I'm a little torn on whether or not Saskatchewan should get the nod for an isotope producing nuclear research reactor. It seems a natural progression since we introduced cobalt 60 for cancer treatment and have the Syncroton. I like the idea of being a science city. My hesitation is my conditioned fear of all things nuclear.
I not sure if my uncertainty stems from a fear that our decisions makers are wearing rose-colored glasses or that we'll all take on a rosy glow.
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Ah Mistress, I hope this isn't the NIMBY attitude that encircles this city. As for the conditioning the anti-nukes have done on you for so many years... I think one only needs to listen to the younger generation. Most have no fear because they embrace new technologies far quicker. As for any glowing "Tis the Season".
ReplyDeleteI dont think we need be concerned about the harmful effects of nuclear generation. We mine uranium but seem to fear the benefits of value added projects.We do have nuclear medicine & it would seem a natural fit.
ReplyDeleteMy primary concern is the operating costs & the seemingly low profit gain from this particular project. If we cant ensure our citizens of good returns then there is no point. But I do think Saskatchewan should look to expanding our uranium development opportunities & the potential for more highly skilled good paying jobs....God knows we need them!
The only problem with 'nuclear' was how it was introduced to the mass of society in the form of an atomic bomb and then followed by a weapons race and nuclear weapons pointed back and forth across the globe. Since that time most older generation people have associated 'nuclear' with weapons and war. Not helping the situations were poorly constructed cookie cutter Soviet nuclear factories built to counter.
ReplyDeletePerception is everything and older generations refuse to get over the fears. As mentioned by the above response the younger generation has embraced nuclear power more openly (and those who oppose it generally have loosely constructed arguments against it that make little sense).
PJ2, you touched on one of the main reasons why nuclear is a good fit here. That is the surrounding jobs that it creates. Even if a reactor was not producing at a profitable level the impact it has on the science industry is immeasurable. It adds one more piece to the puzzle in establishing a strong scientific community in Saskatoon. There more niches that we can add to our scientific industry the more jobs you will see established here, and the more companies vying for research time on the Syncroton.
ReplyDeleteYes, agreed. It would be an excellent fit here and would further establish our University/City as an innovation leader. In actual fact, we already have a "reactor" on campus. The SRC runs a "slowpoke" reactor at their facilities in Innovation Place.
ReplyDeleteIf we are talking a reactor for medical isotopes, do we really need to see a profit in dollars and cents. If that is the case then lets get on with opening up medicare to the for-profit clinics etc. Something I know I will not see in my lifetime, too bad. Talk about being a province full of hypocritical people, we mine the stuff we should be willing to take on the full process from start to finish. VALUE ADDED people. That has been this Province's problem for years, we continue to ship out our raw materials to others to make the money. We have an opportunity to take responsibility for our actions and take the cash cow uranium to the next level.
ReplyDeleteAs I said I'm torn, but I'm not fixed in a pro or con position. I like the idea, know the potential benefits and admit to a conditioned fear.
ReplyDeleteThanks for helping me gain comfort in the possibility.