| Nuclear energy safe and cleaner
Regarding letter writer Paul Burton's thoughts on the nuclear waste storage problem (Nov. 26): The alleged nuclear waste problem was solved long ago. Nuclear “waste" can be encased in glass, and the glass encased in titanium — iron or steel rust and can leak — and stored in Yucca Mountain. Opponents say it may leak in time. It won't leak for approximately 500 years; after 500 years, any possible leaked radiation will be at a nonharmful level. Anyone worried about the unlikely scenario of nuclear waste leaking into the water supply need only buy a $200 water filter for their home; because the plutonium molecule is too big to get through the filters, and that's what is radioactive. Plutonium, which has a long half-life and emits alpha radiation, is relatively safe to handle, unlike other more lethal radioactive elements.
Dem announces bid to unseat Beers
Allison Copening, a public affairs official with the Las Vegas Springs Preserve, confirmed Tuesday that she plans to run for state Senate against Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas. Copening, a Democrat, declined to comment further on her candidacy, saying she's in the process of stepping down from the Las Vegas Valley Water District, in part to avoid conflicts of interest. A 43-year-old graduate of Bonanza High School, Copening previously worked in corporate public affairs and marketing, most recently for homebuilder Pulte Homes/Del Webb. Beers, a 48-year-old accountant and business consultant, has represented the far northwestern 6th District for four years. In 2006, he ran unsuccessfully against Gov. Jim Gibbons for the Republican gubernatorial nomination.
Medrad 'goes green' at Saxonburg plant
Medrad's new assembly plant in Victory Road Business Park has been built to qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification. The idea behind the certification is to do well by doing good: erecting and operating buildings that put less stress on the environment and workers, and offer the potential to reduce construction and operating costs. The LEED certification system was developed by the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council. When the projects were being planned, Medrad's top executives and board reviewed information on LEED certification for both the Victory Road factory and for the company's new Global Center headquarters in Marshall, according to Eric Ferchaw, the company's director of global facilities. Directors agreed that "going green" would improve working conditions for employees, offer financial benefits, help the company's public image and aid the environment.
It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superdelegate
With the Democratic Presidential Primary race so closely knotted, there has been a lot of talk about so-called "Superdelegates." Faster than an '89 Yugo, more powerful than a thousand voters, able to leap public opinion in a single bound, these "Wonks of Steel" will wield great power come August and the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. What is the mysterious secret of their origins? The Political Machine has the answers, with a little help from Wikipedia. No, they weren't rocketed here from some distant, doomed planet. There are a few different ways to become a "Superdelegate", but it really amounts to something like an alumni association, the purpose of which is to act as a firewall against a crazy electorate, and to retain some party control in a fragmented election.
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