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Nuclear has many hidden costs. the power plants have to be dismantled after their useful life at large expense.
The issue of disposing of the radioactive waste is still a hot topic. There is an underground disposal depot in Nevada intended for this. One problem with that is that the waste still has to be transported there by truck and rail from all over the U.S. Many feel that there are too many chances for accidents in the transport.
"Civilian nuclear power producers benefit greatly from shifting a substantial portion of their liability for radioactive releases from accidents or attacks away from owners and investors and onto the taxpayer and the surrounding population.
These costs, both through higher insurance premiums and higher cost of capital,
would properly be reflected in the price of nuclear electricity. This subsidy has never been quantified comprehensively, but affects not only reactors, but nuclear fuel cycle facilities and nuclear materials transport as well. On a global level, the
subsidy is likely to be well in excess of $10 billion per year.
In the United States, current surcharges on nuclear power too low to cover expected disposal costs. In addition, the US government foolishly absorbed all risk for an on-time opening of a repository for commercial nuclear waste -- despite longstanding technical and political challenges associated with making this happen.
Taxpayers are now paying the industry millions per year for the delays, a figure that could rise sharply in years to come. Between inadequate fees, payments for delays, and most importantly, the shifting of disposal risks away from investors,
subsidies to nuclear waste management likely run into the billions of dollar per year."
Is nuclear safe enough? Advocates say the reactors are much safer now. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt on that. Still, if and when an accident does occur, the results could be devastating. Large areas could be made uninhabitable for a long long time. This is still much safer then the known annual deaths due to coal operations worldwide.
I don't rule out nuclear entirely. It could be part of our energy mix as it already is. It might make sense for certain parts of the country.
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Another Answer:
With any power generation there is associated risk. Nuclear has received bad press from two very bad accidents over the past thirty plus years. These two accidents have cost us dozens of lives. There is also a problem with radiation in the immediate area of the Japan plant for the next several years. This is all very real.
Other forms of fuel for power exist though. Coal plants being the most common. It is far less dramatic to talk about the 13,000 a year deaths annually due to mine accidents. We accept this loss. The acid rain and the CO2 emissions are a problem some claim, but yet we refuse to open our eyes to the only real and workable solution because of possible problems. Perhaps it is time to understand that we have a safer alternative to coal in Nuclear. Even if we had a Chernobyl event every five years it still would be fewer lives lost and less damage then we know we get from the fossil fuel alternatives.
While we wait and hope that renewables will someday become feasible for real power generation. Isn't it time we invest in a technology we know works?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThe conclusion is : Not reversible, but manageable.
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Which countries operate commercial nuclear reactors?
See www.world-nuclear.org for country by country information:INFORMATION PAPERSNUCLEAR BASICSOutline History of Nuclear Energy The Nuclear Debate GlossaryFACTS AND FIGURESWorld Nuclear Power Reactors 2008-09 and Uranium Requirements Nuclear share figures, 1998-2008 - May 2009 Uranium production figures, 1998-2008 - June 2009COUNTRY AND REGIONAL BRIEFINGSUranium in Africa Nuclear Power in Argentina Nuclear Power in Armenia Australia's Uranium Nuclear Energy Prospects in Australia Nuclear Power in Belgium Nuclear Power in Brazil Nuclear Power in Bulgaria California's Electricity Nuclear Power in Canada Nuclear Power in Canada Appendix 1: Ontario Energy Policy Nuclear Power in Canada Appendix 2: Alberta Tar Sands Uranium in Canada Uranium in Canada Appendix 1: Brief History of Uranium Mining in Canada Uranium in Central Asia Nuclear Power in China Nuclear Power in China Appendix 1: Government Structure and Ownership China's Nuclear Fuel Cycle Nuclear Power in Czech Republic Nuclear Energy in Denmark Nuclear Power in Finland Nuclear Power in France Nuclear Power in Germany Nuclear Power in Hungary Nuclear Power in India Nuclear Energy in Iran Nuclear Power in Italy Nuclear Power in Japan Uranium and Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan Nuclear Power in Korea Nuclear Power in Lithuania Nuclear Power in Mexico Uranium in Namibia Nuclear Energy Prospects in New Zealand Nuclear Power in the Netherlands Uranium in Niger Nuclear Power in Pakistan Nuclear Power in Romania Nuclear Power in Russia Nuclear Power in Slovakia Nuclear Power in Slovenia Nuclear Power in South Africa Nuclear Power in Spain Nuclear Power in Sweden Nuclear Power in Sweden Appendix 1: Barsebäck Closure Nuclear Power in Switzerland Nuclear Power in Taiwan Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom Nuclear Power in Ukraine Nuclear Power in United Arab Emirates Nuclear Power in the USA Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 1: US Operating Nuclear Reactors Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 2 Power Plant Purchases: Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 3: COL Applications US Nuclear Fuel Cycle US Nuclear Fuel Cycle Appendix 1: US Uranium Mining and Exploration US Nuclear Power Policy Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries
Do microwaves have any nuclear power?
