Besides I worry more about Dan Newhouse, the Congressman who represents Hanford. He's all in on the clean up. By the way, he's a Republican and Trump needs his vote.
I share your contempt for partisan politics, but what is happening now is so bad, that I cannot support any politician that is a part of it, even if they agree with us on nuclear power. I'm still clinging to the idea that we can change public opinion from mildly supportive to strong enough that politicians will pay attention. We don't need a wrecking ball. We just need smart leaders who can quietly and effectively re-direct policy.
Here's hoping Elon reads the mail. Elon has a great opportunity to revolutionize electricity delivery to people as a private business. Certainly, the monopolistic government utilities electric company has massively failed. Elon has a lot to think about, but nothing more important than electricity and its continuity and affordability to Americans. The truth about radiation danger bears greatly on the resurgence of nuclear power. Recycling used nuclear fuel could bring penny a kWh prices to consumers. All it takes is a free-enterprise expert like Musk. Hope he listens.
It's difficult to discuss Musk's actions since the new White House administration without riling up tribal politics. In the spirit of "follow the evidence" that GKN is based on, I'll say instead that we don't see much evidence that he is indeed going after bloated costs (which I'd be in favour of, to be clear).
All that's to say I feel sure even if he was alerted to this, it would not be aligned with what we may infer are his interests. Now if only Democrats had opposed evidence-based nuclear policy then maybe, but we know from GKN that Republicans are also against it.
Right. Let's try very hard to keep political affiliations out of this discussion. I'm a guy who views attachment to a political party with uncomprehending bemusement. But I will say the current administration appears to be an opportunity to shake things up, possibly even make some real changes in how we regulate nuclear. We'd be crazy not to take advantage of it.
Everybody. There are plenty of places you people can make political statements. This is not one of them. One more loaded comment, and I'm expunging all the comments on this post.
The objective of the LNT model was to confuse high dose rate radiation (atomic bombing, radiology) and low dose rate radiation, in order to mask the real risk of the former.
Why would anyone want to magnify the harm associated with bomb test fallout? There are many reasons to try to downplay the consequences of Hiroshima and radiology.
The Rockefeller Foundation and it allies in academia and elsewhere were intent on shutting down atom bomb testing as a first step in getting rid of nuclear weapons. You can read all about it in the Flop book. They decided to use the fear of radiation harm as the main weapon in their campaign, even if they had to break all the rules of scientific integrity to manufacture that fear. They did a good job of accomplishing their goal.
Fosdick and Weaver and the trustees knew they were in part responsible for the bomb. That's why they worked so hard to get rid of it, even if it meant breaking some rules. Read the Flop book and hear it in their own words.
if you are keen, you could record 5 minute clips of yourself speaking your mind on these & even more. I am volunteering to edit it all by adding graphics & charts then sending it back to you to upload them to your private Youtube of TikTok accounts so they can compliment the awesome publications you post here. Offering to do it all pro-bono
Thanks extremely kind offer. I'm not sure moving (slowly) pictures of an 85 year old is the best way to sell nuclear. Plus I don't know how to record myself. And of course I don't have any You Tube or Tiktok accounts. Seems I'm pretty much a video bust. But it is a really generous offer. Thanks.
I am no fan of executive orders in general, but on this point, I fully and truly endorse it. It is a rare chance in history to correct an error that was made decades ago and has solidified ever since. So yes—go for it!
I cross-linked Jack's letter to Elon on LinkedIn for broadening its visibility:
Great request Jack and I hope he listens to you and takes action. LNT should never have left the fruit fly lab.
But I can’t help remembering that Musk was/is a mouthpiece for solar PV. Yet I am sure he is internally conflicted as an engineer because he must know what nuclear could do for all us if done properly.
I am bewildered as to why he has been uncharacteristically quiet on nuclear energy given that Tesla is going to need it in any low-carbon future that converts to EVs.
Hmm ... I wouldn't say Musk has been quiet about nuclear power. I simply googled "musk position regarding nuclear power" and there are many indications of his support.
He is not against it but his support appears to be rather benign. He had/has a business building solar rooftops, and a business building solar batteries, and was “building” solar powered charging stations which is a stretch. With proper nuclear these would be mostly redundant from a low carbon perspective. IIRC he has some friends at Radiant Nuclear but I am not sure if he has any big money in nuclear.
Reposting where I can to help it gain traction. 45 years in nuclear operations says you’re absolutely correct. The stupid LNT canard is used to halt all progress.
Great writing! This suggestion on cutting obvious waste of unnecessary cleanup is so genius and should-be-obvious thing that it must be picked up if anyone cares about real waste! My personal priorities are lasting peace in Europe (living about 400km from "putins paradise"), nuclear power for human prosperity and climate goals(smart way). It is not looking like current US administration have any of these goals in mind. And track record of Musk is really not making me optimistic about him trying to actually solve any issues. And I'm quite optimistic person.
David,
That's getting very close to the line. Too close.
Besides I worry more about Dan Newhouse, the Congressman who represents Hanford. He's all in on the clean up. By the way, he's a Republican and Trump needs his vote.
I share your contempt for partisan politics, but what is happening now is so bad, that I cannot support any politician that is a part of it, even if they agree with us on nuclear power. I'm still clinging to the idea that we can change public opinion from mildly supportive to strong enough that politicians will pay attention. We don't need a wrecking ball. We just need smart leaders who can quietly and effectively re-direct policy.
