How is using nuclear energy less harmful to the environment than using fossil fuels?

Answer 1

Neither fossil fuels nor nuclear energy can be considered completely clean energy like hydroelectric. The recent nuclear accident in Japan shows that accidents from nuclear power plants can be devastating.

The environmental impact of fossil fuels results when we use them in our cars and power plants. The primary pollutant is carbon dioxide, which is responsible for global warming and acid rain. Some question the conclusions of global warming as related to carbon dioxide but it is a fact that burning fossil fuels causes pollution.

The principal problem with nuclear energy, under normal operations, is the safe disposal of the spent fuel. As more nuclear power plants are built, this becomes a very large and complex problem, as the spent fuel stays radioactive for many years. Transporting it to a safe location, and insuring that it will never leak radioactivity is difficult. I have attached links on the environmental problems with nuclear energy.

A nuclear power plant that is not operating properly with the cooling of the core, runs the risk of radiation leaks, and ultimately if not controlled, a melt-down. You may find extensive discussion on the nuclear power plant accidents in the links I have provided.

There is little environmental impact of nuclear power under normal operations of generating electricity. There are occasional releases of low level radioactivity, and the impact of this radiation in the surrounding areas is generally considered minor. The cooling water does become radioactive, but is contained in a closed loop so it is not under normal operating conditions released to the atmosphere.

I have tried to find links in the internet that are not biased and present the facts about nuclear energy and fossil fuels. See related links.