Data of Assignmnt
Data of Assignmnt
Nuclear energy might be one of the most c Unethical behavior is an action that falls
outside of what is considered morally right or proper for a person, a profession or an industry.
Individuals can behave unethically, as can businesses, professionals and
politicians.ontroversial
energy sources we have. For some people, the potential
risk associated with nuclear power is too great. For others, nuclear looks like
the answer for a zero-carbon future.
Despite being hotly debated, nuclear energy still makes up almost 20% of the
United States’ total energy generation.
We’re going to take a closer look at nuclear power, so you can better
understand the pros and cons of this energy source.
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Although building nuclear power plants has a high initial cost, it’s relatively
cheap to produce energy from them and they have low operating costs.
Also, nuclear power doesn’t experience the same kind of price fluctuations
that traditional fossil fuel energy sources like coal and natural gas do. Because
of that, the price of nuclear energy can be predicted well into the future.
That price is likely to remain low, or get even lower, as technologies advance.
2. Reliable
Nuclear power reactors do not produce any carbon emissions. This is a huge
advantage over traditional sources of energy, like fossil fuels, which releases
tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Excess carbon dioxide is one the leading causes of climate change. So, the less
carbon and greenhouse gas emissions an energy source has, the better.
In fact, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), nuclear electricity
production prevents 528 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from being
released into the atmosphere annually.
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CALCULATE
Nuclear fusion is the holy grail of harnessing energy. If we can learn to control
atomic fusion (the same reactions as those that fuel the sun), we could
practically have unlimited energy.
At the moment, this method has some serious challenges that need to be
worked out if we are to start using them on a larger scale. However, the
potential it has is important to keep in mind when thinking about energy
generation in the future.
1. Environmental impact
Although nuclear power plants release zero carbon emissions, nuclear power
still has a substantial impact on the environment, mainly through mining and
water discharge.
The uranium used to produce nuclear energy has to be mined. Mining of any
kind has a negative impact on the surrounding area. Uranium mining in
particular is known for releasing arsenic and radon. This has had a negative
impact on the health of those living around uranium mines, which consists
largely of members of the Navajo nation.
Nuclear power plants also cause something called ‘thermal pollution’. Most
nuclear power plants are located on a body of water, like a lake or the ocean.
The power plant uses water from the lake or ocean, referred to as cooling
water, to condense steam back into water.
This process causes the cooling water to increase in temperature, and is then
released back into the body of water. This hot water, usually around 100
degrees fahrenheit, significantly changes the chemistry of the ocean or lake it
is discharged into, making it inhabitable to most aquatic life.
2. Water intensive
Nuclear power plants require a lot of water to produce energy. In 2015, the
United States consumed 320 billion gallons of water to produce nuclear
power. That’s more water than what is used for coal processing.
As water becomes more scarce, especially in the face of climate change, this
enormous consumption of water could become unsustainable.
4. Radioactive waste
Generating nuclear power does not emit harmful greenhouse gases in the air,
however, it does create hazardous waste. The waste created by nuclear power
plants remains dangerously radioactive for thousands of years after it is
created. Many issues arise when trying to figure out how to store this
radioactive waste.
Waste continues to accumulate at nuclear power plants, as there is no long-
term storage facility for it. The accumulation of hazardous nuclear waste will
become an issue once power plants run out storage space.
Plus, if there is a compromise in the storage facility, such as a leak, the
radioactive material could cause significant damage to surrounding areas. The
federal government started looking for a place stable enough for nuclear
waste disposal in 1982, however, no such site has been found.
5. Non-renewable
(Unethical imact)
(SOCIAL IMPACTS OF A NUCLEAR POWER
PLANT)
Three main categories of social impacts emerge from the building and operation of a nuclear power
plant. One group results from impacts upon socially-valued aspects of the physical environment, and the
ether from impacts upon the social structure Itself. A third group of impacts, unique to nuclear power
plants, evolves from perceived danger of radiation. Most of the impacts during the construction phase
are similar to those caused by any other large and lengthy construction project (Breese , et al, 1965).
Additional Institutional effects arise during the operation phase because of the capital-intensive nature
of nuclear power generation ( 'v $1 billion for the standard two-unit 2300 Mwe plant now being built)
and because of the unusually large number of permissions, reviews, and licenses ( ^ 30) required at all
levels ef governvenf: in the ? - 8 year construction and licensing process. Of the large number of possible
social effects described for public works projects (Army Corps Engineers* 1973), *»** are also applicable
to nuclear power plants. Only the most significant ones have been reviewed here. however, because of
the need to be selective in choice of effects for more intensive analysis. Social effects can be defined as
observable quantitative or qualitative changes in social phenomena relating to any proposed project
(Array Corps Engineers,, 1973)
Ethical uses
Locating Power Plants
In deciding where to locate nuclear power plants, the first obstacle to climb is finding
a state where nuclear power plants are not banned. Fifteen states (California,
Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana,
New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia) have
laws in place that restrict the building of new nuclear facilities. [2] Once a state is
found that is willing to house a power plant, companies must find a topography that is
well suited for the plant. Water is a vital part to the function of a power plant, and
therefore it must be located near some body of water. Obviously, a power plant is
going to be huge, and therefore a location with a lot of open space is ideal. When a
location is found that meets this criteria, it comes down to the ethics.