Nuclear energy is energy in the nucleus of an atom. Atoms are tiny particles that make up every object in the universe (Nuclear Energy). Nuclear energy can be released from atoms in two ways: nuclear fusion and nuclear fission. Nuclear fusion is how the sun produces energy, and nuclear fission is how power plants produce electricity. Nuclear plants are clean and efficient to operate. However, nuclear plants have some major environmental risks.
The principal risks associated with nuclear power come from health effects of radiation. Radiation consists of subatomic particles that travel at the velocity of light 186,000 miles per second (Nuclear Energy Risks). Radiation can penetrate deep inside the human body where they can damage biological cells and initiate cancer (Nuclear Energy Risks). Nuclear power technology produces materials that are active in emitting radiation and are therefore called "radioactive" (Nuclear Energy Risks). This material can come in contact with people through small releases during routine plant operation, accidents in nuclear plants, transporting radioactive material, and escape of radioactive wastes from confinement systems (Nuclear Power Risks). Another one of the biggest disadvantages of nuclear energy is the occurrence of accidents due to core meltdown. These accidents happen when the core overheats and radiation products are allowed to escape the building. This contaminates the surrounding area with radioactive material that is very harmful people's health, often causing cancer (Disadvantages of nuclear energy).
Radioactive waste is a radioactive material that is generally produced by the nuclear power industry and is harmful to humans and the environment. High level waste comes from the fuel used in a nuclear reactor and is highly radioactive. The waste must be kept isolated for a certain period of time until it is no longer hazardous. Nuclear proliferation is the expansion of nuclear technologies and weapons. The expansion of nuclear technology represents several related negative risks. On one level nuclear technology usage means additional radioactive waste that must be managed. On the security level, the plutonium by product of some nuclear reactors can be used in manufacture of bombs (Nuclear Energy).
Nuclear power gain is that nearly 20% of the United States electricity is provided by nuclear reactors. One of the major benefits of using nuclear energy as opposed to other energy source are that nuclear power emit low CO2 or other pollutants into the air. Another gain in using nuclear energy is its efficiency over coal and fossil fuels. The process of fission creates energy in excess of 10 million times that of fossil fuels, which provided more power and limits the number of plants that need to be built, and helps offset the obstacles to building new plants (Nuclear Energy Advantages).
Factors that need to be considered when building a nuclear plant are cost, location, public health and safety. The construction cost for new nuclear power plants are uncertain and have increased significantly in recent years. Some people also argue that the cost of nuclear power production is extremely high. Building a nuclear plant is an enormously expensive task. Companies that are planning to build new nuclear plants are indicating the total costs will be in the range of $5,500/kW to $8,100kW or between $6 billion and $9 billion for each 1,100 MW plant (Nuclear power Construction Cost).
The presence of nuclear power plants many affect the public health in many ways. Primarily, the release of radiation by nuclear power plants into the surrounding areas is known to have hazardous effects on public health. Nuclear power plants can also affect the health of the local environment and natural wildlife. If I had to decide where to put a nuclear plant, I would probably build it in an open space where there isn't any people living. I believe the dessert would be a good place to build a nuclear power plant. I would build the power plant in those areas because I wouldn't anyone to be affected by the reaction of the nuclear power plant.
If I read in the newspaper that a nuclear power plant was going to be built 125 miles from my house I would be devastated. I would want to know why they are building a nuclear power plant in a small town. I would make sure that I let the people know about the disadvantages of build nuclear plants. I probably would move, if they were to continue with the idea of building the plant. In the distance of 12.5 miles or 1.25 miles in the location of a nuclear plant my reactions would not change. I would not like the situation either way. There are many accidents that occur with nuclear power plants such as chemical leakage and explosions of the plant. I would not want me or my family to be affected by the chemicals in any way.
I don't have any experiences with nuclear power, but after my research I would inform the citizens that nuclear power plants have advantages and disadvantages. Some disadvantages that I would tell them about are that the radiations from these reactions are highly hazardous and coming into contact with them can have an impact on many generations to come. For instance, people who are exposed to these radiations may experience physical, mental and even genetic changes. These changes in their genes are even transmitted to their children in some cases, causing them to be born with a number of congenital defects and disorders. I would be concerned mainly for the children because it can cause defects.
Concerns over global warming and the spike in oil prices have renewed worldwide interest in nuclear energy and it renewed concerns over nuclear safety. As a growing commercial industry, nuclear power has been moribund in the United States since the 1970s (Nuclear Power). Nuclear energy brings a combination of strengths and weakness.
