Nuclear energy at a crossroads

Benefits Reactors generate electricity without adding to global warming/air pollution. Small amt. of U gives off large amts. of energy 150 lbs. of U 235 = lbs TNT U.S. has more energy in known U reserves than coal or gas. Pool type breeder reactor

Problems Reactors and nuclear missiles create radioactive waste with very long half-lives Plutonium is highly toxic Waste must be stored safely for at least years Canister burial deep underground

Low level waste Source: medical procedures, research, cleanup materials. 10 years in storage = 100 X less radiation May be removed later to landfills. Maxey Flats storage facility, KY

High level waste From N power plants and N missiles Material takes years to decay Best option: deep burial underground Prevents escape into air or ground water. Yucca mountain, NV

Disposal options

Why not……….. Bury it under the ocean floor? too expensive Blast it into space? too expensive, could leak into atmosphere, could explode on takeoff Recycle it? already being done

Transmutation/ recycling N fuel Changes high level waste to elements w/shorter ½ lives Breeder reactor: spent fuel is reprocessed to convert Pu to U for reuse Hybrid reactor: uses neutrons to convert U to smaller, less toxic elements (experimental) Fast breeder reactor, Japan

The H bomb Exploded 1952 on Eniwetok island, S. Pacific 9+ countries now have nuclear weapons.

Nuclear proliferation N power plants/ U refineries create Plutonium that can be used to make N bombs. When a country builds a N power plant, it causes international concern. Are they using it for electricity, or for war? Fast breeder reactor US Peacekeeper nuclear missile

1954 H bomb Humans have unlocked the power inside an atom What we do with that power is a question we must all ask and answer for ourselves.

‘Bravo’ Hydrogen bomb crater, 1956 Bikini atoll