BY SEAN ZDEB AND JORDAN CHANG Nuclear Energy Reborn: The Pro’s, Con’s and Rebirth of a World-Changing Fuel

What is Nuclear Energy? A form of energy produced by the reactions of atomic elements, like Uranium, Plutonium, etc. It is a form of fuel (energy). Used to power electricity mostly. (16% of world’s electricity) Created in large power plants, most of which can be found in rural areas down south. It is an experiment that has been pondered upon for some time as a efficient alternative to the world’s growing demand for a better fuel.

How it’s made. Energy due to the splitting (fission) of the nuclei of atoms. Splitting= radioactive decay. Takes place in a fuel rod Can break into neutron, protons, Or heavier nuclei. In a boiling -water reactor, heat generated by the controlled splitting of atoms in fuel rods go directly to boil water into steam that then turns turbines to produce electricity. A Nuclear fuel pellet is equivalent to 1,780 Lbs. of coal, in terms of energy produced. Nuclear fuel pellets

Why is it being “reborn?” Recent studies have shown that nuclear energy is a smart alternative to fossil fuel burning. The price for coal is becoming too expensive Green house gases are contributing to Global Warming, nuclear energy is a solution. We’re running out of it. – There will be a 50% increase in electricity worldwide by – What will we do then? 50 power plants could reach up to a third of the energy desperately needed in the world.

The Pro’s Rising cost of fossil fuels Recyclable; we can recover up to 70% of spent fuel, and reuse it again and again with all the original power. Spent fuel would live long enough to be recycled, but not too long.  Department of Energy focused attention of reprocessing fuel that is smaller, lighter.  Will contain same energy production, but won’t lay around for millenia.  U.S.=2,000 lbs. of spent waste.  U.S.=100 million tons of toxic material. Takes up little space, waste included. We have more than enough space. Much safer and efficient than coal, fossil fuels.  In 2005, U.S. pumped 7 billion tons of toxic carbon dioxide into the air from electric energy

COUNTLESS IMPROVEMENTS ARE MADE OVER PREVIOUS DESIGNS FOR PLANTS AND FUEL RODS.  Reduces the risk of a meltdown. OVERALL, PROVIDES A HIGHLY EFFICIENT ENERGY SOURCE, KEEPS OUR ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION-FREE, AND IS A SOLUTION TO THE RIDICULOUS PRICES FOR GAS AND FOSSIL FUELS. Pro’s cntd.

General Outline of Nuclear Energy Production The reactor allows the coolant within the reactor core to boil The steam made is separated, dried, and passed directly to turbine generators The steam condenses and is then used to power electricity

The Con’s Excessive cost  To build two water-boiling reactors= $6 billion  Not counting millions to keep it safe, pay workers, etc.  A few nuclear recycling facilities alone would cost range from $ billion.  $ billion for facilities. Security threats  Smaller, lighter products increase risk of being obtained by terrorists  Could be used for the wrong purposes Long-lived radioactive waste still remains a potential risk.  Nuclear spill  Spent fuel tanks get filled

Con’s cntd. A lack of labor and technical expertise  Not many people are educated enough to be working with harmful chemicals  This could result in accidents, like a spill. Public opposition  Environmentalists highly discourage it: “ …an overly complicated and dangerous solution to a relatively simple problem.”

A Plan Since nuclear energy is efficient enough to power nearly a third of the world’s electricity, we should begin to cut our fossil fuel use by nearly half, and then begin to use nuclear energy as an alternative source of fuel in every source of electrical energy.