Answers to Everyday Questions : How are some nuclear benefits and nuclear disasters that Nuclear reactors have?

How are some nuclear benefits and nuclear disasters that Nuclear reactors have?

One Response to “How are some nuclear benefits and nuclear disasters that Nuclear reactors have?”

1. Nukemann said :
   July 21st, 2010 at 11:38 am

   Existing nuclear power plants have provided needed electrical power, avoiding the generation of tons of fossil fuel wastes. Chernobyl is the only disaster I can think of and it was an unsafe design operated in an unsafe manor.
   Here is my list of Nuclear Power Pros and Cons:
   PROS
   !. Fission is the most energy for the least fuel with current technology.
   2. Less fuel means less waste, and the waste is all accounted for, not released into the atmosphere to become someone else’s problem.
   3. Uranium is readily available, very common in the earth’s crust (about the same as tin)
   4. Economical – operating cost about the same as coal, fuel cost is a much smaller percentage of the total, therefore less susceptible to price fluctuations.
   5. Reliable – Nuclear power plants have very high capacity factors.
   6. No combustion, no Co, CO2 or SO2 released.
   7. Creates high paying, skilled jobs.
   8. Reduce dependence on foreign oil/ fuel. Uranium available domestically and in oceans.
   9. High temperature reactors could produce Hydrogen as well as electricity.
   10. Fantastic safety record.

   CONS
   1. Irrational fear of all things nuclear.
   2. High cost to build and license, large initial investment for long term pay back.
   3. Publicly accepted high level storage facility not domestically available.
   4. Reprocessing facility not domestically available.
   4. High cost of personnel.
   5. Security concerns,
   Nuclear power, I believe is the best, safest, most reliable, current technology to provide energy. The plants operating now are safe and the new designs are even safer.
   Building 100’s of new nuclear power plants would improve the economy, reduce or eliminate dependence on foreign oil, create jobs, reduce pollution, and provide for future technological advancement.
   I have been working with nuclear power for about 30 years, I would be glad to have a Nuclear power plant or high level waste disposal facility in my backyard. My family and I live in a home within 10 miles of a nuclear power plant. (where I work) I have a great understanding of the risks involved and am completely comfortable with a plant “in my backyard”.
   Using Chernobyl as a reason not to build is like saying because of the Hindenburg I will never fly in a commercial airliner.
   Nuclear power has the smallest environmental impact of any current energy production method per unit of energy produced. One fuel pellet about the size of a pencil eraser produces the same energy as about 1 ton of coal, and if reprocessed 2/3 of what’s left can be reclaimed. Nuclear power is our best option for reliable, environmentally friendly, base-load electrical power.