As Nuclear Reactors Age, the Money To Close Them Lags

Harperdog writes "A worrying bit of news about nuclear reactors in the U.S. from the NYT: 'The operators of 20 of the nation's aging nuclear reactors, including some whose licenses expire soon, have not saved nearly enough money for prompt and proper dismantling. If it turns out that they must close, the owners intend to let them sit like industrial relics for 20 to 60 years or even longer while interest accrues in the reactors' retirement accounts.'"

Like a wife

[PPH]

They might be expensive to keep around. Until you price a divorce.

Re:Like a wife

[linatux]

Where's "+1 Sad" when you need it?

I sure hope so!

[evilviper]

Hell yeah! Nuclear power plants going for cheap. I'll take one! Surplus ICBM silos are interesting, but have far too many drawbacks. But nuclear power plants? Those things are bigger than a city block, above ground, extremely stable, etc. I'd love to buy one.

For starters, I think I'd start cutting up one of the cooling towers, until it looked like a giant medieval castle, just smooth and round instead of 4 stone walls. Re-enactments of Monty Python's & the Holy Grail are, of course, obligatory.

After that, I'd have to buy as much flesh-tone paint as I can afford. It would take some time, but just think of it... http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_omMU_7Vv1us/S7aqBJUCP_I/AAAAAAAAAIE/HMaftmCYRGM/s1600/san-onofre_songs.jpg [slashdot.org]">Giant nuclear boobies!

As an added bonus, nuclear power plants always need ample water, so you're guaranteed to get a private lake, river, or beachfront property, no matter which one you buy. They're also universally pretty close to mega population centers, so, while it's likely a nice quiet location, you won't be too far from a major city, unlike many of those silos.

Clean up is simple

[viperidaenz]

Do it the way 1st world countries deal with e-waste and other heavy metal contaminated waste. Ship it off to a 3rd world country!

Re:Unlikely

[Stan92057]

yep your right this is how we lost manufacturing in the USA also. We are all taxed..heavily for the repairs to roads and bridges only to have our politicians rape the coffers so now we don't have the funds to repair our Bridges because they need it but have to wait until a bridge falls down to get it fixed.

Re:Is there anyone left that plays things straight

[Farmer Tim]

Nice of you to provide a comprehensive list.