Ethical approach 

is the discipline and practice of applying value to

human behavior (as well as to the constructs of human culture particularly to morality, customs

and laws) resulting in meaningfulness.

Unethical  approach 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. ..

Nuclear energy power plant pros and cons

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.
... Show more

Pros and cons of nuclear power

Nuclear energy comes with many benefits and drawbacks, which is what
makes it such a controversial alternative energy source. Here are the main
nuclear energy pros and cons:
Pros and cons of nuclear energy
Pros Cons
Low-cost energy Environmental impact
Reliable power source Water intensive
Zero-carbon emissions Risk of nuclear accidents
Promising energy future Radioactive waste
High energy density Non-renewable energy source

What is nuclear energy?

Nuclear energy has been powering the United States for over 60 years. But
how exactly do nuclear power plants generate electricity?
Nuclear energy is formed by splitting uranium or plutonium atoms through
chain reactions in a nuclear reactor by a process called ‘nuclear fission’. The
energy released from splitting the atoms is used to heat water into steam. This
steam then turns a turbine, which creates usable electricity. 
Experts believe that thorium is another fuel that could be used for nuclear
power. It’s already being used in countries like India and Russia.

Advantages of nuclear energy

1. Low-cost energy

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

One of the biggest benefits of nuclear energy is that it is a reliable power

generation source. 
Unlike solar and wind energy, which need the sun to be shining or the wind to
be blowing, nuclear power can be generated at any time throughout the day.
This means that a nuclear power plant can produce energy nonstop, and you
won’t have to experience any delays in energy production. 

3. Zero carbon emissions

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. 
Try our solar cost calculator and find out how much you could save while reducing your carbon footprint
CALCULATE

4. Promising future energy supply

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. 

5. High energy density

It is estimated that the amount of energy released in a nuclear fission reaction

is ten million times greater than the amount released when burning fossil
fuels. 
Therefore, the amount of nuclear fuel required in a nuclear power plant is
much smaller compared to those of other types of power plants. This helps
contribute to the low cost of nuclear energy. One nuclear power plant can
produce thousands of megawatt hours of energy. 
Disadvantages of nuclear energy
While there are many advantages to using nuclear energy,  there are also
plenty of negative effects of nuclear energy. The following are the most
important ones:

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. 

3. Risk of nuclear accidents

Nuclear power plants have very strict safety measures in place. However,
accidents can happen no matter how careful you are. A meltdown at a nuclear
plant can have a catastrophic impact on the surrounding areas, which we
know from events like the Fukushima disaster, Chernobyl, and Three Mile
Island in Pennsylvania. 
In the event of a nuclear meltdown, harmful radiation can leak, which can
cause adverse effects on the environment and on human health. The 1986
incident at Chernobyl ultimately led to thousands of deaths, with estimates
ranging from 4,000 to 60,000 dead as a result of the incident. Not only
that, more than 2 million people are still struggling with health problems
related to Chernobyl. Today, over 30 years later, access is still limited within
the 19-mile Chernobyl exclusion zone.
It is important to keep in mind, however, that these types of accidents are rare.
Plus, many studies show that the fossil fuel industry is substantially more
deadly than the nuclear industry, even when you include catastrophes like
Chernobyl. 

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

A renewable energy resource is defined as a source of energy that is not

depleted when it is used, or that can be replenished within a human lifetime.
Solar power is an example of a renewable resource because as we turn solar
energy into usable electricity, we do not decrease the power of the sun. 
Nuclear energy, on the other hand, is a non-renewable energy source. This is
because the fuel used in nuclear reactors, uranium, is a finite resource. As we
mine uranium, we deplete the amount that is available, and more will not be
produced within a human lifetime. 
Right now, experts believe that there is about 200 years’ worth of uranium
available, assuming we stay at the same rate of nuclear production. But, if we
become more reliant on nuclear power in the future, the supply of uranium
will deplete faster, which may cause problems in the years ahead.

The future of nuclear energy

As you can see, there are many arguments both for and against nuclear
power. With further technological advances, this zero-carbon energy source
could help us reach a clean energy future. 
You may see new plants show up in the future. However, other forms of
energy like geothermal, wind energy, and solar power, are truly renewable and
could lead us to a greener future. 
You can power your home on renewable energy now by installing solar panels.
When you pair solar panels with energy storage, you can run your home on
solar even when the sun isn’t shining. Plus, installing solar panels can
completely eliminate your utility bill! 
Use our solar calculator to find out how much a solar system could save you. 

(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.

Ethics Surrounding Power Plants

Many concerns surrounding the location of nuclear plants have to do with waste
disposal and possible system malfunctions that could result in poisoning the
environment with radioactive materials. Nuclear waste is nuclear fuel whose chemical
composition has been altered. This results in toxically radioactive waste that, if not
disposed of properly, could infect neighboring communities of nuclear power plants
with radiation poisoning and lead to a catastrophic event. Because power plants utilize
water sources, there is a high risk for contaminating those water sources, which
neighboring communities might depend on. Tragic nuclear accidents have already
happened in the past like the Chernobyl Disaster, which occurred in 1986. [3] In this
case, a nuclear reactor blew up causing a huge explosion and fire that resulted in the
emission of radioactive substances into the environment. It wrecked the ecology
around it, turning pine trees orange (resulting in the region being called the "red
forrest"), and caused humans living in the area to flee. [4] What came from this
incident, and many others, was a huge concern for the location of power plants.
© Penelope Edmonds. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display
this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial
purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the
author.