Fukushima Daiichi Achieves Cold Shutdown

A happy day:

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshikhiko Noda said on Friday that the battle to stabilize the country's Fukushima nuclear plant had turned a corner, nine months after an earthquake and tsunami sent reactors into meltdowns.

"The reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have reached a state of cold shutdown," Noda said at a nuclear task force meeting in Tokyo. "Now that we have achieved stability in the reactors, a major concern for the nation has been resolved."

The "cold shutdown" refers to a condition where the water that cools nuclear fuel rods remains below boiling point, meaning that the fuel cannot reheat.

Still much to do. But a happy day.

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An editorial from North Dakota features the views of Senate Candidate Duane Sand:

In a wide-ranging discussion Tuesday with The Forum’s Editorial Board, Sand outlined his proposal for a nuclear plant in North Dakota and nine more across the nation. A commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve, Sand served on three nuclear submarines. He’s a student of nuclear energy – its pitfalls, myths and potential. He knows his stuff about the subject and sincerely believes eastern North Dakota would be an ideal site for the start of a new era of nuclear power.

The editorial lists four of Sand’s points about nuclear energy, all of which are agreeable and well-informed. We really like this one:

The myths associated with nuclear power’s dangers need to be exposed as mostly frauds.

More at the link. Let’s just say Duane Sand doesn’t hide his liking of nuclear energy under a bushel.

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Does this mean I support Sand in his race?

Of course not – that’s for the people of North Dakota to decide and I have no idea what the local issues are there.

One issue voters – even those that favor nuclear energy – face much sorrow, so even if I could vote for Sand, I would hesitate until I knew more about his views and those of his opponent. Support for nuclear energy would not be determinative in deciding my vote, but it would be one item in Sand’s favor.

Fukushima Daiichi