2. Generating Electricity For many years, we have generated electricity in much the same way:.

3. ► Nuclear power - 19 percent of the total electricity generated in the U.S. ► 2007 - 66 nuclear power plants in U.S.

5. http://www.visionlearning.com/library /flash_viewer.php?oid=3602http://www.visionlearning.com/library /flash_viewer.php?oid=3602

6. ► uranium-235 or plutonium-239 is mined in deep pits.

7. ► Elements are radioactive, which means they are unstable and break down on their own (or with assistance) into other elements. ► Energy is released which can turn a generator.

8. Fission

9. ► The energy in one pound of highly enriched Uranium is comparable to that of one million gallons of gasoline. ► One million times as much energy in one pound of Uranium as in one pound of coal.

10. ► Nuclear energy annually prevents  5.1 million tons of sulfur  2.4 million tons of nitrogen oxide  164 metric tons of carbon ► Nuclear often pitted against fossil fuels  Some coal contains radioactivity  Nuclear plants have released low-level radiation

14. Hazards of Nuclear Energy

15. ► Risk of terrorism (new challenge to industry) ► Radioactive Wastes ► Nuclear Accidents

16. ► Low-level wastes in commercial facilities ► Spent fuel in pools or “dry casks” by plants ► High-level underground repository  Yucca Mountain in Nevada to 2037  Wolf River Batholith in Wisconsin after 2037?

18. ► Uranium oxide spills ► Fuel rod spills (WI 1981) ► Radioactive waste risks

20. ► Explosion and fire in the graphite core of one of four reactors ► Released radioactive material that spread over part of the Soviet Union, eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and later western Europe. ► 31 claimed dead. Total casualties are unknown. ► Worst such accident to date.

22. ► Health effects as a result of radiation exposure: -increased likelihood of cancer -birth defects including long limbs, brain damage, conjoined stillborn twins damage, conjoined stillborn twins -reduced immunity -genetic damage

23. 3.5 million sick, one/third of them children 8,000 deaths in 14 years

24. U.S. reaction to Chernobyl, 1986  Blamed on Communism, graphite reactor Also Soviet reaction to Three-Mile Island, 1979  Blamed on Capitalism, pressurized-water reactor

26. ► One of two reactors lost its coolant, which caused overheating and partial meltdown of its uranium core. ► ► Some radioactive water and gases were released. ► Worst accident in U.S. nuclear-reactor history.

27. Less than 300 miles away

28. ► In 1979, hundreds of people reported nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and skin rashes. Many pets were reported dead or showed signs of radiation ► Lung cancer, and leukemia rates increased 2 to 10 times in areas within 10 miles downwind ► Farmers received severe monetary losses due to deformities in livestock and crops after the disaster that are still occurring today.

29. - lack of chlorophyll - lack of chlorophyll -deformed leaf patterns -deformed leaf patterns -thick, flat, hollow stems -thick, flat, hollow stems -missing reproductive parts -missing reproductive parts -abnormally large -abnormally large TMI dandelion leaf at right

30. ► Many insects disappeared for years.  Bumble bees, carpenter bees, certain type caterpillars, or daddy- long-leg spiders  Pheasants and hop toads have disappeared.

31. ► Nuclear energy has no typical pollutants or greenhouse gasses ► Nuclear waste contains high levels of radioactive waste, which are active for hundreds of thousands of years. ► The controversy around nuclear energy stems from all parts of the nuclear chain reaction.