Don Evans wrote on July 02, 2008 10:20 AM: Jim Nance,

Look at the various comments posted below for your answer. The key, as with any other type of power generation, is redundancy of the production systems and the generation of a surfeit of power for storage.

For the price of one nuclear generator (approx. 1.5 billion in current dollars), you could build approximately 1500 solar furnaces; without the nuclear physical security, storage, or transportation requirements of fissionable materials. This would provide both; a power surplus, and operations risk diversification.

Roger wrote on July 02, 2008 09:30 AM: "How about congress not only renew the solar subsidies but make them more enticing to the homeowners in the U.S.? I would assume that if we could rebate 60+% of the costs of solar systems that darn near every house in Nevada would have solar panels on it. "

Because they want us to buy the energy from big companies! Making it cheap for the homeowner will not give big profits to Reid's contributers.

Roger wrote on July 02, 2008 09:23 AM: Reid is a jackass and I have decided not to vote democrat this November. Those of us who don't want to see our deserts plastered with solar panels are really unhappy with this stupid political idiot.

Jim Nance wrote on July 01, 2008 04:01 PM: What happens if the sun does shine for a week?

Don Evans wrote on July 01, 2008 02:47 PM: Jim Nance,

Financing for solar is also fixed, whereas finite fuel energy generation is dependent upon variable inputs which are; finite (by definition), and increase in cost with consumption (also by definition).

Whereas finite fuel energy generation becomes more expensive with time, solar energy generation costs remain the same; that is, at the cost of capital.

In short, solar and other technologies are inevitable, more cost effective and efficient over the long term, and potentially more profitable than finite fuel alternatives; the environmental impacts of fossil fuel consumption notwithstanding.

Who reimburses Nevadans when... wrote on July 01, 2008 02:27 PM: Who will reimburse Nevadans when a disgruntled nuclear power employee kills his fellow employees with a knife from the common kitchen and thus gets free reign to wreak havoc with the nuclear reactor?

Who will reimburse Nevadans when religious fanatics overtake semi-trailer trucks hauling nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain and hold the highway hostage?

Who will reimburse Nevadans when the earthquake fault under Yucca Mountain ruptures and radioactive waste contaminates the water, and spreads the radioactivity?

No engineering can prepare for ALL possibilities of UNPREDICTABLE HUMAN BEHAVIOR and Mother Nature. Therefore, what are the consequences when the engineering designs fail?

If all you have are broken mirrors, then no problem.

Needless to say, if you have a nuclear meltdown, or radioactive contamination, no amount of "reimbursement" will be worth it.

Solar Wannabe wrote on July 01, 2008 02:21 PM: How about congress not only renew the solar subsidies but make them more enticing to the homeowners in the U.S.? I would assume that if we could rebate 60+% of the costs of solar systems that darn near every house in Nevada would have solar panels on it.

If we could get 40+% of the homes to put up solar nationwide imagine what our demand for oil would be? Coal and Petroleum was used to generate ~54% of our nations electricity in 2000, and just over 50% in 2006.

three eyed fish wrote on July 01, 2008 01:57 PM: Actually we could build enough nuclear plants to have free power and sell the remainig to other states. It could generate enough positive revenue to possibly result in Nevada residents receiving checks every year similar to the checks that Alasakns get for the pipeline.

ince Nevadans screwed themselves out of the checks we would have received for yucca Mountain, this would be our next opportunity to get reimbursed for the waste facility that WILL be built in Nevada. This being said there are a lot of ignorant people around that think that it is still the 20th century and that nuclear power is unsafe. Well guess what it is safe and Dragnet is no longer a hit.

NUKE _ FREE ELECTIRC wrote on July 01, 2008 01:14 PM: Give is Free Nuke Plants to create Free electirc for Nevadans - then we will take Yucca ..

I am sure I am the only one who thaought of that and all of our paid politicinas can politicize it so much and overlook the posibilities right?

Why heat dirt? wrote on July 01, 2008 01:07 PM: Hawaii is so tiny -- ranks 43rd in total area among the 50 states. Nevada ranks 7th.

And the US Federal government, via the Bureau of Land Management, controls 67% of the land in Nevada.

Why heat dirt?

That's a lot of energy being wasted.

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