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Pros of Nuclear Science:


 * No American has ever died or been severely injured due to nuclear power plants.


 * A nuclear reactor is less polluting to the atmosphere than a coal-fired power plant. Nuclear reactors would slow he impact on slowing global warming, but the world needs to double its nuclear capacity in the net 20 years.


 * http://nuclearinfo.net/Nuclearpower/TheBenefitsOfNuclearPower


 * By having nuclear power, we cut our demand for foreign oil by nearly 300 million barrels a year.


 * France had concerns over importing oil, so they tripled their nuclear energy production. Because of this Frances' electrical air pollution dropped 80-90%.


 * A single kilogram of uranium can produce more energy than 200 barrels of oil.


 * Electricity from nuclear energy is considered to be economical and very cost effective, compared to wind, sun, and geothermal heat.


 * Nuclear power is one of the most advanced technology. Nuclear techniques create more accurate diagnosis and can cure many diseases.

http://www.virtualsciencefair.org/2003/chiuw3w/public_html/tech_pro.html

http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=163454

Ecology
Nuclear energy has one of the lowest impacts on the environment of any energy source because it does not emit air pollution, isolates its waste from the environment and requires a relatively small amount of land.

Before a reactor begins operating, an environmental impact statement examines all potential impacts to water quality and other ecological issues resulting from the plant’s operation. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s licensing process provides for the resolution of all issues that arise. If a company renews a reactor’s operating license, it must certify that no significant adverse impacts have resulted from the plant’s operation.

Fun Facts: http://www.nei.org/keyissues/protectingtheenvironment/factsheets/waterconsumptionatnuclearpowerplants

Preserving Surrounding Areas
A radiological environmental monitoring program begins even before the plant starts producing electricity to establish a baseline survey of background radiation in the local environment. This program establishes fixed monitoring stations around the plant to sample air, surface and ground water, milk from local dairies, and vegetation. Plant operators also send samples to state and federal regulators for independent verification.

Most nuclear power plants are along lakes, rivers or seacoasts because the facilities use water to cool the reactors. The water used to make steam in nuclear power plants remains in strictly enclosed, recirculating systems. Cooling water discharged from a plant must meet federal Clean Water Act requirements and state standards to protect water quality and aquatic life. The NRC also reviews plant operations to ensure no adverse impacts to water quality and aquatic ecology.

Facts: http://www.nei.org/keyissues/safetyandsecurity/factsheets/industrycloselymonitorscontrolstritium/

Safe Habitat for Wildlife
Seven years before the Calvert Cliffs nuclear plant began operating along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay, scientists began studying local marine life, including blue crabs, oysters and fish. With more than 30 years of data, scientists found that the Calvert Cliffs plant has no adverse effect on the local marine life and, in fact, has benefited some species.

In addition to preserving marine life, nuclear plant operators provide natural habitats for birds, mammals, plants and reptiles found on or near plant sites. Many have created special nature parks or wildlife sanctuaries to monitor and protect endangered and threatened species.

Credit: Nuclear Energy Institute

Clean Electricity for Transportation
Research is under way to reduce air emissions from the transportation sector by developing electric vehicles that can run farther and longer between charges. Clean electricity from nuclear plants can make these vehicles truly "clean." Several automakers have introduced new concept cars—plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that promise astounding fuel mileage: up to 150 miles per gallon or more.

For example, owners would be able to charge the battery-powered Chevrolet Volt by plugging it into a 110-volt outlet for approximately six hours a day. When fully charged, the car could travel more than 37 miles on the electric charge. The vehicle also would use a gas engine to create additional electricity to extend its range. The Ford Edge with HySeries Drive™ is a drivable fuel cell hybrid-electric plug-in vehicle. Combining an onboard hydrogen fuel cell generator with lithium-ion batteries, it can deliver more than 41 mpg with zero emissions. Nuclear energy can generate electricity to charge plug-in hybrids so there is no adverse impact in the air quality throughout the entire process.
 * [|General Motors Corp. Chevrolet Volt]


 * [|Ford Motor Company Edge]

Affordable Energy to Support Economic Growth
Nuclear power is the lowest-cost producer of baseload electricity. Average nuclear production costs have declined more than 30 percent in the past 10 years to 1.76 cents per kilowatt-hour. This includes the costs of operating and maintaining the plant, purchasing fuel, and paying for the management of used fuel.

It is projected that prices of nuclear-generated electricity will remain highly stable because uranium fuel accounts for only a small part of production costs. This makes nuclear generation less susceptible to swings in fuel costs, which account for 75 to 90 percent of production costs in other forms of electricity generation. The stable, low cost of nuclear power helps reduce the price of electricity paid by consumers.


 * Electricity Production Cost by Fuel Type (2007)**
 * Nuclear: 1.76 cents per kWh
 * Coal: 2.47 cents per kWh
 * Natural gas: 6.78 cents per kWh
 * Oil: 10.26 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)
 * [|Chart on production costs]
 * [|Costs: Fuel, Operation and Waste Disposal]