| IDAHO: Scientists at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory in Idaho Falls are celebrating 50 years of using nuclear energy to generate electricity in the US. The scientists are also trumpeting the success of their storage methods for the radioactive waste produced while generating environmentally friendly, efficient and clean nuclear energy.
Although the scientists are reluctant to specify the exact location of the waste, in case it becomes the target of terrorist attacks, experts believe that it is being stored in a 44 gallon drum somewhere at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. These specially reinforced containers were designed to have a full life of 100 years and as far as anyone knows have survived their first 50 years without rupturing. Not ones to rest on their laurels however the patriotic nuclear technicians of Idaho Falls are currently working on more efficient ways to produce nuclear waste even before the smoke from the birthday candles has fully cleared. “Nuclear power plants in the United States alone are currently producing 2,000 tonnes of waste a year,” stated chief technician Rory Heiner. “We are currently working on ways to reduce this by ten percent a year for the next ten years. So we can ensure a better, more environmentally friendly, future for our children.” You may also be pleased to hear that those forward thinking scientists at Idaho Falls are already planning a major celebration in 975 years time when the dangerous life of the radiation will be down to its last 9000 years. Lets hope they enjoy that birthday as much as this one.  New and used drums like these are available for sale from atnuke.com |
| Half-life of radiation from first nuclear power plant down to 9975 years |
Tuesday, 01 July 2003 12:00
