced concrete containment vessel protects contents from the outside as well as the inside.

Nuclear weapons are no longer inextricably linked to power plants. Centrifuge technology now allows nations to produce weapons-grade plutonium without a reactor. Iran’s nuclear weapons threat, for instance, is distinct from peaceful nuclear energy.

Nuclear reactors offer a practical path to the hydrogen economy. Excess heat from the plants, instead of fossil fuels, can be used for electrolysis. It also can address the increasing shortage of fresh water through desalinization.

Together with a combination of solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric sources, nuclear energy can play a key role in producing safe, clean, reliable baseload electricity.

NeoConstant is growing fast, and many guest authors frequent its pages. Guest authors writing at NeoConstant write from all political vantage points, and from countries around the world. Not all of them chose to continue on as regular contributors, but we appreciate their intellectual contribution regardless!