Solomon Gabert
Nuclear energy is the potential energy of the particles inside an atomic nucleus. The nuclear particles are bound together by the strong nuclear force. Weak nuclear forces provide the potential energy for certain kinds of radioactive decay, such as beta decay.
A radioactive uranium bundle heats water into steam. The jet of steam then turns a large turbine. The movement in the turbine generates power. The water in the reactor also serves as a coolant for the radioactive material, preventing it from overheating and melting down.
When handled properly and without major natural disasters nuclear power is safe. In March 2011 the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear facility received serious damage to the plant and several of its reactor units. Water drained from the reactor core, this resulted in overheating and a partial nuclear meltdown. Today this problem is still far from over.
There are 443 nuclear power reactors spread across the planet in 47 different countries.
Emery County is ready to sell land for the construction of up to 4 nuclear reactors and a uranium mill, 3 to 7 miles west of Green River, Utah.
Reason for Nuclear Power in Utah Local control for Utah. Would bring good jobs. Would increase state tax revenue. Reason against Nuclear Power in Utah Major chance of project failure. Who will pay for it? Water requirements. Potential health consequences.
Utah would have NO local control. Nuclear power is federally regulated and local and state jurisdictions have no regulatory authority. Although some jobs would be created it is not many and they are typically high-level jobs meaning locals would most likely not be employed. Nuclear power plants have historically had a 50/50 chance of success. Those that do not succeed end up draining the coffers of local governments and contribute to our national debt.
Nuclear power is incredibly expensive. Current estimates put construction costs at around $12 billion per reactor and estimates continue to rise (for comparison, the state of Utah's budget in 2008 was $5.8 billion). Contribute to national debt. We all will be paying tax dollars for new nuclear power plants because nuclear energy is the most heavily subsidized energy sector in U.S. history. How expensive would the power be? Electricity from a nuclear reactor will be two to three times what we pay in Utah today. Lack of Water. Utah is a desert and faces long term water shortages.
No one has found a disposal solution for the spent fuel rods from nuclear reactors Spent fuel rods are a million times more radioactive then when first loaded, lethal within seconds when unshielded, and have to be isolated for hundreds of thousands of years after use. Exposure to radiation will kill you. The workers rescuing Japan from its current nuclear crises are dying from radiation exposure.
Geothermal Power Geothermal power in Utah could potentially supply power for up to 2.5 million people. Expansion of geothermal plants is currently happening in Iron and Beaver Counties. If developed Geothermal power could bring hundreds of additional jobs to Utah.
In the coming years we will hear more about this proposal. Make your voice heard, promote other forms of energy.