That means that safety is the highest priority and that every decision, step and precaution is grounded in that approach. 1. A nuclear reactor can explode like a nuclear bomb. Report this Argument. Your contribution is fully tax-deductible in the USA. Nuclear energy is not only safe; the industry prides itself on maintaining the highest standards of safety. Once mined, the ore is purified, enhanced to increase the quantity of U-235 and finally packaged in small ceramic pellets. Because weâre afraid there might be a bad accident⦠or something.Â, Does that make sense to you? I share the insight I’ve gained as well as a quote from Bill Gates: “Nuclear energy, in terms of an overall safety record, is better than other energy.”. Those fears may be moot. Deaths directly related to nuclear power? It would never have occurred in the West. Related: âCan We Rely on Wind and Solar Energy?â â Alex Epstein. The Clean and Safe Energy Coalition has been established in 2006. Meltdowns like the ones in Fukushima or Chernobyl released enormous amounts of radiation into the surrounding communities, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate. Because nuclear energy has been around for decades and is clean, safe and reliable, we hear very little about it. These rods are then bundled together to make up a fuel assembly. It would take dozens of wind and solar farms, covering thousands of acres of land, to match the energy a single nuclear power plant could produce. France gets 70% of its power from one carbon-free source. Ninety-nine operational reactors, the largest fleet in the world, help avoid the emission of 320 million to 578 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. more than 2,000 hours of baseline inspections each year. Nuclear is carbon-free. He was right then and heâs right now. That means that safety is the highest priority and that every decision, step and precaution is grounded in that approach. And we wonât take it. There are several ways to produce electricity without releasing air pollution. But that didnât grab the headlines.Â, The accident developed into a catastrophe only because of pitiful safety procedures unique to the Soviet Union. Because it doesnât to me. Â, But maybe Iâm not giving enough weight to the safety argument, so letâs take a closer look at that since no one, not even the most radical environmentalist, disputes that nuclear power produces massive amounts of energy cleanly and efficiently.Â, Safety, like everything else, is a matter of context. Some context: 1.35 million people die worldwide every year in traffic accidents. The U-235 pellets are stacked in 12-foot zirconium alloy tubes, that are resistant to corrosion, radiation and heat, to form fuel rods. 1.4 million people die worldwide every year in traffic accidents, 2.3 million in work-related accidents, 4.2 million from air pollution. Rather than solar, wind, coal, oil, or natural gas, however, France most heavily relies on nuclear power, getting around 70% of its power from one carbon-free source. If you ever visit a nuclear plant, you will immediately see the industry’s commitment to safety. According to the World Health Organization, âAs of mid-2005 [19 years after the explosion], fewer than 50 deaths had been directly attributed to radiation from the disaster.â. Nuclear energy is not only cleaner than all other forms of energy. Related video: âDo We Have to Destroy the Earth to Save It?â â Michael Shellenberger. The Clean and Safe Energy Coalition Providing natural power. The waste generated by nuclear reactors remains radioactive for tens to hundreds of thousands of years (1). It would take dozens of wind and solar farms, covering thousands of acres of land, to match the energy a single nuclear power plant could produce. It is the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the United States and protects our air quality by generating electricity without other harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter or mercury. Defense-in-depth essentially means there are a lot of things keeping nuclear plants and neighboring communities safe. As someone relatively new to working in the nuclear industry, the number one question I get when I tell friends and family about my job is: If your only point of reference for nuclear energy is HBO’s Chernobyl miniseries or even the 2011 accident at Fukushima in Japan, it’s not hard to understand why this question persists. Nuclear energy is safe, clean, and sustainable as long as the appropriate technology is applied. Study after study in top scientific journals find that nuclear power plants are far and away the safest way to make reliable electricity. But the nuclear industry goes a step further to ensure that plants don’t just meet the standards created by the federal government—they exceed them. That source of energy, by the way, is