Should Duke Energy Build a Nuclear Energy Power Plant in North Carolina

JoTopic: Should Duke Energy Build a Nuclear Energy Power Plant in North Carolina?

Nuclear energy originates from the splitting of uranium atoms in a process called fission. At a power plant, the fission process is used to generate heat for producing steam, which is used by a turbine to generate electricity. About 440 nuclear reactors are used around the world to produce about 17% of the worlds electricity. The USA has 100 nuclear power reactors in 31 states, operated by 30 different power companies. Since 2001 these plants have achieved an average capacity factor of over 90%, generating up to 807 billion kWh per year and accounting for 20% of total electricity generated. Capacity factor has risen from 50% in the early 1970s, to 70% in 1991, and it passed 90% in 2002, remaining at around this level since. The industry invests about $7.5 billion per year in maintenance and upgrades of these."NuScale SMR Wins Second DoE Funding round." Nuclear Power in the USA. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.

With the process of nuclear energy, there is pollution in the form of radioactive waste and the possibility of radiation leakage or a plant meltdown. There are problems and dangers, which could lead to possible accidents. For example, the power stations are run manually and human error could possibly lead to accidents and disasters. And even though the cost are cheaper in the long run, the reactors also have a very expensive capital outlay in the beginning. Duke Energy is proposing to build a nuclear power plant in North Carolina. I feel that Duke Energy SHOULD’NT build a nuclear energy power plant in North Carolina, and here are my reasons why.

Nuclear power is extremely costly.

The beginning cost of building a nuclear power plant i...

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...n. Sunlight, or solar energy, can be used directly for heating and lighting homes and other buildings, for generating electricity, and for hot water heating, solar cooling, and a variety of commercial and industrial uses.

The sun's heat also drives the winds, whose energy, is captured with wind turbines. Then, the winds and the sun's heat cause water to evaporate. When this water vapor turns into rain or snow and flows downhill into rivers or streams, its energy can be captured using hydroelectric power.Along with the rain and snow, sunlight causes plants to grow. The organic matter that makes up those plants is known as biomass. Biomass can be used to produce electricity, transportation fuels, or chemicals. The use of biomass for any of these purposes is called bioenergy."Types of Renewable Energy." Why Is Renewable Energy Important? N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.