2. Nuclear Power Created by: Joe P, Manny, T.J., and Ryan T Joe P, Manny, T.J., and Ryan T

3. Introduction JTotal number of Nukes built in the USA: 67, 500 JTotal number of bombers built 1945-present: 4,680 JStates with the largest nuclear weapons stored in them:New Mexico(2,450), Georgia(2,000), Washington(1,685), Nevada(1,350), and North Dakota(1,140) All of these facts are true about the United States Nuclear Program. Nuclear power was started in the early 1900’s as a clean and efficient way to operate. However, nuclear power plants have some major environmental risks. Nuclear power plants produce radioactive gases. If these gases are released into the air major health risks can occur. The plants also use uranium as fuel to produce power. Handling of uranium is risky and radiation leaks can occur. Finally, permanent storage of spent radioactive fuel is toxic for centuries, handling and disposing is a long and tiresome issue.

4. Pros. i Nuclear power is an efficient power. iNuclear power plants have quick safety systems to protect workers, the public, and the environment. i Radioactive material from a power plant is kept in a solid form to make it less harmful to people. i 6 of the 32 states that have nuclear power plants rely on them for 50% of there power. i 434 reactors worldwide that generate electricity for 33 countries. iNuclear fission is used to separate atoms that produce a lot of energy when released slowly. This is sent to a generator that produces electricity which then sends it out so you can watch TV, Listen to a stereo, turn on a light, or keep a refrigerator running.

5. Cons. f Spending on all US nuclear weapons and weapon related programs: $35,100,000,000. fConstruction costs for launch pads and silos, and supporting facilities, from 1957- present: $96,000,000,000. f11 U.S. bombs lost in accidents and never recovered. f104,000,000 cubic meters of radioactive waste from weapon activities. f1 island vaporized November 1, 1952 as a result of a H-bomb test. f106 nuclear tests in the Pacific Ocean. fThe Three Mile Island accident involved a small leak of water from the reactor system that wasn’t correctly dealt with. fThere are 15,654 square miles of known nuclear weapon bases. New Jersey, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts combined is 15,357 square miles.

6. Opinion I think that nuclear power is worst than it seems. It provides some countries and states with energy, however, it was then used to create the atomic bomb. The atomic bomb can annihilate a city off the map and when used continuously can destroy the world. When people like the North Korean leaders get nuclear weapons they think they are invincible and try to cause chaos. There is no targeting system that can destroy a nuke in mid-air because if that happened it would create a cloud of radioactive waste and everything below it would die. In conclusion nuclear power would be much more useful if it wasn’t turned into a weapon that can kill thousands of humans in a blink of an eye.

7. Summary Nuclear power is an efficient source of power, however, it is dangerous to workers, civilians, and the environment. Nuclear power plants can produce radioactive gases, they use uranium as a fuel to produce power, and radioactive fuel is hard to handle and dispose of and can last for centuries. Nuclear power produces electricity to 33 countries and 32 states. There are many reasons nuclear power is good and bad for the environment and people. It can protect us and provide us with power or it can kill us or harm us in many ways. If too many nuclear weapons explode simultaneously it can destroy the world.

8. Bibliography 50 facts about US nuclear weapons: www.brook.edu/FP/PROJECTS/NUCWCOST/50 Nuclear Power : www.theozonehole.com American Educator Encyclopedia N-ORC: Editor in Chief: Everett Edgar Sentman