EGEE 101
Energy and the Environment

Is nuclear the answer?

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If we need a technology that provides electricity without greenhouse gas emissions, we already have one: Nuclear.

 Picture of a nuclear power plant.
A nuclear power plant in California. One of about 106 96 reactors in the country (U.S.) producing  almost 20% of the electricity! The reactor building is framed by the large cooling towers that emit water vapor and steam into the environment (no nuclear radiation from the cooling towers).
Credit: NREL, Warren Gtetz

Recall the discussion on the nuclear future for the US? We have an aging nuclear reactor "fleet" and the predictions are that the percent of power generated from nuclear is going to decrease (for 2 reasons: as the economy and energy production grows the output of nuclear will remain about the same but the percent contribution will be less AND decommissioning of nuclear plants will result in a loss of capacity). The likely contender for filling the gaps in our energy supply: natural gas! Perhaps fear of climate change will overcome the fear of nuclear power? We have no significant  plans to build new reactors currently so if this is going to play a role in CO2 emission growth reduction NOW is the time to act! The decommissioning of nuclear plants is increasing (Three Mile Island will close) as it is cheaper to use natural gas but that will increase CO2 emissions! There are some policy changes pending that may slow this down by valuing the electricity produced without CO2 emissions more.