not solar or wind. Nuclear energy presents a safe, clean, and inexpensive alternative to other methods of producing electricity. If you truly want to save the planet from global warming, thereâs one energy source that can do it. Many of them may never come back. '', The infamous Chernobyl accident developed into a catastrophe only because of grossly inadequate safety procedures unique to the Soviet Union. The Sierra, Club, one of the anti-nuclear groups that now litigates against nuclear energy, was once a great proponent of it. In sum, as a result of Chernobyl, today’s nuclear energy is safer than ever before—and produces some of the cleanest and cheapest energy available. For those who wish to create a world free of carbon emissions, France is clearly the role model.Â. Nearly 55% of our carbon-free energy. In fact, the U.S. industry continues to be recognized as one of the safest industrial working environments in the nation. If we don’t see something with our eyes, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Sweden gets around 40% of its energy from nuclear power plants. Surely thatâs terribly harmful.Â, Actually, no. The Three Mile Island plant accident resulted in a leak of about the same amount of radiation one might receive taking a chest x-ray. It’s nuclear. Well, we all know the answer, right? Nuclear power is a reliable, clean and predictable electricity producer that today is ready to fit the economic, environmental and national security needs of Latin American countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. So what is it? It would never have occurred in the West. The World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) does similar work on an international level. Switzerland gets 36% of its energy from nuclear. Prager University is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Tax ID: 27-1763901. But the anti-nuclear movement with the help of their media allies have spent a tremendous amount of time and money obscuring the facts. In addition, every plant keeps and updates emergency response plans that are approved by both the NRC and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Investing in Clean, Safe Nuclear Energy Description: President Obama announces more than $8 billion in loan guarantees for two new nuclear reactors as part of the Administration's commitment to providing clean energy and creating new jobs. Michael Shellenberger, founder of Environmental Progress, has the answer in this important video. Yes, safe. The industry formed an independent third party called the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations (INPO) to set best practices for and conduct regular evaluations of plants’ performance in safety and operations. But once you look beyond the incidents that have dominated headlines, a more accurate picture of the industry emerges. If you want to save the planet, then you want to go nuclear. Didnât they poison untold thousands? Contrary to claims by opponents of nuclear energy that it is “unsafe,” “unclean,” and thus “unacceptable,” nuclear energy is the safest, cleanest, and among the most practical forms of power generation today. âWe goofed,â the commission told Congress. âThere was no danger of any hydrogen explosion.'' Vital to our clean energy future. All the more reason to adopt President Kennedy’s definition of conservation. Around 2.3 million people die every year in work-related accidents. At one time, in its background paper, “Nuclear Energy: No Solution to Climate Change,” Greenpeace was predicting the demise of nuclear energy. One giant, unanswered problem of nuclear power is what to do with nuclear waste. Nuclear Power Is Not Clean or Green! Nuclear power is the backbone of our 24/7 energy supply. But they differ enormously in size: as we will see, in all three aspects, fossil fuels are the dirtiest and most dangerous, while nuclear and modern renewable energy sources are vastly safer and cleaner. The anti-nuclear movement, aided by its allies in the media, has spent a tremendous amount of time and money obscuring the facts about nuclear energy. âThere was no danger of any hydrogen explosion. The most feasible method at this time is nuclear energy. The United States 20%. The United States is the only country to have resident inspectors. Powering communities. Nuclear waste can either be reprocessed or disposed of safely, provided certain precautions are taken. Theyâre more interested in filing lawsuits against this particular form of clean energy than telling the truth about it. Some of these barriers include the rods that encase the reactor’s uranium fuel, massive steel vessels and piping that contain the fuel rods and cooling system and a highly robust building that houses the reactor, which is made with steel-reinforced concrete that is several feet thick. Nuclear energy is both expensive and dangerous. A single nuclear reactor uses about 13 acres of … “The nuclear industry is in near-terminal decline world-wide, following its failure to establish itself as a clean, cheap, safe or reliable energy source. It’s also cheaper to create, abundant, and safe. âWe goofed,â the commission told Congress. Three Mile Island in 1979, Chernobyl in 1986 and Fukushima in 2011 resulted in far fewer deaths than popular perception suggests. Nuclear power plants don’t burn anything. