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The Coming Uranium Crisis

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the someone-just-invent-mr-fusion dept.

tcd004 writes "MIT reports that the world is running out of fuel for our nuclear reactors due to production limitations and an aging infrastructure. Nuclear power has gained popularity as a carbon-free energy source in recent years, but Dr. Thomas Neff, a research affiliate at MIT's Center for International Studies, warned that fuel scarcity could drive up prices and kill the industry before it gets back on its feet. Passport has pulled together some interesting numbers: there are 440 reactors currently in operation and 82 new plants under construction. The demand for fuel has driven the price of uranium up more than 40% in the last few months — 900% over the last decade. You can follow the spot price for a pound of uranium. "

6 of 485 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah by voice_of_all_reason · · Score: 5, Funny

    But they have free Super Saver Shipping, so it balances out.

  2. Solution by FredDC · · Score: 4, Funny

    1/ Find a country with lots of uranium.
    2/ Invade in the name of freedom.
    3/ Profit!

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    1. Re:Solution by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Funny
      Don't worry, we're only coming to bring you democracy.

      ...wait, you do? Already, huh?

      Well, in that case, we're just coming for an extended vacation.

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      SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    2. Re:Solution by Gavin+Rogers · · Score: 4, Funny

      You stay away from Australia, now, you hear?

  3. Finally! by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 4, Funny

    And they said I was stupid to invest in all this uranium when it was cheap! Now, if I could just stop coughing up blood long enough to take some photos for eBay, I'll be set for life...

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    Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
  4. Re:Which is why India's looking at thorium... by paeanblack · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yes, that's the problem. Unfortunately I don't see a way to solve it, do you? Plutonium is pretty awesome stuff, and I don't think manufacturing it at 500 places around the world is such a great idea. Nuclear proliferation isn't a technical problem, but it is a problem.

    We can solve the problem by designing bigger and better weapons. A century ago, nitroglycerin manufacturing was once an international political issue. Today, we really couldn't care less if some country wants to play with dynamite. Once nuclear weapons no longer instill the greatest fears, the uranium industry can start operating without the detrimental extra-market forces.

    That's what we call the "peace dividend" :-/