Generating ElectricityFor many years, we have generated electricity

in much the same way:

.

►Nuclear power - 19 percent of the Nuclear power - 19 percent of the total electricity generated in the total electricity generated in the U.S. U.S.

►2007 - 66 nuclear power plants in 2007 - 66 nuclear power plants in U.S.U.S.

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

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

►Elements are radioactive, which Elements are radioactive, which means they are unstable and break means they are unstable and break down on their own (or with down on their own (or with assistance) into other elements. assistance) into other elements.

►Energy is released which can turn a Energy is released which can turn a generator.generator.

Fission

►The energy in one pound of highly enriched The energy in one pound of highly enriched Uranium is comparable to that of one million Uranium is comparable to that of one million gallons of gasoline.gallons of gasoline.

►One million times as much energy in one One million times as much energy in one pound of Uranium as in one pound of coal.pound of Uranium as in one pound of coal.

►Nuclear energy annually preventsNuclear energy annually prevents 5.1 million tons of sulfur5.1 million tons of sulfur 2.4 million tons of nitrogen oxide2.4 million tons of nitrogen oxide 164 metric tons of carbon164 metric tons of carbon

►Nuclear often pitted against fossil fuelsNuclear often pitted against fossil fuels Some coal contains radioactivitySome coal contains radioactivity Nuclear plants have released low-level Nuclear plants have released low-level

radiationradiation

Hazards of NuclearEnergy

►Risk of terrorismRisk of terrorism(new challenge to industry)(new challenge to industry)

►Radioactive WastesRadioactive Wastes

►Nuclear Accidents Nuclear Accidents

►Low-level wastes in commercial facilitiesLow-level wastes in commercial facilities

►Spent fuel in pools or “dry casks” by plantsSpent fuel in pools or “dry casks” by plants

►High-level underground repository High-level underground repository Yucca Mountain in Nevada to 2037Yucca Mountain in Nevada to 2037 Wolf River Batholith in Wisconsin after 2037?Wolf River Batholith in Wisconsin after 2037?

►Uranium oxide spills Uranium oxide spills

►Fuel rod spills (WI 1981)Fuel rod spills (WI 1981)

►Radioactive waste risksRadioactive waste risks

►Explosion and fire in the graphite core of one of Explosion and fire in the graphite core of one of four reactors four reactors

►Released radioactive material that spread over Released radioactive material that spread over part of the Soviet Union, eastern Europe, part of the Soviet Union, eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and later western Europe. Scandinavia, and later western Europe.

►31 claimed dead. Total casualties are unknown.31 claimed dead. Total casualties are unknown.►Worst such accident to date. Worst such accident to date.

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

3.5 million sick, 3.5 million sick, one/third of them childrenone/third of them children

8,000 deaths in 14 years

U.S. reaction to Chernobyl, 1986U.S. reaction to Chernobyl, 1986 Blamed on Communism, graphite reactorBlamed on Communism, graphite reactor

Also Soviet reaction to Three-Mile Island, 1979Also Soviet reaction to Three-Mile Island, 1979 Blamed on Capitalism, pressurized-water Blamed on Capitalism, pressurized-water

reactorreactor

►One of two reactors lost its coolant, which One of two reactors lost its coolant, which caused overheating and partial meltdown of its caused overheating and partial meltdown of its uranium core.uranium core.

► ►Some radioactive water and gases were Some radioactive water and gases were

released. released. ►Worst accident in U.S. nuclear-reactor history.Worst accident in U.S. nuclear-reactor history.

Less than 300 miles away

► In 1979, hundreds of people reported nausea, In 1979, hundreds of people reported nausea, vomiting, hair loss, and skin rashes. Many pets were vomiting, hair loss, and skin rashes. Many pets were reported dead or showed signs of radiationreported dead or showed signs of radiation

► Lung cancer, and leukemia rates increased 2 to 10 Lung cancer, and leukemia rates increased 2 to 10 times in areas within 10 miles downwind times in areas within 10 miles downwind

► Farmers received severe monetary losses due to Farmers received severe monetary losses due to deformities in livestock and crops after the disaster deformities in livestock and crops after the disaster that are still occurring today.that are still occurring today.

--lack of chlorophylllack 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

► Many insects disappeared Many insects disappeared for years.for years.

Bumble bees, carpenter Bumble bees, carpenter

bees, certain type bees, certain type caterpillars, or daddy-caterpillars, or daddy-long-leg spiderslong-leg spiders

Pheasants and hopPheasants and hop toads toads have disappeared.have disappeared.

►Nuclear energy has no typical pollutants or Nuclear energy has no typical pollutants or greenhouse gassesgreenhouse gasses

►Nuclear waste contains high levels of Nuclear waste contains high levels of radioactive waste, which are active for radioactive waste, which are active for hundreds of thousands of years.hundreds of thousands of years.

►The controversy around nuclear energy stems The controversy around nuclear energy stems from all parts of the nuclear chain reaction.from all parts of the nuclear chain reaction.