How many people are really afraid of nuclear power given that more people die every year...?

Question

from lung disease shown to be caused by coal burning plants upwind of where they live? And the number of people actually killed by radiation since 1947 is less than the number of coal miners killed in any single decade? Have you really done ony NON-biased research into it's pros and cons?

Answer 1

To answer brainiac's question - The average electricity production cost in the US in 2004 for nuclear energy was 1.68 cents per kilowatt-hour, for coal-fired plants 1.90 cents, for oil 5.39 cents, and for gas 5.87 cents (US dollars).

And here's some more facts:

- a coal fired power plant produces more radiation than a nuclear power plant, for the same size of plant. That's becuase most coal contains a lot of uranium (50-100 ppm) and that all goes up the chmney in an uncontrolled mess. And don't let the coal industry fool you with their propoganda about "clean coal" there is no escaping that coal produces huge amounts of CO2 during the combustion process.

- Nuclear energy is by far the world's largest source of emission-free energy. Nuclear power plants produce no air pollutants or greenhouse gases.

- The energy in one uranium fuel pellet—the size of the tip of your little finger—is the equivalent of 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas, 1,780 pounds of coal, or 149 gallons of oil.

- Nuclear energy produces about 0.00001% of the waste as an equivalent sized coal fired plant, with less total radiation. 100% of the waste from a nuclear power plant is controlled and contained.

- A passenger on a jet plane flying from LA to New York in 5 hours will be exposed to more radiation than a worker in a uranium mine or nuclear power plant in one month.

So why are people afraid of nuclear energy - the media has done a terrible job of reporting the facts, and the majority of people don't know the real facts.

Nuclear energy is the only rational solution to our energy demand that will not contribute to global warming.

EDIT - a comment for galactonerd and anybody else worried about radioactive waste.

In one year, a 1,000 MW nuclear plant produces about 27 tonnes of spent fuel. 24 of those tonnes are recycled into new fuel, and that leaves 3 tonnes of true radioactive waste. With the high SG of nuclear waste, those 3 tonnes comprise a block barely 40 cm (16") per side - about the size of an average suitcase. That seems quite manageable to me.

In the same amount of time, a 1,000 MW coal fired plant produces 7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, 100,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide, 75,000 tonnes of nitrous oxide, 5,000 tonnes of radioactive fly ash, and 150,000 to 200,000 tonnes of radioactive solid waste. Now here's the real kicker - coal naturally contains uranium, and the waste from a coal fired plant produces more total radioactivity than the 40x40x40 cm block from the nuclear plant. Not only that, the radioactive coal waste is spread all over the earth.

So the question on radioactive waste should really apply to the coal fired plant and not the nuclear plant.

Answer 2

I agree coal power plants are terrrible for health and the environment. Nuclear power is constantly becoming more efficent and less dangrouse. I think most people are afraid because of what happened in russia with chernobal. But that was a porly run facilaty and not nearly up to the standards we use in america. Then people get afraid from the 3 mile island incident but that was brought under controll before anyone was hurt. I am all for nuclear power.

Answer 3

because if they blow up it is really bad.
they are a target for terrorists
the price to build and operate and then decomission them is very high. they only last an amazingly short time. and then they are radioactive longer than humans will be around!

the germans developed a nuclear power plant with the material encased in ceramic balls and uses no water which is much safer

what is the cost per kwh to produce power this way as opposed to other ways?

I do like nuclear power...it is called solar and is safe

Answer 4

Nuclear power is the only clean sources of energy.
Coal burning is destroying the earth.
Look at who is against Nuclear power and you know who is making money off of it (serria club comes in mind).

Answer 5

I'm not afraid of nuclear power. I think it is a clean, efficient way to generate power. I just think that extra safety measures need to be taken when dealing with that type of power. I'm all for building more plants. Hey, it would really help out in California.

Answer 6

Most people are very afraid of nuclear power. Far more so that is justified. They think of every reactor as a future Chernobyl.

Answer 7

It's because of all the movies, they show nuclear reactors exploding and millions dying thats the only reason.

Answer 8

Nuclear power is definitely better, but how will we dispose of nuclear waste?

Answer 9

Only the uninformed are "fraidy" cats.

Answer 10

We have no choice anymore.