Position Statement-The Use of Nuclear Energy

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Despite the fact the countries continue to increase the production of nuclear energy, my position is that new nuclear power plants should not continue to be built. The current use of nuclear power should be carefully evaluated with a plan to slowly decrease production throughout the world. The negative implications to the environment and economy support my position. The production of nuclear energy is not as safe and clean as some say that it is. The Oxford Research Group released a report providing evidence that supports this point. It is clear that nuclear power plants do not produce a lot of carbon dioxide when they operate, but it is the mining of uranium and the storing of waste that produces the carbon dioxide pollution. This way of producing power is not as friendly to the environment as once thought. The report states that over time more carbon dioxide will be produced because more equipment and energy will be needed to extract uranium ore and store the waste. It is estimated by 2070 uranium nuclear power would produce as much carbon dioxide as a gas fired power station. If the use of nuclear power continues to increase this number would increase as well having a significant impact on global warming and the environment (Herbst). There is additional evidence of negative environmental impact with the use of nuclear energy. There is a risk of water contamination with radioactive material from nuclear power plants. The leaking of material has been reported to occur at over a dozen nuclear plants in the U.S. This has contaminated various water sources, including ground water, rivers and streams (examiner.com). In 2011 when an earthquake occurred in Taiwan and generated a tsunami that struck a nuclear power pl... ... middle of paper ... .../More-bad-news-for-the-Pacific-Taiwanese- NPP-leaking-radioactive-water.html Accessed: 11/20/13 Moira, Herbst. New Debate Over Nuclear Option. March 26, 2007. http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2007-03-26/new-debate-over-nuclear-optionbusinessweek- business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice Accessed: 11/20/13 NEA. Broad Impacts of Nuclear Power. November 9, 1993. http://www.oecd-org/brief/brief-09.html Accessed: 11/20/13 7 Reasons Why Nuclear Power is Bad for the Environment and the Nation. December 11, 2009. http://www.examinar.com/article/ Accessed: 11/20/13 Three Mile Island Accident. March, 2001. http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Safety-of-Plants/Three-Mile-Island-accident/ Accessed: 11/20/13 Nuclear Waste http://library.thinkquest.org/3471/radiation_effects_body.html Accessed: 11/21/13

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