re: #212 BishopX

For a given definition of local, yes. Any significant fire at a nuclear fuel storage facility has the potential to spread C137 thousands of miles. The fukishima accident, which so far has seen relatively minor radiation releases, has had an effect as far east as the west coast of the US, about than 5,000 miles away. If a similar incident were to occur in California, most of the continental USA would be effected. So for a given definition of local, nuclear is only a local threat. I just don’t think we really have enough room left to run away.

Thousands of miles is still not global. I live in New England so I don’t really have to worry about nuclear pollution from Japan. (And I’m not saying that out of a lack of sympathy for those who live closer — there’s plenty of nuclear plants around here that could fry my bacon any day now.)

And I don’t think anyone on the West Coast of the US needs to worry either. The amount of radiation detected is not dangerous.