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Nuclear Power
This page was last updated on 04/10/2007

 

 

 

 


Calls for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions spark new debates on the pros and cons of nuclear power.

ARGUMENTS

Pros (favored by Sens. John McCain, Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, Pres. George W. Bush)

  • Could help stem the emission of greenhouse gases and curb global warming.

  • Reduces emissions from the electricity sector

  • Nuclear power is a crucial way to meet growing demand for electricity.

Cons: (Al Gore)

  • Nuclear power plants would be vulnerable to terrorist attacks (no need to create more potential targets)

  • Radioactive waste still has no permanent burial site.

  • Nuclear energy is expensive (Al Gore's argument)

  • Take too long to build.

  • Risk of accidents (see Three Mile Island accident)

  • Climate-friendly, genuinely renewable technologies like wind and solar and geothermal would be cheaper and safer to build. Alternatives.

  • Carbon emissions from nuclear fuel processing are significant.

THREE MILE ISLAND (1979)

On March 28, 1979, two nuclear power plant reactors on Three Mile Island off the coast of Pennsylvania suffered a partial core meltdown sending deadly radiation into the atmosphere.

The accident didn't cause any deaths or immediate injuries (debates abound on the long-term effects of the meltdown) but spooked Americans. Before the accident, 70% of the general public approved nuclear power. After the accident the approval rating dropped to 50%. 

Many nuclear power plants that were scheduled to be built were cancelled after the accident. 

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS IN THE U.S.

Currently 103 nuclear plants generate about 20% of the nation's electricity.

CLIMATE STEWARDSHIP AND INNOVATION ACT OF 2005

The Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act was introduced by Senators John McCain and Joseph Lieberman in 2005 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Limits were set for the amount of allowable emissions of greenhouse gases from various sources and entities in violation of the limits would be fined.

The bill also considered plans to fund the construction of three nuclear reactors.

 

 

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