This blog is written to respond to a middle school student in California who had some questions about nuclear power. I am happy that he is interested in nuclear power and the benefits it can provide.
1. Do you think nuclear energy is a controversial topic and why?
Nuclear is a controversial topic, there is no question about that. I’m glad you asked why. From my point of view, it is so controversial because people do not know how nuclear power works. And you’ll come to find out that people don’t like what they don’t know. Once people understand how clean, reliable and affordable nuclear energy is, the controversy will end.
Here’s a link to information on nuclear power and how it works:
http://resources.nei.org/justthefacts/default.html
2. Are you for or against nuclear energy and why?
I am absolutely for nuclear energy because it can provide a clean, reliable source of energy which this country needs. I know how nuclear power works and I know that it can provide the affordable energy which this country needs.
3. Do you think the U.S. should start using nuclear energy and why?
Building off your previous question, the United States currently has 104 nuclear power plants in operation today producing 20% of this nation’s electricity. I grew up outside of Detroit and had no idea that Fermi Nuclear Generating Station is 60 miles from my parent’s house! California has four nuclear power plants, two in San Louis Obispo at Diablo Canyon Power Plant and two near San Diego at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.
Nuclear must be a part of this nation’s energy portfolio for the future because it is a reliable source of base-load energy. By 2030, when you are in your 30s, the United States will need 25% more power than it needs today. We cannot supply that amount of energy without including more nuclear plants.
4. What are the risks of dealing with nuclear waste?
All forms of large-scale energy production have some amount of waste. The benefit of nuclear fuel is that it is solid before and after it is used. We can easily contain 100% of the nuclear fuel which we use to produce power. This waste is radioactive and must be handled with respect; however we know how to handle this used fuel in a safe way and have done so for over 40 years.
5. How much nuclear radiation can you withstand before side effects occur?
Radiation is measured in what is called “rem” and “millirem.” 100-200 rems will cause side effects; however, nuclear power plant workers receive tiny amounts of dose, if any, in the millirem range. 1000 millirem = 1 rem
I think your concern here is for any dose received at a nuclear power plant. The radiation levels are closely monitored and every worker wears a device called a dosimeter which measures the amount, in millirems, which every worker receives. This amount is very small compared to what we receive on a daily basis from nature. The largest radiation source, radon, is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the Earth’s crust. Other natural contributors of radiation are cosmic rays from the sun and radioactive materials in the rocks and soil.
One thing to remember is that radiation is used every day in hospitals, doctor and dental offices across America. Radiation is used in X-Ray machines and to treat cancer. It is also used to sterilize products which we use daily and eliminates bacteria in the food we eat in a process called irradiation. Radiation is used in nearly all fields of modern science.
6. What are the costs?
Nuclear is a low cost energy producer. Nuclear costs 1.76 cents/kWh, Coal 2.47 cents/kWh and gas 10.26 cents/kWh.
Looking at your next question, I don’t think you are asking about the monetary costs. All power production has some amount of risk, however nuclear has the least amount of risk. Nuclear has a proven safety record, in the United States and the Western world no one has died as a result of a nuclear accident.
7. What are the benefits?
There are many benefits of nuclear power. As I said before, nuclear energy can provide base-load energy, this means it provides a constant amount of power to heat your home, provide lights and power your cell phone. The average power plant supplies enough energy for 630,000 people each year, or a city the size of Seattle!
Another benefit for nuclear power is that it provides jobs to Americans. One power plant will supply 400-700 permanent, high paying jobs to those in the local area.
One large benefit of nuclear power is that it produces electricity with out releasing carbon emissions into the environment. Nuclear generated electricity avoids almost 700 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year in the United States. This is nearly as much carbon dioxide as is released from all passenger cars in the U.S.!
8. Do you think nuclear energy a good answer for the future and why?
Nuclear energy is a good answer for the electricity needs of America because it can supply the nation with large amounts of reliable energy. Nuclear power plants do not produce green house gasses and the amount of carbon dioxide emissions they prevent is larger than all other electricity sources combined. America’s energy portfolio must be diversified and nuclear must be a part of this mix.
Thank you for your interest in nuclear power. Please take the time to do research and look at the facts. There are many links and videos on this website which can help you out. Remember to learn for yourself!
