Silence on geothermal deafening

Patrick Moore

May 11, 2007

Tyler Hamilton's column on potential energy sources for the oil sands makes an unreasonable comparison between proven nuclear-energy technology and large-scale deep geothermal technology that would harness energy from the Earth's molten core.

 We know that nuclear energy can deliver clean, safe and affordable energy to Alberta's oil sands. By comparison, the harnessing of deep geothermal energy from the Earth's molten core has yet to be proven effective on a large scale at the depths that would be required in Alberta.

Spent nuclear fuel is not waste. Recycling spent fuel will greatly reduce the need for treatment and disposal.

 As for the reference to Chernobyl, it was an accident waiting to happen. This early Russian design had no containment structure, unlike all reactors in the West.  It was a bad design with shoddy construction and unprofessional operating procedures. It's simply unfair to compare it to any nuclear reactor design in the West.

 A combination of nuclear energy, wind, geothermal heat pumps (not to be confused with Hamilton's idea of using deep geothermal technology) and hydro is the most environmentally friendly way to meet Alberta's, Canada's and the world's increasing energy needs.

Patrick Moore, Chair, Greenspirit Strategies Ltd.,

Vancouver, BC