| You hear the word “nuclear” and all sorts | | | | accidents can still happen. It is technically |
| of things come to mind––none of them | | | | impossible to build a plant with 100% security. A |
| good. Rogue nations enriching uranium to wipe out | | | | small probability of failure will always last. The |
| half the map…solid citizens carrying placards and | | | | consequences of an accident would be absolutely |
| chanting “No nukes!” as a radioactive | | | | devastating, both for human beings and for |
| generators threaten to be built in their | | | | nature. The more nuclear plants that are built, the |
| families’ backyards …presidential candidates | | | | higher the probability of a disastrous failure |
| trying extra hard not to mispronounce that tricky | | | | somewhere else in the world. |
| word as “nucular.” | | | | - Then there is terrorism. Nuclear power plants |
| | | | | make excellent targets for terrorist attacks. No |
| But when it comes to nuclear power as an | | | | atomic energy plant in the world could withstand |
| energy source, there are many things to | | | | an attack similar to 9/11. |
| recommend it. | | | | - Nuclear power makes more than electricity. |
| The Pro Argument | | | | During the operation of nuclear power stations, |
| - Nuclear power is efficient. It is possible to | | | | radioactive waste is produced, which in turn can |
| generate a high amount of electrical energy in one | | | | be used for the production of nuclear weapons. In |
| single plant. | | | | addition, the same know-how used to design |
| - No air pollution. Nuclear power emits relatively | | | | nuclear power plants can be used to build nuclear |
| low amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). The | | | | bombs. |
| emissions of green house gases are next to zilch. | | | | - Nuclear energy is not renewable. The energy |
| Furthermore, nuclear power plants contribute | | | | source for nuclear energy is Uranium. Uranium is a |
| almost nothing to global warming. | | | | scarce resource; its supply is estimated to last |
| - This technology is currently available, unlike the | | | | only for the next 30 to 60 years depending on |
| other great ideas that still need to be developed. | | | | the actual demand. |
| - The nuclear power industry creates high-paying, | | | | - Nuclear plants take time to build. When you |
| highly skilled domestic jobs that won’t be | | | | consider all the licensing, planning, lobbying and |
| “offshored.” | | | | building involved in a new nuclear power plant, it |
| | | | | can take as many as 20 years in a democratic |
| The Con Argument | | | | country like ours. In other words: It is an illusion to |
| However, the negatives of nuclear power are | | | | think we can build nuclear power plants quickly. |
| many. Consider: | | | | |
| - Two words: nuclear waste. The problem of | | | | The Bottom Line |
| disposing of radioactive waste is still an unsolved | | | | Nuclear energy has many advantages and the |
| one. The waste from nuclear energy is extremely | | | | latest technology is making nuclear power plants |
| dangerous and it has to be carefully looked after | | | | safer and safer. But, for many people, the risks |
| for several thousand years (10,000 years | | | | still outweigh the benefits. Nevertheless, the public |
| according to United States Environmental | | | | continues to send mixed signals. For example, a |
| Protection Agency standards). | | | | recent New York Times poll showed that 51% of |
| - Does the name Chernobyl ring a bell? On April | | | | Americans approved of building more nuclear |
| 26, 1986, a nuclear station in the former Soviet | | | | power stations. The flipside is that 55% |
| Union had a major melt down. The health | | | | disapproved of having a nuclear power plant in |
| consequences of this one incident are legendary. | | | | their community. Maybe we need a new bumper |
| High cancer rates, deformed children, etc. And | | | | sticker. “Yes, Nukes. Just Not Here. |
| despite a generally high security standard, | | | | |