New Jersey's Radioactive Water Supply Is No Joking Matter

Making jokes about New Jersey comes as naturally to New Yorkers as giving tourists purposefully misleading directions (not that I've done that of course). Radioactive water in Southern New Jersey however, is not humorous at all (save for the fictional Springfield that the Simpsons live in). This is a real problem, and officials are scrambling to ensure that as much drinking water is protected as possible.

From the AP:

LACEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Radioactive water that leaked from the nation's oldest nuclear power plant has now reached a major underground aquifer that supplies drinking water to much of southern New Jersey, the state's environmental chief said Friday.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has ordered the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station to halt the spread of contaminated water underground, even as it said there was no imminent threat to drinking water supplies.

The department launched a new investigation Friday into the April 2009 spill and said the actions of plant owner Exelon Corp. have not been sufficient to contain water contaminated with tritium.

A friend of mine and I were discussing the safety of nuclear energy last night and I mentioned Indian Point as an example of what can go wrong with nuclear facilities. He's in favor of nuclear power, arguing that newer power plants are much better at containing the harmful effects of radioactive contamination.

Now I grant that the Exelon plant in New Jersey is the country's oldest and that per my friend's assertion, this isn't coming from a newer facility. He also mentioned that even a jet plane could not crack the fifteen foot thick steel-reinforced walls they build for the reactors. However, the fact remains that plenty of older facilities remain open for business and continue to be threats to their surrounding environments. Further, due to the laws of mother nature, eventually these new super structures will decay and become threats. For more information, start at the webpage for the World Nuclear Association.

McCain Forgets Disasters At Three Mile Island And Chernobyl

The Chernobyl disaster occurred in the old Soviet Union, so perhaps John McCain may not care about Mother Russia much. Three Mile Island was right here in the U.S. and on some days upwind from his frequent location of Washington, D.C. However he showed his ignorance of nuclear safety and his arrogance for the American people for mocking Obama over the issue. McCain has grown increasingly nasty in his attacks on Barack Obama but this one truly affects us all.

From RawStory:

Sen. John McCain ramped up his attacks against Democratic opponent Barack Obama on Saturday, criticizing the Illinois senator for saying that nuclear power needed to be done safely.

The Republican candidate referenced the final presidential debate Oct. 15, in which Obama qualified McCain's support of nuclear energy and offshore drilling with the need to protect the environment.

"You know, the other night in a debate I said his eloquence is admirable but pay attention to his words," McCain said. "We talked about offshore drilling and he said he would, quote, 'consider' offshore drilling. We talked about nuclear power. Well, it has to be safe, environment, blah blah blah."

"Blah, blah blah," there you have it folks, John McCain's policy on nuclear safety in one word repeated thrice. With nothing left to his campaign including honor and dignity, the once imagined Maverick is long gone. The only thing that remains is a grumpy old man being led by campaign advisers such as Steve Schmidt and Rick Davis who command him to sling mud at will. The nuclear strategy has truly blown up in his face.

You're Not Gonna Believe This One

President Bush, saying one thing and doing another.....over and over and over again.



It really does amaze me how Bush can talk tough about going after Iran for trying to obtain nuclear capabilities, while simultaneously funding their research. Wow.

Stop Children, Whats That Nuclear Sound?

It doesn't take an artist to tell you nuclear power is wrong when the availability of wind and solar power is so plentiful, so just sign the pledge here.