Future of Nuclear Energy in America

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Foreword Nuclear Energy has many proponents and much opposition. Many of the groups that oppose nuclear power have legitimate concerns, mainly with the dangers of nuclear material in relation with human health concerns and environmental troubles that are risked by allowing nuclear power plants to increase in number. Yet, many of these opposition groups have made outspoken and radical claims about the “hidden” motives of why nuclear power is promoted and subsidized by our federal government. For example, The Nuclear Information and Resource Service claim that the federal government has the intention of committing genocide against Native Americans because uranium mining is predominantly done on reservations. Another cry out by nuclear power opponents is the constant reliving of the few nuclear mishaps that occurred decades ago, at Chernobyl or Three Mile Island. No doubt, past accidents have happened worldwide and are important reminders to not play around with nuclear material, but technology has improved as well, a fact opponents fail to consider. Many of these organizations feel that other sources should be used to supply America’s energy needs. These types of statements tag many opponents to nuclear energy as misinformed, out of touch with scientific facts, or just closed minded to the whole concept of nuclear power. On the other hand, the proponents of nuclear energy like President Bush see it as cheap, and environmentally friendly. As a result, President Bush passed the Comprehensive Energy Bill in 2005 that would increase production of all types of energy, including nuclear, by giving subsidies and tax breaks to nuclear power producers. Keeping safe America’s capabilities for generating electric power by way of nuclear e... ... middle of paper ... ... Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall FEMA (2006). Are You Ready? Retrieved November 12, 2012 from http://www.fema.gov/areyouready International Nuclear Safety Center (2008). Maps of Nuclear Power Reactors Retrieved November 12, 2012 http://www.insc.anl.gov/pwrmaps/map/united_states.php NIRS (2008). Top 11 Reasons to Oppose Nuclear Power Retrieved November 14, 2012 from http://www.nirs.org/nukerelapse/background/ Parenti, Christian (2008). What Nuclear Renaissance? Retrieved November 10, 2012 from http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080512/parenti Uranium Producers of America (2008). Promoting the Viability of Domestic Uranium Retrieved November 7, 2012 http://www.uraniumproducersamerica.com/supply.html U. S. Department of Energy (2008). Safe handling and disposal of spent nuclear fuel Retrieved November 18, 2012 http://www.ocrwm.doe.gov/

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