[4everfsu]

From what I've read, a small nuclear reactor costs upwards of $500 million. So, there's that.

Maybe so but with the nuclear reactor companies in the area, they may be interested in cutting the cost,etc, They will benefit with the stream of nuclear engineers coming out of LU.

[adam42381]

Or, Liberty could just partner up with a company that already has a simulator up and running.

[4everfsu]

Or, Liberty could just partner up with a company that already has a simulator up and running.

Also true.

[From the class of 09]

Good luck getting approval for any nuclear reactors from the ecoterrorists in this administration, let alone for an organization they perceive to be a bunch of whackos to begin with.

What are you talking about?

He's referencing us considering a nuclear engineering program.

Why do we need approval from ecoterrorist or need to build a reactor to start a nuclear engineering program? Dial down the Fox News ometer. Not everything is Obama's fault...

We happen to be in the same small town with the two biggest nuclear companies in America. No reason we can't/shouldn't have a nuclear engineering program.

[jbock13]

It's a relevant point, only in the permitting process.

[From the class of 09]

It's a relevant point, only in the permitting process.

If we wanted to build a nuclear reactor not if we want a nuclear engineering major.

[olldflame]

Good luck getting approval for any nuclear reactors from the ecoterrorists in this administration, let alone for an organization they perceive to be a bunch of whackos to begin with.

What are you talking about?

In 4everfsu´s post he suggested that as a part of a nuclear engineering program, perhaps we could have a small reactor on campus. I couldn´t quote it because of the 3 embed limit.

[4everfsu]

Good luck getting approval for any nuclear reactors from the ecoterrorists in this administration, let alone for an organization they perceive to be a bunch of whackos to begin with.

What are you talking about?

In 4everfsu´s post he suggested that as a part of a nuclear engineering program, perhaps we could have a small reactor on campus. I couldn´t quote it because of the 3 embed limit.

Correct and just like if you have a wind mill on your property any leftover electricity left can be sold to the local electric company. That is the way I understand it.

[logic]

Woah there. I suggested a nuclear engineering program, not spending 500 million on a reactor on campus. I'm not an expert in the field but you don't need a reactor to have a program. Also, petroleum engineering doesn't have to be located in Texas. Plenty of schools nowhere near Houston have the degree.

[rogers3]

B&W mPower... designed and tested right here in Lynchburg. We couldn't afford it (costs as much as 900M), but we could fit it on campus, for sure. Apparently it will be the first small reactor to make it to market; the first is being developed in TN and will be operational in 9 years.

[Purple Haize]

Woah there. I suggested a nuclear engineering program, not spending 500 million on a reactor on campus. .

You need to take some time off of this board. You are losing your vision!

[olldflame]

I wonder what our electric bill is every year? Gotta be well into 7 figures. Who knows, if you figure that as we grow we would be saving more and more every year there, plus whatever could be made by selling the excess, it might not be as unrealistic as it seems from a purely financial standpoint.

Again, the real problem would be getting it approved by the AEC. They have been paranoid about approving new reactors since 3 mile island. Then just when it looked like they were going to loosen up a little, the earthquake/tsunami thing in Japan happened. That scenario literally could not happen anywhere in the USA, but I still see it setting back reactor approvals here for years.

[ATrain]

I think an energy engineering program would be great...could focus on nuclear and petroleum, maybe even wind and solar. As mentioned, Lynchburg has Areva and B&W, the Navy has 5 nuclear powered carriers based in Norfolk, plus our lawmakers are pushing for offshore oil drilling and wind energy development. LU could be a magnet to attract people interested in those fields.

[olldflame]

I think an energy engineering program would be great...could focus on nuclear and petroleum, maybe even wind and solar. As mentioned, Lynchburg has Areva and B&W, the Navy has 5 nuclear powered carriers based in Norfolk, plus our lawmakers are pushing for offshore oil drilling and wind energy development. LU could be a magnet to attract people interested in those fields.

And if you made it a truly diverse program with a strong alternative energy component it could also demonstrate that being conservative does not mean you have your head in the sand regarding the need to conserve fossel fuels and minimize emissions where practical.

[Sly Fox]

The last word of your post is the key.

Marcellus & Bakken were the tip of the iceberg in shale development. And the wet plays that are the most lucrative are being found everywhere in North America. Right now the petroleum industry is desperately seeking engineers fresh out of college because most of the engineering staffers at the major IOCs and key independents are all hitting retirement age. That's because entire generations of engineers went pursuing the more exciting opportunities in the semiconductor industry. The bidding for recent petro engineers can get intense.

[flamehunter]

Agreed. Good engineering students are pretty much guranteed jobs coming out of school. We have an intern at work right now from Liberty (industrial eng major) that will most likely be coming on full time after he graduates in May. I'm kinda proud of him too since I had him in AWANAS when he was in 5-6th grade. Great kid and really sharp.

I think the idea of a nuclear reactor on campus would only have a minuscule chance of ever happening and even then only if B&W and Areva jumped on board with it whole hog and made it happen.

[logic]

So again the leveling behind the baseball stadium..more parking?

[soccer7]

Yes logic it is more parking right behind the outfield fence.

[badger74]

Many schools that teach nuclear eng do no thave a reactor on campus as it is mostly theory anyway. Also the nuclear firms hire many engineers that are not nuclear majors. I recently looked at the lists for the local companies and they want all kinds of engineers. My school does have one on campus and it can be a PITA with all the regs, security etc. Nice but not necessary.

http://www.engr.wisc.edu/ep/newsletter/ ... clear.html

http://badgerherald.com/news/2009/02/09 ... clear_.php

[4everfsu]

NCSU as I said has a nuclear reactor

http://www.ne.ncsu.edu/

MSTU has one

http://nuclear.mst.edu/

TA&M has two reactors

http://nuclear.tamu.edu/about/main/

PSU has one

http://www.mne.psu.edu/About/


Even little Colorado Schools of Mines has just started a new degree offering in Nuclear Engineering.
http://nuclear.mines.edu/

And partnering with the Fed in use of a reactor

http://nusec.mines.edu/

BTW if a young person got a nuclear engineering degree and learned the French language he or her would have a job for lifetime. If not in the USA at least in France as all their electricity is nuclear driven.


I could go on and on of the colleges that have nuclear reactors still a good major to be offered.

[flamehunter]

One thing you will notice, all of those school's reactors were built pre-TMI. Most were built during the nuclear boom of the 1950's. The feasibility of building one now is drastically different than it was then.

[Sly Fox]

For the record, "little Colorado Schools of Mines" is one of the elite engineering schools in the nation.

[Purple Haize]

For the record, "little Colorado Schools of Mines" is one of the elite engineering schools in the nation.

The Orediggers?

[Sly Fox]

Absolutely.

[Purple Haize]

Absolutely.

favorite college nick name of all time!