Print 60 comment(s) - last by overlandpark4m.. on Mar 25 at 2:51 AM

It's unclear what, if anything can be done




Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating System 

Source: QZ

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RE: No fly zone?
By typicalGeek on 3/19/2014 3:16:31 PM , Rating: 0
The first U.S. nuclear power plants date from long before 1974... in fact the first privately owned reactor, the Vallecitos Nuclear Center near Livermore, CA was in operation from 1957 to 1963.

Here's a link to a comprehensive list:

RE: No fly zone?
By futrtrubl on 3/19/2014 4:54:35 PM , Rating: 4
Except that all the plants built before 1970 in the US on that list are no longer in operation.

RE: No fly zone?
By Samus on 3/20/2014 12:09:50 AM , Rating: 1
Doesn't matter, they're practically the same gross weight and speed of a modern airliner. Since the 60's there isn't much you can do to improve service ceilings and top speed of commuter aircraft. They're basically limited to ~40,000 feet and ~700mph due to haul pressurization issues and sound barrier limitations.

In fact, most modern aircraft are lighter than their predecessors to increase fuel economy. Carbon fiber wasn't around in the 50's and 60's, and although it often weighs more than 7000 aluminum, its stronger, so less material is required for the same strength.

Fit's point is valid. Modern nuclear plants will withstand direct hits from large aircraft with minimal risk of meltdown. We're talking 3 feet thick concrete barriers with multi-layered rebar. The twin towers were 90% glass exterior (the windows were load baring) with the majority of the structure support in the center, which eventually fatigued from heat.

I don't remember who said it, but I remember reading a famous quote from the DoE once:

It takes nuclear power to take out nuclear power.

The obvious recent exception is Fukushima, which should have never happened. It was 100% preventable and caused entirely by human error and penny pinching, not a tsunami or earthquake. Nuclear power plants have never been disrupted in history by either because there are numerous systems to protect them from those exact events.


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