human have a large need of power in this day and age for almost everything. One of the most used methods to attain energy is though nuclear power plants. but the question has arisen is nuclear power really better for are environment then other alternative? With its long life, radiation, and effects on the environment I say no…. Humans should not allow nuclear power with the harmful effect on the environment and the people that live within it.

Did you know Washington is considered to be the 10 th most radioactive place in the world. Washington is considered No. 1 in the united state with “53 million gallons of liquid waste, 25 million cubic feet of solid waste and 200 square miles of contaminated groundwater” (brainz.org). These numbers don’t count the chemical waste from Fukushima that washed up on shores on the west coast. Washington population is estimated to be about 6,668,200 citizens(Zylstra)

“Nuclear plants, like plants that burn coal, oil and natural gas, produce electricity by boiling water into steam. This steam then turns turbines to produce electricity. The difference is that nuclear plants do not burn anything. Instead, they use uranium fuel, consisting of solid ceramic pellets, to produce electricity through a process called fission”(nei.org). Good: clean air, and not much fossil fuel used. Bad: Not a renewable energy, contaminates water supplies, is extremely radioactive, no safe way to keep nuclear waste. Cost: energy cost is 75 cents a kWh or kilo watt hour

Hydro-Electric Power is similar to Wind Energy except what is turning the turbine this time is water. Which transmit this in to electricity that is then transferred to a hydroelectric generator. Good: renewable energy source and emission free Bad: there are hardly any new dam sites that can be harnessed without major environmental issues such as flooding ect.. Then theirs the every 50 year renewable license for the dam to maintain running lets just say (extremely difficult) many owners would rather sell it then go through it again. Cost: 70 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh)

Windmill power works by wind Turn the huge turbines to make electricity this connects to a generator and is store until you need it. Good: renewable energy source and emission free Bad: it only works when the wind is blowing all the time such as these state South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Texas Kansas, and Wyoming. Cost: if a household spent 25% of their energy each month on wind energy it would only cost $5

Solar energy works by turning the sun into energy. This happen when the sun meets the solar panels that are set up then the solar panel or “photovoltaic (PV) cells, which convert sunlight into DC power” Good: renewable energy source and emission free Bad: it only works when the sun is out. For example it would not be vary useful in western wasting ton where the sun hardly shines but in places like Arizona, south California, Nevada, Texas, and New Mexico it would do just fine. Cost: 6 cents per kilowatt-hour

With alternatives like dam power, windmill power, and solar power there is no need for nuclear power. It is only 14 percent of the power us human obtain anyways. Why should we kill are environment with nuclear waste when we have better alternatives? The whole state of Washington would be affected if a meltdown like fukushima were to happen in Washington.

"Nuclear Waste." Nuclear Waste. Academic Brooklyn, n.d. Web. 11 May Michio Kaku and Jennifer Trainer, Nuclear Power: Both Sides (1982). Shimatsu, Yoichi. "The Death Of The Pacific Ocean." The Death Of The Pacific Ocean. Rence, 16 Dec. 11. Web. 29 May "Brainz." Ten Most Radioactive Places on Earth. Brainz, n.d. Web. 29 May Zylstra, Brian. "How Many People Live in Washington? More than Last Year …." From Our Corner » Blog Archive » How Many People Live in Washington? More than Last Year …. WA Secretary of State Blogs, 30 June Web. 29 May "How Nuclear Reactors Work." Nuclear Energy Institute -. Nuclear Energy Institute, Web. 29 May "Nuclear Facts - Is Nuclear Energy a Good Choice for the Environment? - Canadian Nuclear Association." Canadian Nuclear Association. Canadian Nuclear Association, Web. 27 May "How Commercial Solar Energy Systems Work." How Does Solar Energy Work. Solar City, Web. 29 May "U.S. Utility-Scale Solar 60 Percent Towards Cost-Competition Goal." Energy.gov. Energy.gov, 12 Feb Web. 29 May Phelps, Megan. "The Best States for Wind Power." Mother Earth News. Mother Earth News, 2 Sept Web. 29 May 2014.

Bye Mr. McCormick it was nice to be in your class this year. Thank you! : ) “To know your future you must know your past” my moms favorite quote