France Goes Nuclear

... fusion that is. After nearly two years of argument, the industrialized nations that matter have agreed to build a $10 billion nuclear fusion research facility in France. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (Iter) will be built in southern France, in Cadarache, not far from Marseille, already the hub of France's nuclear research programme. Already, environmentalists are raising alarms about the project. To accomplish nuclear fusion, the project will have to heat gases to temperatures hotter than the Sun -- and Cadarache apparently lies on an earthquake faultline. The expense is also at issue, as there is no guarantee that there will be any success, or that any useful technologies will emerge from the project.

Personally, I think the research is a good idea, and a good waste of money. And if any meltdown happens, it's going to happen in France!