Your first sentence is contradictory. One more outburst like this, and you're gone
I hope you also put this out on "X". He might actually see it there?
ssri,
I don't know how, but feel free to do it.
I put this out on X, I hope Elon sees it!
Did you tag Elon? @elonmusk Can you share the https X link here of the tweet you sent? What is your X handle, Kenneth?
Oh, I see you and the tweet you sent. Someone will need to tag Elon
Great idea. Done!
Here's hoping Elon reads the mail. Elon has a great opportunity to revolutionize electricity delivery to people as a private business. Certainly, the monopolistic government utilities electric company has massively failed. Elon has a lot to think about, but nothing more important than electricity and its continuity and affordability to Americans. The truth about radiation danger bears greatly on the resurgence of nuclear power. Recycling used nuclear fuel could bring penny a kWh prices to consumers. All it takes is a free-enterprise expert like Musk. Hope he listens.
It's difficult to discuss Musk's actions since the new White House administration without riling up tribal politics. In the spirit of "follow the evidence" that GKN is based on, I'll say instead that we don't see much evidence that he is indeed going after bloated costs (which I'd be in favour of, to be clear).
All that's to say I feel sure even if he was alerted to this, it would not be aligned with what we may infer are his interests. Now if only Democrats had opposed evidence-based nuclear policy then maybe, but we know from GKN that Republicans are also against it.
Joe,
Right. Let's try very hard to keep political affiliations out of this discussion. I'm a guy who views attachment to a political party with uncomprehending bemusement. But I will say the current administration appears to be an opportunity to shake things up, possibly even make some real changes in how we regulate nuclear. We'd be crazy not to take advantage of it.
I 100% hope you get a late night call and keep the man on the phone for several hours.
“Maybe you know somebody who could issue that EO?” …. 😂
Classic
Way to go Jack!
Bring it on Elon
Everybody. There are plenty of places you people can make political statements. This is not one of them. One more loaded comment, and I'm expunging all the comments on this post.
Jack
The objective of the LNT model was to confuse high dose rate radiation (atomic bombing, radiology) and low dose rate radiation, in order to mask the real risk of the former.
https://x.com/daniel_corcos/status/1860567542202319323
Daniel,
My read of history is it was to magnify the harm associated
with bomb test fallout by many orders of magnitude.
But, thank God, finally a non-political comment.
Why would anyone want to magnify the harm associated with bomb test fallout? There are many reasons to try to downplay the consequences of Hiroshima and radiology.
The Rockefeller Foundation and it allies in academia and elsewhere were intent on shutting down atom bomb testing as a first step in getting rid of nuclear weapons. You can read all about it in the Flop book. They decided to use the fear of radiation harm as the main weapon in their campaign, even if they had to break all the rules of scientific integrity to manufacture that fear. They did a good job of accomplishing their goal.
They too had an interest in minimizing the consequences of Hiroshima.
https://resource.rockarch.org/story/the-atomic-bomb-development-rockefeller-foundation-role/
Fosdick and Weaver and the trustees knew they were in part responsible for the bomb. That's why they worked so hard to get rid of it, even if it meant breaking some rules. Read the Flop book and hear it in their own words.
Excellent as always Jack,
if you are keen, you could record 5 minute clips of yourself speaking your mind on these & even more. I am volunteering to edit it all by adding graphics & charts then sending it back to you to upload them to your private Youtube of TikTok accounts so they can compliment the awesome publications you post here. Offering to do it all pro-bono
Agar,
Thanks extremely kind offer. I'm not sure moving (slowly) pictures of an 85 year old is the best way to sell nuclear. Plus I don't know how to record myself. And of course I don't have any You Tube or Tiktok accounts. Seems I'm pretty much a video bust. But it is a really generous offer. Thanks.
I am no fan of executive orders in general, but on this point, I fully and truly endorse it. It is a rare chance in history to correct an error that was made decades ago and has solidified ever since. So yes—go for it!
I cross-linked Jack's letter to Elon on LinkedIn for broadening its visibility:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hanspeterbeck_a-letter-to-elon-activity-7296864526149251073-mT0j
Huzzah for your letter! Hope EM reads it.
Great request Jack and I hope he listens to you and takes action. LNT should never have left the fruit fly lab.
But I can’t help remembering that Musk was/is a mouthpiece for solar PV. Yet I am sure he is internally conflicted as an engineer because he must know what nuclear could do for all us if done properly.
I am bewildered as to why he has been uncharacteristically quiet on nuclear energy given that Tesla is going to need it in any low-carbon future that converts to EVs.
Hmm ... I wouldn't say Musk has been quiet about nuclear power. I simply googled "musk position regarding nuclear power" and there are many indications of his support.
He is not against it but his support appears to be rather benign. He had/has a business building solar rooftops, and a business building solar batteries, and was “building” solar powered charging stations which is a stretch. With proper nuclear these would be mostly redundant from a low carbon perspective. IIRC he has some friends at Radiant Nuclear but I am not sure if he has any big money in nuclear.
Reposting where I can to help it gain traction. 45 years in nuclear operations says you’re absolutely correct. The stupid LNT canard is used to halt all progress.
Great writing! This suggestion on cutting obvious waste of unnecessary cleanup is so genius and should-be-obvious thing that it must be picked up if anyone cares about real waste! My personal priorities are lasting peace in Europe (living about 400km from "putins paradise"), nuclear power for human prosperity and climate goals(smart way). It is not looking like current US administration have any of these goals in mind. And track record of Musk is really not making me optimistic about him trying to actually solve any issues. And I'm quite optimistic person.