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission acknowledged as much four weeks after the initial media hysteria died down. Sweden 40%. This ore is largely made up of the non-radioactive isotope U-238, however it also contains small quantities of radioactive isotope U-235. No contemporary energy source is as environmentally irresponsible, imposes such a high liability on taxpayers, or is as dangerous as nuclear power. About 4.2 million people die every year from air pollution. Nuclear power plants produce no controlled air pollutants, such as sulfur and particulates or greenhouse gases. Prager University is not an accredited academic institution and does not offer certifications or diplomas. And just because nuclear pollution is invisible doesn’t mean it’s clean. Nuclear’s role in a clean energy future. Nuclear energy is not only cleaner than all other forms of energy. Related reading: âApocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us Allâ â Michael Shellenberger. The deaths that occurred in the area were the result of the tsunami.Â, Well, what about nuclear waste? It is incredibly cheap once it’s operating, clean, and produces the amount of power we need. For those who wish to create a world free of carbon emissions, France is the role model. If the world is going to end in a few years because of global warming due to rising CO2 levels, we should be going all out to produce this abundant, clean, and safe form of energy: nuclear energy. These resident inspectors live near the plant with their families and work on-site with unfettered access to the plant 24/7. Renewable energy is better for the environment, the economy, and doesn’t come with the risk of a nuclear meltdown. According to the World Health Organization, âAs of mid-2005ââthatâs 19 years after the explosionââfewer than 50 deaths had been directly attributed to radiation from the disaster.âÂ, In 2011, as a result of an earthquake and tsunami, the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant was destroyed, and nuclear radiation was released. Layer upon layer of redundant and diverse safety systems are part of an approach to safety called “defense-in-dept… Uranium ore is mined from the surface of the Earth. Thereâs a way to save humanity. Thank you for hosting this debate pro, I hope hope you are prepared to defend your assertion fully. The U.S. nuclear industry prides itself on having safety in its DNA. Con. Greenpeace representatives are sure that there’s no place for nuclear energy and nuclear pollution in this word. Switzerland 36%. Unfortunately, opponents of this wonderful source of power are succeeding in their efforts to deceive people about it; … While most people associate nuclear energy with disasters, it is extremely beneficial in the long run if used responsibly. The U.S. nuclear industry prides itself on having safety in its DNA. In fact, the U.S. industry continues to be recognized as one of the safest industrial working environments in the nation. So, even though weâre told weâre facing an âexistential crisisâ, which means humans may cease to existâeven though we might all wither away in unbearable heat; or starve because of world-wide droughts; or drown in rising seas; or be killed in Mad Max-style riotsânuclear energy is off the table, because⦠itâs too darn risky.Â, I want to be sure I have this right. The United States gets just 20% of its energy from nuclear plants. The legendary early leader of the club, Will Siri, saw it as the best chance to preserve wildlife. Nuclear is still Clean, Reliable, and Safe Energy | City Journal A t the heart of the sprawling Indian Point Energy Center, 30 miles up the Hudson River from Manhattan, stands a modest, oblate structure easy to overlook at first glance. Yet, despite the media hysteria, not one person at the nuclear plant died because of radiation leaks. .css-16d0jq2{display:block;font-size:15px;margin-bottom:8px;font-weight:normal;}Donât fill this out: .css-vts1zg{border-radius:6px;font-size:14px;padding:14px 16px;-webkit-appearance:none;-moz-appearance:none;appearance:none;border:0;color:#004766;background-color:#f0f3f5;width:100%;cursor:text;}.css-vts1zg:focus{outline:0;}.css-vts1zg::-webkit-input-placeholder{color:#3B7189;}.css-vts1zg::-moz-placeholder{color:#3B7189;}.css-vts1zg:-ms-input-placeholder{color:#3B7189;}.css-vts1zg::placeholder{color:#3B7189;}, To make a donation over the phone, call (833) PragerU. All the nuclear waste ever generated in the U.S. can fit on a single football field stacked less than 70 feet high. Nuclear energy protects air quality. Currently, the nuclear industry stores the waste in massive concrete structures. U.S. nuclear plants consistently receive high marks from WANO and INPO and safety levels continue to increase. