Originally Posted by Shotout  ...With all the RIFed nuke sailors out their on the job market I wouldn't see there being a shortage of experianced, dedicated and qualified personel to staff these theoretical plants. |
This is a good point. The question is how many are there 15 to 20 years from being released from the Navy. Because this really is when they will be needed, actually the earliest they will be needed, because the Greenies will delay things until the absolute last minute which could mean years.
And if I give the impression I am being too critical that is unfortunate. I guess it is the way I approach things; I always look for reasons why something might not work or for the difficulties in making it work rather than going on optimistically why everything is such a wonderful idea.
As I mentioned earlier I think the only solution long term is nuclear; unless we want our descendants to go back to horse and buggy. But you probably have read Skullworks thread about the State of the Machinist Trade...; particularly his comments about how businesses take such a short term view of things these days. Right now I don't think there are any companies with the combination of capabilities and long term vision to start embarking on nuclear. How many investors are going to put money into something with the image nuclear has; investments that will not pay off for decades.
Which leaves the image of government doing it? Remember the US Navy Nuclear program was run by a very competent and dedicated guy who steamrollered over everyone to gets things done his way...which was the correct way. He was also a man dedicated to serving his country and public and political support was behind a strong armed forces back then so money was no object.
The public and political situation is different these days. I don't think senior career armed forces personnel have changed but the politicians who can make their life difficult or impossible certainly have.
I am pessimistic I don't see the kind of sensible, forward thinking attitude that is needed as existing these days.