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Benefits & Disadvantages of Nuclear Power

http://education.seattlepi.com/benefits-disadvantages-nuclear-power-5908.html

Educationby Demand Media

by Ralph Heibutzki, Demand Media

Nuclear plant licenses last an initial term of 40 years.

Nuclear power’s role has aroused debate since the technology became widespread during the 1950s. Crises such as the Fukushima plant disaster in Japan have renewed concerns about safety and waste disposal. Still, nuclear power continues to play a major role, including in the United States, where 104 reactors supply about 20 percent of the nation’s energy demand. The technology is also proving more attractive in developing nations as a long-term strategy to deal with rising electricity needs.

Efficient and Reliable

Nuclear advocates regard the technology as one of the stablest, most-established methods of power production. One reason is the ability of nuclear plants to operate for months at a time, according to the Canada Nuclear Association. For example, several Canadian plants operated for 90 percent of available hours in 2008. This capability allows plants to achieve high levels of electricity production. In 2010, America’s 104 reactors produced 806.3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity — narrowly missing the 806.4 billion kilowatt-hour record set in 2007, the Nuclear Energy Institute states.

Enforcement and Oversight Concerns

Critics question how well the Nuclear Regulatory Commission enforces its rules. A review of the commission’s records from 2007 through 2011 found 56 violations at U.S. nuclear plants, ABC News reported in March 2011. Major issues included corroded cooling rods, faulty backup generators, inadequate emergency plans, and mishandled and missing nuclear materials. None of the incidents jeopardized public safety, but ABC suggested that the commission hadn’t acted vigorously enough in curbing repeated violations.

Limited Environmental Impact

An International Atomic Energy Association analysis suggests that nuclear power is less likely to impact the environment than fossil fuel, hydroelectric and renewable energy technologies. A 1,000-megawatt capacity nuclear plant doesn’t release toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, while continuing design improvements have reduced radioactive waste discharges roughly tenfold in the past decade, the association’s analysis indicates. Another benefit is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions so central in the global warming debate. France, for example, has reduced such emissions by 80 percent in 30 years.

Role in Meeting Energy Needs

Surging fossil fuel prices and electricity demands have prompted 45 nations that lack a nuclear industry presence — including Poland, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates — to consider it as an alternative, a March 2103 article in “U.S. News & World Report” indicates. The improved efficiency of modern reactor designs is one factor, as well as a shorter regulatory regulatory process that makes plant construction more economical than in the U.S., says Jack Spencer, a Heritage Foundation nuclear policy analyst interviewed for the magazine.

Uncertain Waste Disposal Strategies

No policy consensus exists for dealing with spent nuclear fuel stored in large cooling ponds or dry casks. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission estimates that roughly 63,000 metric tons of fuel sits in storage, awaiting long-term disposal, CNN stated in March 2011. Solutions have remained elusive, since the NRC has never stipulated a maximum storage period for spent fuel. Debate persists on whether it’s best to stick with the current methods or seek permanent disposal sites.