Facing Nuclear Power

“An Energy Shock Absorber” (editorial, Aug. 19) implied that what holds back alternative energy is a conspiracy of corporate interests. Nothing could be further from the truth. The problem with photoelectric cells and wind power is that neither will “scale up.” To replace a 1,000-megawatt gas-fired power plant would require 200 square miles of photoelectric cells. Their power output at night is zero.

Although more promising than photoelectric cells, wind power also does not scale up; and on windless days, power output is zero. Because electricity is used as it is generated, times of zero output are disastrous for the electric grid. In a future of diminishing oil and gas there will be only one power source to turn to--a Faustian bargain--nuclear power.

David C. Rowe

Tucson, Ariz.