Regarding the Nov. 27 article "Rokkasho plant too dangerous, costly: expert": I was surprised to read in the article that "On Oct. 16, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency announced plans to increase the share of nuclear power to 53 percent of (Japan's) total electricity supply by 2100 from the current 30 percent," especially after reading in Kevin Rafferty's Nov. 26 article, "Too much for the Earth to bear," that at the present rate of use, the world's known uranium reserves will be exhausted within as little as 80 years.
So, the JAEA wants to invest heavily in infrastructure that will likely be inoperable by the time of completion!? Brilliant that. And this planned boondoggle will be largely funded by the Japanese taxpayer I presume.
It seems clear that, barring any breakthrough in nuclear fusion, society is going to have to learn to live with a combination of solar, wind, biomass and geothermal energy, or do without. Then wouldn't it be better to start seriously investing in these now so that we might make a smooth transition, rather than be forced into the unpleasant prospect of scrambling for diminishing resources against increased competition?
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