1. A threat or an opportunity?
Nuclear Energy
A threat or an opportunity?

2. Definition & Types
Nuclear Energy : the power nuclear energy power plants get from the energy in the nucleus of an atom
Fission: the splitting of an object into two or more parts
Fusion: the joining of two or more parts
Boiling-water reactors— turns directly to steam
Pressurized-water reactors—pressurized to stay water

3. Location France (58) United States (99)
Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania-
Ukraine - Chernobyl
Fukushima Daiichi, Japan
Quad Cities- VERY CLOSE TO US

4. Resource Benefits Doesn’t pollute the air
Doesn’t require sun or wind to have energy
Easy to transport
Efficient
Low cost

5. Environmental Consequences
Hazardous if not disposed of properly—leaks radiation
Thermal discharge
Cancer risks
Water pollution
Land damage

6. Resource Uses Generate electricity Sterilize medicines and cosmetics
Preserves food
Improves some technology- watches, printers, smoke detectors
Generates electricity on space missions

7. Costs Construction of a plant: $ 5-6 billion
To power a plant: $ 1.51 per – Kilowatt hour
Disposal of nuclear waste:
$ 41.2 billion
Price of Uranium: $100 per pound

8. Applicable Legislation
Atomic Energy Act (1954)
The use of nuclear materials for the military and civilians
Energy Reorganization Act (1974)
Protects environment from radioactive materials
Nuclear Waste Policy Act (1982) : Federal government needs to provide a place to dispose nuclear waste
Nuclear non-proliferation Act (1978) : Limits the spread of nuclear weapons
National Environmental Policy Act: Proposal needs the environmental impacts

9. Extra Facts Nuclear energy makes up 13% of the world’s electricity
More than 30 countries in the world use nuclear energy
1 in 5 homes use nuclear energy for electricity
Uranium is used for nuclear energy
Between 1,400 and 1,800 jobs are made when building a new power plant

10. Literature Cited Holt Environmental Science Textbook
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