Comments on: Germany prepares to commit energy suicide

By: TB

TB — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 22:18:57 +0000

I’m all for many solutions being sought in many ways. It just seems like the ones who make the bad decisions end up wanting to live off the ones who didn’t. The European economy is another good example of this.

By: mcfly

mcfly — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 22:07:32 +0000

I work for the American branch of a Swiss-based company. Don’t ever worry about the Swiss doing something that would disadvantage themselves. Ain’t gonna happen.

By: mcfly

mcfly — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 22:03:51 +0000

I getcha. Don’t misunderstand, I’m for nuclear power generation (except in Iran). I hope we persue it vigorously. But if other countries choose a different path that’s fine. As you guys have discussed, that may open potential markets for nations producing more than they consume. Seems like a win-win to me.

By: TB

TB — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:11:28 +0000

Good point. Not the best term I could have used. Maybe “hypocritical” applies more to anti-nukes who don’t mind using other people’s nukes for electricity.

Kind of like how California buys power from states that burn gas and coal while trying to keep our state nice and clean.

By: TB

TB — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 20:09:06 +0000

Switzerland seems to be phasing out slowly, not building new reactors but not shutting down the five existing ones that supply about 40 percent of Switzerland’s power. These are going to be operating for about another 20 years, giving the Swiss a nice opportunity to kick the can down the road a bit.

They’re actually doing pretty well on non-fossil energy. Most of the rest of their production is hydro, and oil, gas, and coal barely show up in the statistics.

On the other hand, Switzerland has fewer people than New York City.

By: TB

TB — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 19:37:14 +0000

Here's a good article on French nuclear power attitudes. It's part of an informative Frontline site. It's worth browsing through the rest of it.

By: FrankC

FrankC — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 19:28:24 +0000

I love it. Nice to see other countries taking the risk instead of insisting we go first.

By: VelociraptorBlade

VelociraptorBlade — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 15:30:45 +0000

Dammit….

I wonder what the French public’s opinion on nuclear energy is…. ’cause seriously, that’s a sweet set up right there. If the US followed suit, we could be chiseling a few bucks off our national deficit.

By: ER

ER — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 14:38:53 +0000

Switzerland just followed Germany’s lead today.

By: mcfly

mcfly — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 07:33:12 +0000

Since when is purchasing a commodity “sponging off?”