Safety of Nuclear Energy

By Alex ClarkEnglish-250-RKSafety of Nuclear Power

Background on Nuclear PowerNuclear power has been around since 1951104 nuclear reactors currently in use by the United StatesNuclear power accounts for 19% of total electrical outputCurrently 594 coal plants producing 57% power for the US

Why Safety is so ImportantNuclear accidents are very costlyThree Mile IslandChernobylFukushima

Fukushima provided by BingAftermath of meltdown in Chernobyl- Provided by Bing

Nuclear Regulations and SafetyExtremely important to have strict regulations when dealing with something as powerful as nuclear reactorsVery regulated, supposed to withstand any natural disasterThe power plants are build like military bunkers, allowing them to take as much damage as anyone can throw at it, and not melt down/be damaged

Reasons for Nuclear EnergyFor only having 104 nuclear plants, it produces 20% of the USs power.The only deaths in Nuclear energy are when serious accidents occur.

FuelImmediate fatalities (1970-92)Who?Normalised to deaths per TWy electricityCoal6400Workers342Natural Gas1200Workers and Public85Hydro4000Public883Nuclear31Workers8

Nuclear WasteOnce the Uranium goes through the reactors, it becomes unusable for the next 100 yearsRadioactive, and must be stored somewhere underground as to not pollute surrounding areasCurrent methods of storage is encasing the radioactive waste in barrels surrounded by concrete and placed in a asdfasdf asdf underground facility

How to use Nuclear EnergyHeavier and more strict regulationsFast breed reactors to dispose of wasteCurrently underdeveloped, but with more research could be the solution to nuclear waste

Works CitedActon J.M & Hibbs M. Fukushima Accident 2011 World-Nuclear. Mar. 2012. Web. 28 Mar. 2013.Gardner, Chris. 10 Reasons Not to invest in Nuclear Energy. Center for American Progress. 8 July 2008. Web. 7 April 2013.Karman, Andrew P. How do Fast Breed Reactors Differ from Regular Nuclear Power Plants? Scientific America inc. 16 July, 2006. Web. 6 April 2013. Rifkin, Jeremy. Nuclear Energy: Still a Bad Idea. CommonDream.org. 29 September 2006. Web. 29 Mar. 2013.