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Nuclear fuel cycle requires huge energy, and emits huge C02

Some estimate that the energy requirements of mining and milling lean ores may surpass the energy produced in a nuclear reactor.

5 Questions Iowans Should Answer Before Accepting Nuclear Power, Blog for Iowa, by Paul Deaton, 17 May 2010,” .… 2.    Do you accept the socialization of nuclear power? In a recent study in Idaho, Warren Buffet’s MidAmerican Energy found that there is no financial return on investment in nuclear power without substantial government subsidies. Our open market system of capitalism won’t support nuclear power without government subsidies.

3.   If you think nuclear power has no CO2 emissions, did you consider emissions from uranium mining and milling?
Unlike oil, coal, natural gas and other hydrocarbon fuels that were deposited underground in large, concentrated deposits, uranium is a metal. To extract uranium from the ore requires energy. The amount of energy required to extract uranium varies depending on the concentration of the metal in the ore and the technique used to extract it. Some estimate that the energy requirements of mining and milling lean ores may surpass the energy produced in a nuclear reactor. In addition to the energy for the milling process, the mill tailings must be remediated. This means neutralizing mill tailings with limestone, mixing them with bentonite to immobilize them and isolate them from groundwater, transporting them back to the mine and covering them and replanting natural vegetation. All of this takes energy, which means CO2 emissions.

Blog for Iowa :: 5 Questions Iowans Should Answer Before Accepting Nuclear Power

May 16, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 2 WORLD, climate change | antinuclear, climate change, global warming, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear spin, nuclear technology, nuclear weapons, uranium