Message posted by Andre' M. Dall'au on March 20, 2005 at 5:42:51 PST:

Finally got around to reading some posts and noted that the article attached was filled with lopsided information. This is the perferred method of journalists that wish to illuminate only a portion of the facts to slant opinion. As readers we should be always willing to ask why and how whenever there is only a problem presented. The real facts are that the nuclear fuels storage areas are well ventilated and monitored. The ability of gases to stagnate is impossible. The concentrations of methane that would be needed to achieve combustion is simply not possible with the materials present. Methane is a byproduct of decomposing organic matter, and there IS NONE THERE, There is also a brief and unexplained reference to hydrogen buildup that IS a direct result of several chemical processes involving some of the material present such as a high temperature Ziconium-water reaction, and high temperature breakdown of Stainless Steel, but the depleated fuel rods are stored in air (no water) and water is actually required to "moderate" neutrons to slow them for interaction with adjacent fuel. What happens with air is the Neutrons remain in a higher power range that cause a much lower amount and non-sustaitable fission, hence no criticality or heat, and therefore no ability to produce hydrogen.
The inexpert newspaper reporter wrote up the hype and left out the facts. We all need to face it that the mainstream media (TV, newspapers, etc.) have realized that their impact should not be wasted on merely reporting news, but shaping opinions. With few exceptions, everything you read or view has a designated and intended response. That is done by highlighting the fears and problems but failing to include all the solutions and answers. Most media stories merely addresses one side of an issue and then asks you to draw a conclusion. They use the fact that most people will instantly believe what they see or read, form their opinion, and move on. Most of our posters are professional people and struggle with this phenomena daily. The frustration to see something presented as fact when there is much more to counter it that was NOT included is tremendous. Just view everything you see or read as is you were going to buy a used car and listen to the saleman, but then do you own research to verify. In the long run you will be better informed, get more for your money, and it will force the sellers to present more of an accurate assessment.

In Reply to: Re: Yucca Mountain Glitch posted by Keith on March 16, 2005 at 23:41:20 PST:

Replies: