There was a useful political comment from reader John Stotz, of Fallon, NV:

I am frankly a little disappointed in Nevada’s congressional delegation with regards to this issue, although I can understand their position when one considers the historical record. The historical record would reveal that generations of these people living near or downwind from above-ground nuclear testing in the 50’s have suffered severe, life-shortening health problems. There is certainly a legacy of distrust to overcome.

That being said, we have come a long way since above-ground testing. I honestly believe the approach should be based on the idea that Nevada can be the repository, Nevada can become the Nation’s experts in meeting this need, and oh by the way, here is what it will cost you America: completely subsidized education or energy, or a medical plan or what have you, for the citizens of Nevada).

The fact of the matter is that the project will probably happen no matter what Sen Reid does. It will no doubt happen in a crawl/walk/run fashion in order to mitigate hazards and reduce liabilities over many years, based on “sound science”, and it will no doubt improve as technology improves. My point is, it could happen with the support of the Nevada congressional delegation, with an eye to being in it from the ground floor to ensure every possible safeguard and mitigation is in place, deriving every possible benefit from it for the people they represent, while meeting one of the nation’s critical needs. Or it could proceed as it is now, with our leadership emotionally casting Nevada and its environment in the role of potential “victim”, and when the project comes to pass, then having to negotiate any derived benefits from a position of weakness in the form of “reparations”. With the advent and rapid development of Indian gaming, this state desperately needs to diversify and this is a huge opportunity if emotion can be laid to rest and our leadership willing to meet the challenge of doing it right.

He could be right. But I’m still hoping that this, combined with several other ongoing events, could encourage some new thinking about space transport.