Spring Break
Who's scared of nuclear power?
Scott Conover
Issue date: 1/16/09 Section: Forum
In the news, discussions in everyday life and the public eye, it seems as if nuclear power is scarcely mentioned as a possibility to power our nation. Nuclear power excels in its productive capacity for power, relative inexpensiveness in the long run, superiority to conventional power and fuel density. It seems a natural choice of power production for the world of today.
Yet, other than the negative press it receives, nuclear power is scarcely mentioned in intellectual circles. Why the bad press? Perhaps Chernobyl sits heavy in American memories, or perhaps there is a belief that civilian nuclear power has great radioactive potential to slay mankind, bringing an end to civilization as we know it. Perhaps carbon emissions are a concern. Regardless, nuclear power is one of the most effective, least dangerous and best options for plentiful power in a world that has limited resources and time.
One concern for a number of people today is the level of carbon emissions being produced in the world today. The primary cause of carbon emissions from power plants in the United States has been from coal power plants. According to the Associated Press, a study conducted in 2003 using U.S. Energy Department data indicated that coal power plants were the largest contributor when compared state to state. Nuclear power plants, by contrast, release far fewer carbon emissions.
One may ask, what other options exist? What about solar, wind, oil and natural gas? Those are nice thoughts, but in reality, conventional and green power sources are relatively inefficient and to some extent ineffectual on a large scale. Solar power still requires tax breaks and grants to remain economical; the fact is that the future of large-scale solar power is in space, not on Earth. Why implement solar power on a planet that filters heat and radiation and does not provide consistent radiation levels, when you can have it 24 hours in the vacuum of space? As for wind power, the numbers required to duplicate even a small number of coal power plants would be enormous. Given the potential instability of the Middle East and their limited nature, dependence on oil and natural gas is nothing short of politically moronic.
Yet, other than the negative press it receives, nuclear power is scarcely mentioned in intellectual circles. Why the bad press? Perhaps Chernobyl sits heavy in American memories, or perhaps there is a belief that civilian nuclear power has great radioactive potential to slay mankind, bringing an end to civilization as we know it. Perhaps carbon emissions are a concern. Regardless, nuclear power is one of the most effective, least dangerous and best options for plentiful power in a world that has limited resources and time.
One concern for a number of people today is the level of carbon emissions being produced in the world today. The primary cause of carbon emissions from power plants in the United States has been from coal power plants. According to the Associated Press, a study conducted in 2003 using U.S. Energy Department data indicated that coal power plants were the largest contributor when compared state to state. Nuclear power plants, by contrast, release far fewer carbon emissions.
One may ask, what other options exist? What about solar, wind, oil and natural gas? Those are nice thoughts, but in reality, conventional and green power sources are relatively inefficient and to some extent ineffectual on a large scale. Solar power still requires tax breaks and grants to remain economical; the fact is that the future of large-scale solar power is in space, not on Earth. Why implement solar power on a planet that filters heat and radiation and does not provide consistent radiation levels, when you can have it 24 hours in the vacuum of space? As for wind power, the numbers required to duplicate even a small number of coal power plants would be enormous. Given the potential instability of the Middle East and their limited nature, dependence on oil and natural gas is nothing short of politically moronic.
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