Nuclear Power Plants Sparking an American Debate for Decades

The need for electricity continues to grow each year worldwide. Americans have long sought out an environmentally friendly, safe way of fulfilling their needs for energy. Presently, as concerns for the environment continue to become more prominent in the U.S., the demand for cleaner energy producing practices also becomes more pronounced. One of the cleanest production methods in use today is nuclear power generation (Kidd). Nuclear power plants do not emit the harmful green house gases and other negative by-products associated with the more conventional systems fuelled by coal and natural gas. Nuclear power plants use nuclear reactions to drive their generators. The reactions produce extreme amounts of heat that must be managed. Most†¦show more content†¦The possibility of terrorist groups attacking and gaining access to nuclear facilities has been examined in much detail since September 11, 2001 (Chapin et al.). Opponents of nuclear power generation claim that it is far t oo easy for rebel forces to make dirty bombs out of nuclear waste. Dirty bombs could be made from spent fuel rods and could be devastating if detonated in an urban area; however, they are also harmful to their maker and easily detected (Chapin et al., Maiello). Large cities such as New York have also begun training first responders to detect and deal with dirty bombs (Maiello). Nuclear facilities and processes are also very secure. Studies have shown that the containment vessels used to transport spent fuel rods are very resilient. Field tests completed by the nuclear industry and its regulating bodies have shown that the vessels are susceptible to only the latest anti-tank artillery. They have also shown that even after the containers are breached the resulting risk was minimal (Chapin et al.). Security personnel are also very adept at thwarting sabotage. The U.S. government regulates all nuclear facilities and their security. Highly skilled individuals that specialize in infiltrat ion have been testing mock attacks on nuclear installations for years with limited success (Chapin et al.). S. Fred Singer, Chairman and President ofShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesand Paul Buhle, eds., The New Left Revisited David M. Scobey, Empire City: The Making and Meaning of the New York City Landscape Gerda Lerner, Fireweed: A Political Autobiography Allida M. 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