1. Nuclear Power

2. An energy future based on fossil fuels is not sustainable......nuclear power does not contribute to climate change – AND there is enough nuclear fuel to last around 230 years at current use rates (with the possibility of infinite supply right around the corner)infinite supply

3. Where in the World... is nuclear power?nuclear

4. Accident @ Three Mile Island (3.28.79) puts U.S. nuclearputs power program on the lowdown !

5. http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/page/nuc_reactors/operational.xls

7. All current nuclear power plants employ the fission of 235 U. The heat/energy produced by this reaction is used to boil water to produce steam which drives a turbine to generate electricity.

8. ...some of the mass of the starting atom is converted to energy!

9. Enrichment and more To make nuclear fuel, uranium ore is purified into uranium oxide (UO 2 ) Enrichment: separation of 235 U from 238 U to produce a material containing a particular concentration of 235 U Continuous Chain Reaction: mix of 4% 235 U to 96% 238 U allows CCR, but doesn’t support amplification into an explosion...

10. Enrichment and more Moderator: substance that slows down neutrons so they trigger more fission; water! Fuel rods: long metal tubes with enriched UO 2 in geometric patterns necessary for fission Control rods: neutron-absorbing material inserted/withdrawn as necessary to initiate fission reaction

14. Coal vs Nuclear: Fuel COAL (3 mil tons) –Strip mining causes habitat destruction and acid leaching NUCLEAR (75K tons) –Much lower impact from mining –The fission of 1 pound of uranium releases energy equal to burning 50 tons of coal

15. Coal vs Nuclear: CO 2 COAL –Emits 7 mil tons of CO 2 into atmosphere NUCLEAR –No CO 2

16. Coal vs Nuclear: SO 2, et al COAL –Emits 300 K tons of SO 2, particulates and other pollutants into atmosphere –Acid rain –Air pollution NUCLEAR –No emissions

17. Coal vs Nuclear: Radioactivity COAL –Due to natural presence of radioactive compounds in coal, releases 100x more radioactivity than nuclear plant NUCLEAR –Assuming containment, releases low levels of radioactive waste gases

18. Coal vs Nuclear: Solid Waste COAL –600 K tons of ash, requiring land disposal NUCLEAR –250 tons of highly radioactive wastes, requiring safe storage/disposal

19. Coal vs Nuclear: Safety COAL –Worker fatalities –Destructive fires NUCLEAR –Worker fatalities –Minor to catastrophic release of radiation, possible widespread radiation sickness, scores of human deaths, untold cancer occurrences, widespread long- lasting environmental contamination

20. Let’s not go nuclear...? The technology is not trustworthy... accidents will happen and people will die. Construction is costly, plants have short operational lifetimes Plants are prime targets for terrorist attacks NIMBY...where will the waste go?

21. Can the problems of radioactive waste and the potential for accidents be overcome?

22. Fukushima Reactor 3 Rooftop