Nuclear power is more than just an occasional plot device on The Simpsons. It's a source of energy that lights up our televisions and heats our microwaves. As we explore ways to harness alternative forms of energy, however, the future of nuclear power grows increasingly uncertain. Is nuclear power our best energy alternative, or is it time to pursue other options?
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It Really Depends...
Taking Advantage Of Local Resources
I have in my a hand a model of a Uranium Fuel pellet. It is about the size of the tip of my pinkie finger down to the first knuckle. 3 quarters of an inch long and half an inch in diameter. The accompanying literature says it's the energy equivalent of 1800 lb. of coal . (almost a ton)
So imagine the comparative difficulty of shipping Fuel pellets to wherever they're needed as opposed to shipping a tons of coal.
This completely negates the argument of having to use local resources because they're local. It would cost around the same to ship Fuel pellets across country to West Virginia as it would to ship coal from a West Virginia coal mine to a West Virginia coal fired generator.
Then keep in mind that while coal maybe a local resource the pollution it produces goes world wide. CO2, Soot, Sulphur Dioxides, Heavy Metals and even radioactive isotopes are released into the environment from coal.
France with their 80% nuclear power is a good example of what Nuclear can do. The cleanest air in Europe and excess power to sell to other countries.
- BCReason
May 6, 2009 7:39AM
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Side: Yes
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