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission acknowledged as much four weeks after the initial media hysteria died down. Iâm Michael Shellenberger, founder and president of Environmental Progress and the author of Apocalypse Never, for Prager University. Just like defense-in-depth at the plant, there are additional layers of oversight. From both an environmental and clean energy point of view, nuclear power is superior to renewables. Summary. Itâs not coal, oil, or natural gas, either. Nuclear Energy Pros. Nuclear power is the largest source of zero-emission power in the United States. Nuclear Energy: The Safe, Clean, Cost-Effective Alternative. INPO’s mission is to promote the highest levels of safety and reliability—to promote excellence—in the operation of the plants. All energy sources have negative effects. Itâs easily and safely buried in steel canisters encased in concrete.Â. If the industry’s current track record is any indication, we can expect a major meltdown about once per decade.The possibility of a catastrophic accident at a U.S. nuclear plant can not be dismissed.There is still no safe… A diverse fuel supply provides resiliency and price stability. If you ever visit a nuclear plant, you will immediately see the industry’s commitment to safety. I’m on the same page as Robert Mudry, but on a different paragraph. The U.S. nuclear industry is licensed and regulated by the NRC, an independent federal agency that evaluates nuclear plant performance in three areas: reactor safety, radiation safety and security. The goal is to save humanity. The total deaths directly related to nuclear power plants is extremely low. Here at the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition, we strive to provide power – clean and natural. The fue… The use of nuclear energy in place of other energy sources helps keep the air clean and prevents acid rain. McGuire Nuclear Station located in Mecklenburg County, North … Under 200ânot annually but in the entire history of the nuclear power industry.Â, But what about those famous nuclear disasters weâve all heard so much about? Truth: It is impossible for a reactor to explode … Nuclear energy is an emission-free energy source. So, hereâs some context. Nuclear power is also clean in the sense that it produces a lot of energy for its small physical footprint. Industry efforts to “greenwash” nuclear energy make a mockery of clean energy goals. Itâs not coal, oil, or natural gas, either. Nuclear power may be clean, but people still question whether it is, or ever will be, safe enough. So, what’s my answer to that number one question I get? Because of the nuclear industry’s approach to having backups to backups to respond to a wide breadth of challenging events and environmental conditions, there’s also additional portable equipment on-site, and backup equipment that can be quickly transported to any plant, if needed. Nuclear energy still has that potential to improve our environment and make the world better with clean energy. All this information is easily available. From both an environmental and clean energy point of view, thereâs no contest. A plant employeeâs family was awarded a settlement after the worker developed cancer, but it is highly unlikely the cancer was caused by the accident. Its main role is to inform and educate Americans on the role of nuclear energy. Video view counts represent the accumulative views from both YouTube and Facebook. There are many pros and cons of nuclear energy, and it’s important to understand both sides to get an idea of what this energy resource is capable of. Safety is further ensured through highly capable and well-trained operators, licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), as well as detailed written procedures. The energy that we get from the nuclear process can be used reliably to power our world and improve the lives of everyone in it without forcing someone else to deal with our emissions. âCheap [nuclear] power in unlimited quantities is one of the chief factors in allowing a large rapidly growing population to preserve wildlands, open space, and land of high scenic value,â former Sierra Club leader Will Siri told the club in 1966. Multiple, overlapping safety systems, a commitment to safety culture and training, an independent regulator and peer review organizations like INPO are part of the many elements that ensure that nuclear plants are running safely and smartly. Three Mile Island in 1979, Chernobyl in 1986, and Fukushima in 2011.