Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Soviet Missiles Power Your Toaster

You learn something new every day. Did you know that much of our nation's electricity comes from decommissioned nuclear warheads including the Soviet made bombs that had 1950s kids practicing "duck and cover" in their classrooms?

The New York Times reports:

In the last two decades, nuclear disarmament has become an integral part of the electricity industry, little known to most Americans.

Salvaged bomb material now generates about 10 percent of electricity in the United States — by comparison, hydropower generates about 6 percent and solar, biomass, wind and geothermal together account for 3 percent.

Utilities have been loath to publicize the Russian bomb supply line for fear of spooking consumers: the fuel from missiles that may have once been aimed at your home may now be lighting it.