Power problems

Sitaram Yechury by suggesting other ways of power generation by fossil fuels and hydel-power, fails to recognise their deleterious effect on the environment in the long-run.

Sitaram Yechury’s analysis Tripping up on energy (August 30) about the viability of coal over nuclear energy does not always hold good. The ash content in Indian coal is very high and thermal power plants need coal that is cleaner with lesser ash content. Processing coal to mitigate this problem is very expensive. Disposal and recycling of left-over ash is also problematic. Nuclear power, on the other hand, does not have these problems. Although reactor and spent fuels are radioactive, these are relatively compact.

V. Shastry
Pleasanton CA

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Sitaram Yechury by suggesting other ways of power generation by fossil fuels and hydel-power, fails to recognise their deleterious effect on the environment in the long-run. Nuclear energy, on the other hand, is environmentally safer and efficient. Future generations will curse us if we fail to acquire civilian nuclear technology right now.

Robin B. Thomas
Noida