8/9/2019 The Nuclear Energy Debate

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Thenuclear energy debate is one that will continue across the world forquite a while. Both sides of the argument have very valid points. Pronuclear keys in on the energy density of nuclear fuel and its reliability(lack of in intermittency). Anti nuclear proponents may key in on theenvironmental risks associated with nuclear energy the fossil fuels

needed to construct and run nuclear plants and ask why we neednuclear power at all when we can boost our reliance on renewables. !nthis discussion we are asked to pick a side ! am going with pro nuclearbut only in the short term. ! think that nuclear is the best option thatwe have at this time however ! am hoping that technologicalinnovations will allow renewables to become a more viable option.

The "rst myth ! would like to debunk is the negative environmentala#ects associated with the construction of nuclear power plants. The$PA %lean $nergy website lists environmental impacts for the mostcommon energy generation technologies there are the top two for

nuclear energy&

$nvironmental !mpactsAlthough power plants are regulated by federal and state laws toprotect human health and the environment there is a widevariation of environmental impacts associated with powergeneration technologies.The purpose of the following section is to give consumers abetter idea of the speci"c air water land and radioactive wastereleases associated with nuclear power electricity generation.Air $missions

'uclear power plants do not emit carbon dioide sulfur dioideor nitrogen oidesas part of the power generation process.owever fossil fuel emissions are associated with the uraniummining and uranium enrichment process as well as the transportof the uranium fuel to and from the nuclear plant.*ater +esource ,se'uclear power plants use large quantities of water for steamproduction and for cooling. -ome nuclear power plants removelarge quantities of water from a lake or river which could a#ect"sh and other aquatic life.

irst ! would like to talk about the fossil fuel emissions associated withthe transportation of nuclear fuel vs that of say a /01 ft wind turbine.The modern commercial wind turbine is a massive structure and isoften located in rural areas across the country. Transporting theseturbines is no small task and requires a convoy of vehicles. $ach bladerequires its only specially equipped heavy hauler as well as chasevehicles there are 2 blades to each turbine. The monumental move isbest described here by !nbound 3ogistics&

http://ofmpub.epa.gov/sor_internet/registry/termreg/searchandretrieve/glossariesandkeywordlists/search.do?details=&vocabName=Clean%20Energy%20Glossaryhttp://ofmpub.epa.gov/sor_internet/registry/termreg/searchandretrieve/glossariesandkeywordlists/search.do?details=&vocabName=Clean%20Energy%20Glossaryhttp://ofmpub.epa.gov/sor_internet/registry/termreg/searchandretrieve/glossariesandkeywordlists/search.do?details=&vocabName=Clean%20Energy%20Glossaryhttp://ofmpub.epa.gov/sor_internet/registry/termreg/searchandretrieve/glossariesandkeywordlists/search.do?details=&vocabName=Clean%20Energy%20Glossaryhttp://ofmpub.epa.gov/sor_internet/registry/termreg/searchandretrieve/glossariesandkeywordlists/search.do?details=&vocabName=Clean%20Energy%20Glossaryhttp://ofmpub.epa.gov/sor_internet/registry/termreg/searchandretrieve/glossariesandkeywordlists/search.do?details=&vocabName=Clean%20Energy%20Glossary

8/9/2019 The Nuclear Energy Debate

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4The trucking industry5s fragmented regulatory system furthercomplicated matters. %urrent rules allow individual states todetermine the routes oversi6ed trailers must take which oftenmeans longer trips.

-cheduling the required highway patrol escorts was also anissue. !f moved by truck each three7section tower8consisting ofbase middle and top pieces8would need an escort. Thenacelles and blades would require additional trailers and escorts.%oordinating drivers escorts permits and speciali6edequipment to move all the parts would be a monumental task.9

%onstructing a nuclear plant may mean quite a few truckloads ofmaterial will be needed however the construction of renewableresources is not eactly green either. 'ot to mention the energy

density of the power plants (wind vs nuclear). !t takes :ust one ;;0;2? megawatt hoursof electricity per year !t would take /1@@ /7megawatt wind generatorsto reach a similar output under P$A conditions

'ow this is :ust one reason why ! chose nuclear over renewables for thetime being. ! can go on with many more eamples of why nuclear is amuch more viable option for clean energy at this time however ! wasthinking about doing my research paper on this topic and ! would hateto use all my arguments right now.