nettlebed

The current pollution at Fukushima doesn't even begin to compare with Hanford yet. The leaks in Japan have been atmospheric, whereas there are huge potential groundwater and soil issues at Hanford. And with the impasse over Yucca Mountain, the projected processing start date of 2017 for the vitrification plant under construction at Hanford, supposed to help clean up ans sequester high-level waste from the 200 area plants at Hanford is looking as though it's is very optimistic. Plus there are all Rickover's old nuclear submarine cores from Bangor sitting in trenches, and the 200 area plants (Plutonium separation facilities) are STILL some of the most polluted structures in existence.

But it's not true to say the cleanup hasn't even started. There is a lot of work going on to immobilize and recover toxic Chromium deposits, and a lot of low-level waste is being dealt with.

It's an amazing, fascinating place to visit, and having a very close friend as a very senior employee at the Richland Operations division of the DoE has helped me get inside the Energy Northwest (formerly WPPSS, for those who remember) operating nuclear energy plant for a tour.

Anyone else here been inside a working nuke plant?

Bob

between 45-55 miles away from Seabrook and Pilgrim 1


Pilgrim 1 is the one in Plymouth, MA and rated second least safe after Indian Point, which is about 150 miles away

S Folinsky

Whoops? I wonder if it is still the largest muni bond default?

nettlebed

Yes, I think it is. Nuclear Implosions by Daniel Pope is an extremely interesting account of the whole Whoops fiasco, and a fascinating account of energy policy as a whole from the New Deal up to the sixties and seventies, especially for those of us who live in the Pacific NW.

From the initial aspirations down to the desperate struggle for control and final disillusionment, it lays the foundation for the (inevitable?) denouement that was the Enron scandal, very clearly and understandably, even for lowlifes like me whose only intellectual asset is a PhD in a physical science

penguinsix

16 miles from my US house to the nearest plant. I can actually see it with binoculars as it is on the water near my house.

But now that I'm in Hong Kong, it's about 8,200 flight miles away so no fears there.

The closest one in Hong Kong is about Daya Bay about 25 miles away.

Rete

You're further than we are. From Indian Point to us is only 23 miles.

robin1234

I'd never heard of Indian Point till Governor Cuomo made an issue of it a few days ago... actually to give him his due he's been against it for years, this piece is from 2007. Built on a fault line and so close to millions of people (New York City and environs.)

Bluegrass Lass

Sorry! Didn't realize someone else had use the horse photo! I'll look around for something else.

Yeah, I asked Mo and Sue to change my name last week. Wanted something new.

rivit

Thanks, i needed something else to worry about

sir_eccles

You get a brighter light bulb with the nuclear plant.

Nutmegger

Ouch! I knew it was close to the city, but never thought about how close it is to Fairfield County, as the crow flies. Then there is Millstone, 57 miles away up the CT coast.

MadRad

Fort Calhoun 469 miles.

meauxna

Volcanoes. You forgot the volcanoes.

Yes, but the weather is so nice!



And radioactive rabbit poop. Don't forget that. Imagine being taken down by mice & rabbits.. what will become of us?


172 miles for me. I do feel better now that Trojan's closed.

bevinva

41 miles from the Surry VA one.

sir_eccles

A bit of perspective:

http://xkcd.com/radiation/