Dr Christian Hoenraet - 1999 Sep: Report from a Catholic working group set up to review the issues associated with the production of nuclear energy. The working group concluded that respect for future generations requires us to make the best possible use of nuclear energy. All technologies used to produce electricity, whatever the energy source, have both advantages and disadvantages and carry certain risks. Nuclear energy looks very good when compared with the alternative technologies. Mankind is responsible for using it in an ethical manner.

Stewart Brand - 2005 May: Why environmentalists need new thinking about population growth, urbanization, genetically engineered organisms, and nuclear power. The environmentalist movement is dominated by dogmatic zealots who have a narrow concept of what needs to be done next. For these fanatics new information that demands a new approach is unwelcome. However, lots of new information is available. For instance, the world's human population has levelled off and is beginning to decline because most people live in cities where raising children is difficult. Environmentalists need to re-think their concerns. The big issue is climate change. We need to de-carbonize our energy production. The environmentalist's quasi-religious opposition to nuclear power is preventing this change. We are at a dangerous point where one more nuclear accident, even a small one, could seal off this avenue of hope. We need a revitalized nuclear initiative now.

Center for Reactor Information: A small web site run by retired engineers and scientists. All the articles posted here have been fully reviewed. This web site has been set up to provide accurate and complete information about nuclear energy using a writing style that non-technical people can understand easily. It is a small site with only a few posted articles and a few links to other information sources. However, the articles are good and the references point to the most informative sources.

John R. Cameron - 2003 Oct: Recent results from long term studies indicate that mild radiation exposure improves health A double blind study is needed to confirm the hypothesis that mild radiation improves longevity. Several long term studies indicate that this is so. Even fairly high doses, high enough to increase cancer rates, seem to cause enough beneficial effect to make overall longevity remain constant despite the inceased cancer deaths. Many standards for radiation safety are based on cancer rate statistics, so this may be the wrong base if it misses the positive effects. Settings dose standards too low as a result of using the wrong measure is causing increased costs for industry without producing any benefit. The basis for setting standards should be longevity which will the be influenced by the positive results of radiation exposure.

Jon Palfreman - : A discussion of the issues raised by the nuclear fuel cycle in France, and the policies being adopted there to gain public acceptance of the nuclear power technology. I think similar policies should be adopted in Canada.

Dr. Robert Dupont - : A question and answer session that addresses the false fears about nuclear power. A very good analysis of how people are made to be afraid.

C.W. Forsberg, P.F. Peterson, H. Zhao - 2004 Feb 28: Describes new technologies that improve the characteristics of a molten salt reactor design. Two liquid fuelled reactors were built and operated in the USA during the 1950's and 1960's. This research lead to a design for a 1000 MW(e) molten salt reactor. This paper describes the improvements that can be made in this design by using modern technologies that were not available when the original was produced. The improved technologies are Brayton helium power cycles, compact heat exchangers, and carbon-carbon composites.

Dr. Jeremy Whitlock - 2000 Apr: The CANDU technology can extend fuel use, destroy military plutonium, and reuse spent fuel from other reactors, while producing inexpensive electricity. Canada has developed a significant means for producing electricity with its CANDU reactor, a system that consumes uranium oxide fuel. This fuel does not require enrichment, a complex procedure with militaristic overtones. The CANDU technology includes: pressure tube geometry, simple fuel design, a once-through fuel cycle, and on-line refuelling. These characteristics match the CANDU system to the Canadian industrial and political environment. The CANDU reactor has a high moderator to fuel ratio, and several means to control the fission rate. This allows many different types of fuel to be fissioned: natural uranum, weapons grade plutonium, and even spent fuel from other reactors. Thorium, which is more abundant than uranium, can also be used to fuel a CANDU plant. Given its relatively simpler design, and its versatility, along with its proliferation resistant fuel cycles, the CANDU technology is an ideal choice for extending the use of fission world-wide.

Evgeny Adamov - 2004 Jun: Innovative "fast" nuclear power plants offer solutions for environmental, political, and technical issues. This article reviews the advantages of fast nuclear reactors as seen from a Russian viewpoint. Using nuclear fission to produce electricity has developed quickly, but has not dominated the energy generation industry. Military, political, environmental, and financial factors have both encouraged and constrained it. Shortages of carbon fuels, global warming, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons are all influencing the advance of nuclear electrical power. Its future depends on many factors outside the realm of strictly commercial business. Energy independence is driving its expansion in some states. Introducing safe electrical power into energy-poor regions may turn out to be the most effective means for establishing peace in these areas. Fast nuclear reactors solve all the problems of today's thermal reactors: fuel is used efficiently, used fuel is easily managed, safe operation is guaranteed, and weapon's proliferation is stopped. This makes possible an international program to improve the world's living standards.

Larry Foulke and H. Sterling Burnett - 2005 Mar 28: A summary of the facts about nuclear energy: clean, safe, reliable, inexpensive. A good summary of the attributes of reactors - inexpensive, safe, and clean. The claims about the efficiency and cost of pebble bed reactors are interesting. Also, the authors point out how new reactors can be built now for lower costs because we can standardize the components. Initially every reactor was unique, and consequently, expensive.