Â, There was an accident at the plant, yes, but the amount of radiation that leaked was no more than one might receive taking a chest x-ray. It’s our only carbon-free energy source that operates around the clock for 18 to 24 months at a time. âCheap [nuclear] power in unlimited quantities is one of the chief factors in allowing a large rapidly growing population to preserve wildlands, open space, and land of high scenic value,â he told the club in 1966. These facilities are running out of storage space, so the nuclear industry is turning to other types of storage that are more costly and potentially less safe (2). The deaths that occurred in the area were the result of the tsunami. We produce about 2,200 tons (2,000 metric tons) yearly, with nowhere safe to put it. Congress Continues Historic-Level Funding of Nuclear Carbon-Free Energy, President-elect Biden Nominates Granholm as Energy Secretary, Nuclear Energy in a Low-Carbon Energy Future, Nuclear Energy: Essential Clean Energy for a Low-Carbon Economy, even the 2011 accident at Fukushima in Japan, equipment that can be quickly transported to any plant, if needed. Even so, initial reports of radiation leakage turned out to be grossly exaggerated. Nuclear energy has no place in a safe, clean, sustainable future. We are told that we do not turn to nuclear energy more because of safety concerns; however, safety, like everything else, is a matter of context. Considering the evidence listed above, it is clear that nuclear energy, when handled properly, is extremely safe and good for the environment. Facts: Nuclear energy is one of the cleanest sources of energy in the United States, emitting no greenhouse gases when generating electricity. The NRC enforces a vast array of regulations and assigns at least two NRC resident inspectors to every U.S. nuclear energy plant, where they each conduct more than 2,000 hours of baseline inspections each year. Those endless lawsuits have helped make it prohibitively expensive to build new plants or even to keep older ones running. Ironically, one of the anti-nuclear groups that now litigates against nuclear energy, the Sierra Club, was once a great proponent. Knowing the pros and cons of nuclear energy will help you decide for yourself whether this energy resource is a good decision for our future energy needs and for the planet. Why then are we so afraid of them? No one from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant died because of radiation leaks in 2011. Even so, initial reports of radiation leakage turned out to be grossly exaggerated. Lawsuits filed by anti-nuclear activists have helped make it prohibitively expensive in the U.S. to build new plants or even to keep older ones running. All the nuclear waste ever generated in the US can fit on a single football field stacked less than seventy feet high. Itâs also cheaper to create, abundant, and safe.Â, So, if the world is going to end in a few years because of global warming due to rising CO2 levels, why arenât we going all out to produce this abundant, clean, and safe form of energy? formed through the process of either nuclear fusion or nuclear fission If you want to save the planet and you donât want to go nuclear, then youâre just full of hot air. Nuclear energy has a lot of myths and it makes people wonder if it’s really safe or not for nature and all living beings. Our coalition was established in 2006 and is funded by the industry. periodically flushed into the ocean to dilute it to safe levels, easily and safely buried in steel containers encased in concrete, processed and converted to non-harmful substances. Currently, there are no long-term storage solutions for radioactive waste, and most is stored in temporary, above-ground facilities. Layer upon layer of redundant and diverse safety systems are part of an approach to safety called “defense-in-depth.” This means there are multiple, overlapping levels of safety designed to prevent accidental radiation release. Nuclear energy is just too risky⦠too dangerous. So, if the world is going to end in a few years because of global warming due to rising CO2 levels, why aren’t we going all out to … To call Nuclear power as it exists today,safe is to ignore all real world implications of its product and Bi-product. We are mosly specialized in nuclear energy, but not only. Available 24/7. But it is a place where you are free to learn. Nuclear energy is safe, clean and efficient. Controlling carbon in the atmosphere will require a mix of energy technologies—potentially including nuclear reactors, which emit no carbon but are seen as risky because of a … Why arenât there dozens of nuclear power plants in development all over the world?Â. Itâs not wind or solar.
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