Nuclear Energy, the New Green Hope?

Posted by at Oct 30th, 2009 in Climate Change

Filed under: News , Alternative Energy , Climate Change

Exelon Byron Nuclear Generating Stations, IL. Photo: JEFF HAYNES, Getty Images

Back in the 70s, I remember nuclear energy being discussed in the same breath as geothermal and Solar power. But then the partial core meltdown happened at Three Mile Island in 1979 , giving the American public a huge scare about the safety of nuclear reactors.

It didn’t help matters when the film “Silkwood”, starring Meryl Streep, came out in 1983, showing how workers who were exposed to plutonium had to be literally scrubbed raw — those decontamination showers are burned into the brains of a generation!

But the climate crisis has created the urgent need for a power source that doesn’t produce CO2. There are already several nuclear power-plants online in the U.S. In 31 states there are 104 reactors, which provide about 20 of our emission-free energy .
As Josh discussed earlier this month, now that the climate bill is making its way through the Senate , thanks to a group of mainly Republican — but some Democrat — champions, nuclear power is taking center stage in the debate .

On one side you have the argument that the danger of toxic waste contamination far out-weighs the benefits . There is also the ongoing threat of terrorists targeting a nuclear reactor. The other side of the debate maintains that nuclear is safe, sustainable and abundantly available.

Like the rest of the climate debate, opinions on this topic are strong and convictions are deeply held. What do you think? Should we invest in expanding our nuclear capabilities, or put those resources toward growing alternative energy sources like wind and solar power?

Should the U.S. consider nuclear power a source of clean energy? No nukes! Might as well get it right, since we’re already doing it. Yes, this is smart science and we need to catch up with the rest of the world! Vote Nuclear Energy, the New Green Hope? originally appeared on Green Daily on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:07:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

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