Nuclear Power: A Nuclear Power: A Renewable Energy Source Renewable Energy Source

We Should Pursue?We Should Pursue?

Will CrassWill CrassB-Block B-Block

CP Earth ScienceCP Earth Science12/17/1012/17/10

Mr. PavlikMr. Pavlik

Nuclear power is a strong step toward making the energy situation in our world better!

What is Nuclear Energy?What is Nuclear Energy?

A way of creating heat through the fission process A way of creating heat through the fission process of atoms.of atoms.

The fission process takes place when the nucleus The fission process takes place when the nucleus of a heavy atom like Uranium or Plutonium, is of a heavy atom like Uranium or Plutonium, is split in two when struck by a neutron.split in two when struck by a neutron.

The fission process on the nucleus creates two or The fission process on the nucleus creates two or three more neutrons.three more neutrons.

Since the process also creates heat energy, the Since the process also creates heat energy, the released neutrons can then repeat the process, released neutrons can then repeat the process, which creates more energy.which creates more energy.

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

NRC File Photo

VideoVideo

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v=VJfIbBDR3e8=VJfIbBDR3e8

Environmental BenefitsEnvironmental Benefits

-Nuclear power plants do not emit carbon -Nuclear power plants do not emit carbon dioxide, or any other greenhouse gasses.dioxide, or any other greenhouse gasses.

-In 2009, Nuclear power plants prevented the -In 2009, Nuclear power plants prevented the emissions of 647 million metric tons of carbon emissions of 647 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Nearly as much as the carbon dioxide dioxide. Nearly as much as the carbon dioxide released from all passengers cars in the United released from all passengers cars in the United States.States.

-Smallest environmental impact of any clean-air -Smallest environmental impact of any clean-air electricity source.electricity source.

Low CostLow Cost

Nuclear plants are the lowest cost Nuclear plants are the lowest cost producer of base-load electricity.producer of base-load electricity.

Fuel costs at nuclear power plants make Fuel costs at nuclear power plants make up 20% of the total production cost. For up 20% of the total production cost. For coal, natural gas, and oil, the costs make coal, natural gas, and oil, the costs make up 80%.up 80%.

Nuclear energy has one of the cheapest Nuclear energy has one of the cheapest production rates in the industry, which is production rates in the industry, which is 1.7 cents per kilowatt hour1.7 cents per kilowatt hour

Response To SafetyResponse To Safety One of the arguments against nuclear energy is that it One of the arguments against nuclear energy is that it

isn’t safe.isn’t safe. This is not true for a number of reasons.This is not true for a number of reasons. Every nuclear power plant has multiple back-up Every nuclear power plant has multiple back-up

safety systems, including an automatic safe shutdown safety systems, including an automatic safe shutdown mechanism.mechanism.

Nuclear plants have one of the lowest industrial Nuclear plants have one of the lowest industrial accident rates with 0.13 accidents per 200,000 accident rates with 0.13 accidents per 200,000 worker hours.worker hours.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, an independent The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, an independent federal agency, inspects and monitors each power federal agency, inspects and monitors each power plant everyday.plant everyday.

If a plant is not operating safely, the regulator will If a plant is not operating safely, the regulator will shut it down until safety practices improve.shut it down until safety practices improve.

Economic BenefitsEconomic Benefits

15,000 high-paying jobs have been added to 15,000 high-paying jobs have been added to the industry throughout the past 3 years.the industry throughout the past 3 years.

1,400-1,800 construction jobs will be created to 1,400-1,800 construction jobs will be created to build each new reactor. build each new reactor.

400-700 permanent jobs will be created to 400-700 permanent jobs will be created to operate each new reactor.operate each new reactor.

Each plant provides roughly $430 million dollars Each plant provides roughly $430 million dollars annually to local and state economies.annually to local and state economies.

Response to Handling of Waste Response to Handling of Waste

• Cans of the waste are stored underwater in special ponds, concrete structures, or casks for the necessary amount of time it takes for the radioactive waste to decay.

• The waste is stored in areas that cannot affect the environment.

• The people who come into contact with radioactive materials wear protective clothing, like one would wear when having an x-ray done.

• It is important to remember that being exposed to any amount of radioactivity is not dangerous. We encounter it every day!

Myths about Nuclear EnergyMyths about Nuclear Energy Radioactive waste from nuclear power plants is the Radioactive waste from nuclear power plants is the

most toxic waste known to man.most toxic waste known to man. Plant cooling systems greatly harm aquatic Plant cooling systems greatly harm aquatic

environments and fish populations.environments and fish populations. The industry hasn’t yet determined what to do with The industry hasn’t yet determined what to do with

the used fuel.the used fuel. Uranium supplies are running out.Uranium supplies are running out. A nuclear power plant can explode.A nuclear power plant can explode. Nuclear energy isn’t safe.Nuclear energy isn’t safe. Nuclear power plants are likely targets for Nuclear power plants are likely targets for

terrorism.terrorism. Terrorists can use commercial reactor fuel to make Terrorists can use commercial reactor fuel to make

nuclear weapons.nuclear weapons. There is no such thing as a safe dose of radiation.There is no such thing as a safe dose of radiation.

Nuclear Energy Institute

DemandDemand

The United State’s energy demand will increase 28% by The United State’s energy demand will increase 28% by 2035.2035.

This means that 300 new power plants must be This means that 300 new power plants must be constructed by 2030.constructed by 2030.

Wind and hydropower are both great alternative energy Wind and hydropower are both great alternative energy sources, and the U.S. should pursue them in the future, sources, and the U.S. should pursue them in the future, but these methods cannot solely support the country’s but these methods cannot solely support the country’s very high energy demand. very high energy demand.

In 2008, nuclear energy generated 806.2 billion kilowatt-In 2008, nuclear energy generated 806.2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2008- the second highest total ever. hours of electricity in 2008- the second highest total ever. This is enough to power one in five of all U.S. homes This is enough to power one in five of all U.S. homes and businesses. and businesses.

Conclusion

• Nuclear energy is the right energy source that our nation and planet should pursue because:

-It benefits the environment.-It has economic benefits.-It doesn’t as much as other energy sources-Our planet demands more power, and other

earth-friendly energy sources cannot solely provide for our energy hungry world.

Citations

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