Time Out

Until things back on track there would be less noise and talk on nuclear energy. The new government has just been formed as it picks up speed the view on nuclear energy would be known.. could it be even more friendlier towards nuclear power?

Energy and Advanced Technology

Energy should not be the sole consideration for embarking on a nuclear power program. The spin-offs effect should also be a motivator. This aspect is not so obvious in other types of power plant. This is also an aspect that has not been adequately communicated to the public. It adds to the justification to have such a program beyond just fulfilling energy needs, which is open for debate, and may not be strong enough to carry the push to have such a program alone.
The stringent demand for exactness, precision, and use of materials with special properties demand special capability and knowledge. Such capability, developed for the nuclear industry, would diffuse to other areas resulting in the overall uplifting of the quality and capability in the industry as a whole.

Human Error

To err is human. Frequently we hear this saying whenever something bad happens as a result of human action. Many nuclear accidents, and incidents, are the result of human error. The same is attributed to the safe automatic shutdown of nuclear reactors in Florida recently. It caused considerable loss and inconvenience to say the least to users and consumers, and the utility company itself, but the nuclear reactors behaved as expected and did not cause any accident.
Nonetheless some may regard that as nuclear accidents and regard safety issues as endemic to nuclear reactors. Unless the cause is made clear and explained to the public that misunderstanding may indeed take root in the mind of the public and nuclear energy will be regarded as unsafe.
Human error cannot be avoided, but measures that are put in place through advancement in engineering and technology minimize its effect on the system. Even so, it is best that the safety system is not challenged. Hence administrative means must be put in place to minimize that possibility. However, put everything in place, technical and administrative control, engineered safety features, and everything, without safety culture, those measures will not be effective.
Still, regrettably, any 'nuclear accidents' are taken by the public as technological flaw or weakness, not due to human infallibility. Road accidents happen every second and yet vehicles, as it should be, have never been branded as flawed. It is the driver that is at fault. Shouldn't the same be the case for nuclear reactors too?