Nuclear Power – alternative energy solution under fire by Tony Green

Nuclear power plant

Prior to the problems with the Fukushima nuclear reactor in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami nuclear power had gained traction as a whole. The expansion of nuclear power as a renewable source of power has been included in the Obama administration’s energy plan. Recently inroads had been made in commissioning nuclear power plants of come on line by the middle of the next decade.

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) 104 commercial nuclear power reactors (65 nuclear power plants) in 31 states are currently in operation. These plants supply more nuclear capacity than any nation on earth accounting for 20% of our country’s total power output.

Yet in light of the negative publicity which has been generated calling to curtail our nations plans to expand the use of nuclear power due to concerns about radiation exposure there are some points I feel Americans as a whole are overlooking.

Case in point, with the recent tsunami in Japan the near meltdown has galvanized the anti-nuclear community. I was hoping people had forgiven the nuclear industry in the 30 years since Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents.   Bear in mind, the reason for the leak at the Fukashima plant was not a procedure violation or a mechanical failure following by operator confusion of his plants indications which lead to less than optimal response. In short, the reactor breach resulted from an earth quake of unprecedented magnitude, i.e. an act of nature or Force de Majore.

Here’s a thought, when the Chilean miners got stuck in a mine shaft while procuring coal did the masses request all Americans not to use coal to meet our power needs? Coal, interestingly enough, accounts for nearly half of our generating capacity.

Last September a faulty gas line ruptured in San Mateo, California killing four people and destroying an entire neighborhood.  The root cause was likely a pressurized valve which was not maintained properly and over time failed. Was there a public outcry to not use natural gas as a source of power? In the event you were wondering natural gas counts another 20% of our power that is generated in the United States. Why is when these accidents occur no one questions our use of coal and natural gas? Yet, when the same sorts of mishaps occurs in nuclear plants people cite this occurrences as evidence for shutting down our current nuclear plants and scuttling our plans to build new plants.

I was hopeful nuclear power, which is renewable energy source since splitting atoms emits no carbon dioxide, could be part of long term plan to wean our country off of foreign oil and contribute to reduce the green house gas emission.

At this point, I am convinced people in general will never view nuclear power as a viable option in spite of its proven safety record. I might as well get use to this fact although I still do not understand why…