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Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard
They last only 40-60 years. We are now having to pay for decommissioning - which will take at least 10 years, and could take much more than that. The first one is Vermont Yankee, and soon Pilgrim.
They budgeted $1 Billion to do this. And WHERE will the radioactive materials go?
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Lifespan was arbitrarily chosen at 40 years. Most plants get 20 year extensions, and it's expected most could get further extensions beyond that, up to 100 years.
Nuclear reactor life spans get extended - US news - Environment | NBC News
Nuclear "waste" is not a problem. They could store it in my backyard for all I care. I'll charge a fee for the privilege, along with a release of ownership that way I can sell it back to the energy companies when they begin building reactors that run on "waste".
Vermont's nuke plants are being decommissioned due to political pressure and cheap natural gas electricity, not due to safety concerns. Vermont also has the highest electricity price in the 48 states, and has to import most of the electricity they consume.