There is no nuclear power involved in a microwave unless the electricity used to power it is from a nuclear power plant.
What do nuclear power plants have to do with nuclear energy?
Nuclear power plants produce electricity by using nuclear energy
What type of nuclear reaction is used to create power in nuclear power plants?
Nuclear fission
How is a nuclear power plant safe?
How is a nuclear power plant safe?
What war did the conclusion of World War 2 lead to?
It caused the vietnamese and the cold war. Because of nuclear power and the raise of Americas power
Which countries operate commercial nuclear reactors?
See www.world-nuclear.org for country by country information:INFORMATION PAPERSNUCLEAR BASICSOutline History of Nuclear Energy The Nuclear Debate GlossaryFACTS AND FIGURESWorld Nuclear Power Reactors 2008-09 and Uranium Requirements Nuclear share figures, 1998-2008 - May 2009 Uranium production figures, 1998-2008 - June 2009COUNTRY AND REGIONAL BRIEFINGSUranium in Africa Nuclear Power in Argentina Nuclear Power in Armenia Australia's Uranium Nuclear Energy Prospects in Australia Nuclear Power in Belgium Nuclear Power in Brazil Nuclear Power in Bulgaria California's Electricity Nuclear Power in Canada Nuclear Power in Canada Appendix 1: Ontario Energy Policy Nuclear Power in Canada Appendix 2: Alberta Tar Sands Uranium in Canada Uranium in Canada Appendix 1: Brief History of Uranium Mining in Canada Uranium in Central Asia Nuclear Power in China Nuclear Power in China Appendix 1: Government Structure and Ownership China's Nuclear Fuel Cycle Nuclear Power in Czech Republic Nuclear Energy in Denmark Nuclear Power in Finland Nuclear Power in France Nuclear Power in Germany Nuclear Power in Hungary Nuclear Power in India Nuclear Energy in Iran Nuclear Power in Italy Nuclear Power in Japan Uranium and Nuclear Power in Kazakhstan Nuclear Power in Korea Nuclear Power in Lithuania Nuclear Power in Mexico Uranium in Namibia Nuclear Energy Prospects in New Zealand Nuclear Power in the Netherlands Uranium in Niger Nuclear Power in Pakistan Nuclear Power in Romania Nuclear Power in Russia Nuclear Power in Slovakia Nuclear Power in Slovenia Nuclear Power in South Africa Nuclear Power in Spain Nuclear Power in Sweden Nuclear Power in Sweden Appendix 1: Barsebäck Closure Nuclear Power in Switzerland Nuclear Power in Taiwan Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom Nuclear Power in Ukraine Nuclear Power in United Arab Emirates Nuclear Power in the USA Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 1: US Operating Nuclear Reactors Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 2 Power Plant Purchases: Nuclear Power in the USA Appendix 3: COL Applications US Nuclear Fuel Cycle US Nuclear Fuel Cycle Appendix 1: US Uranium Mining and Exploration US Nuclear Power Policy Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries
What are examples of nuclear power?
nuclear power
How are nuclear power plants?
by nuclear power ¬.¬
How does nuclear get its power?
Nuclear power is produced through two processes: Nuclear Fission and Nuclear Fusion.
Do microwaves have any nuclear power?
There is no nuclear power involved in a microwave unless the electricity used to power it is from a nuclear power plant.
Is nuclear power biology?
No. Nuclear power is not based on biology. It is based on nuclear physics.
What do nuclear power plants have to do with nuclear energy?
Nuclear power plants produce electricity by using nuclear energy
What percentage of US power production is from nuclear power?
It is 28% nuclear power.
Does a CANDU produce nuclear or hydroelectric power?
nuclear power
What are the two nuclear power stations in Pakistan?
The Chashma Nuclear Power Complex and Karachi Nuclear Power Plant are in Pakistan.
What is nuclear power use for?
It is used for electricity in nuclear power plants == == Nuclear power is used to heat steam which then turns turbines, which generate electricity in nuclear power stations and also to provide propulsion and power on board nuclear submarines.
