Sashane Matthews
Nuclear power plants
On April twenty fifth, 1986, a Soviet nuclear
reactor melted down in the city of Chernobyl.
The accident immediately killed 30 people and was estimated that nearly 4,000 more people
will die from the radiation. The disaster at Chernobyl and to a lesser extent the scare at
Three Mile Island, often comes to mind when nuclear energy is discussed.(introduction)
Though, if properly managed, nuclear power can be a safe energy alternative to fossil fuel.
Unlike the fossil fuels that are usually used to obtain electricity, nuclear power creates no
hazardous green house gases. Nuclear power is used to generate about seven percent of the
world’s electric power and about 20 percent of the United States’ electrical power
(cjohnston.pdf)
Nuclear power plants have been a controversial topic ever since the nuclear reactor core
meltdown occurred at Three Mile Island in March of 1979. A nuclear power plant accident
like the one that occurred at Chernobyl in 1986 can result is wide spread illness and death.
However, nuclear power does offer certain advantages when compared to other forms of
energy. Nuclear power plants can help preserve the environment by lessening the dependence on
fossil fuels as a source of energy. The burning of gas, oil and coal is believed by some
environmentalists to contribute to atmospheric problems such as global warming and acid rain.
Since nuclear plants produce power without relying on these resources, they can help create
cleaner air.( e.how)
Nuclear energy is created by a controlled nuclear chain reaction that boils water, produces steam,
and powers steam turbines. Although this is an excellent way to generate electricity, there are a
few disadvantages of nuclear energy. Some of them include the waste, cost, and the possibility of
accidents disadvantages of nuclear energy. One of the biggest disadvantages of nuclear energy is
the waste. The output of waste is relatively small; it releases harmful radiation as it decays.
There is no method to get rid of the radioactivity of the waste or speed up the rate of decay.
The waste must be sealed and buried in a safe location to prevent contamination of the
environment and other people. (Disadvantage)
Nuclear power plant have impact the community because it help preserve the environment by
lessening the dependence on fossil fuels as a source of energy……I wouldn’t feel good about
having nuclear power plant because the accidents have killed too much people
http://www.stc-orlando.org/education/highsch/winning_entries/2005_CJohnston.pdf
http://voices.yahoo.com/disadvantages-nuclear-energy-430843.html?cat=15
http://wwhttp://www.epa.gov/radtown/nuclear-plant.html
w.ehow.com/about_4793305_advantages-nuclear-power-plants.html#ixzz29kOsKvpq