Reason for and a critical question about 2012's 6.9% decline in nuclear production

[cprise]

39. So one needs to be a misanthrope to hold nuclear energy dear

Think of all the investment in terms of time and resources in expanding the nuclear fleet many times over during the coming decades. In the middle of that expansion with, say, 10x the nuclear generation we have now, a major accident occurs causing the evacuation of a large population center.

What happens next??

The nuclear establishment would have to have some way of controlling people's impressions and reactions, otherwise people might try to force nuclear generators offline. They would need to already have a full-blown police state in place to have any chance of preventing the grid from buckling.

If you think that sounds odd, consider these developments from the top nuclear-loving countries:

* Japan enacts a state secrets bill to protect the revival of nuclear energy-- harsh punishment for leakers/whistleblowers.

* France is revealed to spy on its citizens to an extent that surpasses the NSA+DEA.

* Russia and China became nuclear's two actual cases of contemporary expansion, but seem like they would be unlikely examples of a nuclear civil society. (Perhaps some of you could elaborate on the nature of public inquiry and accountability in these countries.)

* We have the USA's own nascent police state: Widespread militarization of the police, mass surveillance, and a hardly professional lust for maximum punishment in the criminal justice system (mass incarceration). Part of that expansion was built on official banter about "dirty bombs". Even before 9-11, people in positions of power have been firmly reminded of their roles as protectors of extremely dangerous concentrations of physical power; its a major source of self-importance in the establishment mind that engenders no positive characteristics in governance.

Here is a slice of true nuclear paranoia-- probably San Onofre's last 'gift' to civil society.

I think these trends are shaping up into a lesson on the intersection of human nature and nuclear technology. Perhaps people sense when a thing brings out the worst in them, and set their minds to distancing themselves from it.