Pros of Nuclear Energy

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Ashli Hunter A Hr. 12/5/12 Pros of Nuclear Energy Nuclear power is once again considered a prominent alternative, despite the disregard it was met with in the 1970s. This is because it’s now being touted as a more environmentally beneficial solution since it emits far fewer greenhouse gases during electricity generation than coal or other traditional power plants. It is widely accepted as a somewhat dangerous, potentially problematic, but manageable source of generating electricity. Other advantages of nuclear energy include life-cycle emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide that are lower than all fossil fuel forms as well as solar photovoltaic and forestry waste biomass. Several key areas that nuclear energy are lower carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gases) released into the atmosphere in power generation, lower operating costs, known, developed technology “ready” for market, large power-generating capacity able to meet only local residential, or office need but cannot generate power for heavy manufacturing and existing and future waste can be reduced through recycling and reprocessing. Nuclear energy is most definitely the future pertaining to discontinuing the use of fossil fuels. Though fossil fuels may offer that same 24/7 availability, nuclear energy has an unparalleled energy density of the fuel used. Just one uranium fuel pellet – roughly the size of the tip of an adult’s little finger – contains the same amount of energy as 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas, 1,780 pounds of coal or 149 gallons of oil. Likewise, coal-fired plants contribute 70% of all our electricity but are naturally dirty. They emit 2.5 gigatons of carbon dioxide every year, as well as other toxins, including nitrous oxide and sulfur dioxide. These emissions are a major contributor to the greenhouse effect and the global warming that has come in its

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