The Pros And Cons Of Nuclear Power

When nuclear energy is brought the forefront, some people may think that the negativities of nuclear energy may outweigh the benefits of it. On the contrary, other people may have an opposite opinion. With that said the purpose of this question is to answer whether or not if the risks to the environment, security, and proliferation offer any type of warrant to reduce nuclear energy or perhaps eliminate nuclear energy as a whole in the United States. To answer the question simply, I do not think that the risks associated with the use of nuclear power is enough to warrant any type of reduction or shutdown of nuclear power in the United States. In order to back the answer up, the paper will examine and evaluate all of the associated risks of nuclear …show more content…
While the concern for environmental risk by nuclear power is acceptable, it is still the better option amongst other forms of power. The first reason nuclear power is the best option for power is because it does not emit greenhouse gases (Ferguson 93). They do not emit greenhouse gases because nuclear power plants do not combust fuels that release greenhouse gases as by-products (Ferguson 94). Instead of emitting greenhouse gases, the products of the fission reaction are radioactive fission products that stay in the fuel assembly for nearly forever. Another reason nuclear power is the better option is due to its usage of electricity. Nuclear power facilities use only about fifteen percent of the world’s electricity while coal power plants use about forty-one percent of the world’s electricity (Ferguson 95). Ferguson points out if coal power plants would be substituted as an alternate power source, then there would be an substantial increase in the amount of carbon dioxide released into the …show more content…
The first benefit has to do with nuclear energy being the best source as far as cleanliness goes. As mentioned before, nuclear energy gives up the least amount of emissions amongst other forms of energy such as coal and natural gas (Ferguson 95). The emissions from coal and natural gas power plants are far greater than the emissions of those from nuclear power plants. In-fact, it was mentioned in Ferguson’s book, that it was recommended that more nuclear power facilities should be constructed in the combat against the fight against emission. Another way nuclear power is beneficial is by the economics of it. While nuclear power facilities may seem like the most expensive option at the time, they are actually cost competitive with coal and natural gas plants once their capital is paid off (Ferguson70). Because of this, it makes them the best cost effective option in the long

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Pros And Cons Of Nuclear Power