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Nuclear
Nuclear energy provides about 8% of the nation's energy and is exclusively used to generate electricity, providing 20% of the nation's supply. Nuclear power is a controversial source of energy. Public misconceptions about the safety of nuclear energy have prevented many new plants from being built - no new plant has been ordered in this country for more than 25 years - and the number of operating reactors across the country have been declining. In an effort to diversify the nation's energy supply -- and prevent a dependence on natural gas to generate electricity the way oil has become for vehicles -- the Department of Energy is working with the industry to promote the construction of new facilities.However, there are legitimate concerns about the safety of long-term waste disposal, transporting nuclear fuel and waste, and proliferation in other countries that have not been sufficiently addressed.
Facts
- There are 104 nuclear power plants in the U.S., with a combined total of over 100 million kWh installed capacity.
Read more at the Energy Information Administration. - Nuclear power becomes an appealing option when it is compared with fossil fuels. Fuel costs make up 27 percent of the overall production costs of nuclear power plants. Fuel costs for coal, natural gas and oil, however, make up more than 75 percent of the production costs. The average fuel cost at a nuclear power plant in 2007 was 0.47 cents / kWh.
Read more at the Nuclear Energy Institute. - The increase in nuclear capacity and improved efficiency at nuclear power plants since 1993 represents one-third of voluntary carbon dioxide reductions from U.S. industries reported to the Energy Information Administration.
Read more at the Nuclear Energy Institute. - In 2007, nuclear energy accounted for about 74 percent of U.S. emission-free electricity generation.
Read more at the Nuclear Energy Institute. - Nuclear power does not produce sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxide, which both cause acid rain and smog.
Read more at the Nuclear Energy Institute. - Nuclear energy is the most labor intensive electricity source, allowing for the creation of many jobs. Read more at the University of California, Berkeley.
