Nuclear power has always been seen as a “safe” alternative energy to burning fossil fuels. So much so they today is accounts for about twenty-five percent of worldwide power generation. But here are 7 reasons why nuclear power sucks:

1 – It is expensive:

If you think it costs around $6 – 12 billion just to build one reactor, a lot of wasted tax dollars have been used to subsidize these big utility companies. Why not invest that money in other renewable energy such as wind farms or solar power?

2 – It actually increases green-house gases:

Nuclear enthusiast argue that reactors emit very little green-house gases. But what they do not realize is all the carbon dioxide released in other links in the nuclear chain. For example – gas-guzzling machines are used to mine the uranium, transport it to the reactors, and help build the reactor itself.

Furthermore, their construction takes too long to solve global warming. In fact, investing in nuclear power deprives other efforts – such as energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy – of further funding and development.

3 – What happens to all that radioactive waste?

Each reactor creates a lot (twenty to thirty tonnes) of highly toxic radioactive waste per year. Not to mention the so-called “low” level radiation emitted in the rest of the supply chain – such as during the mining and milling process.

4 – Any accident would be catastrophic:

All nuclear plants are vulnerable to accidents or attacks. Nevertheless, if an accident did occur, the current evacuation plans are completely unrealistic. In addition, the Price-Anderson Act ensures the utility’s liability of an accident is limited to only $10.8 billion. This is absurd, considering a serious reactor accident could cause as much as $600 billion of damage. Once again, the balance would likely have to be paid by us, the taxpayers.

5 – Has lead to increased cancer cases:

Nuclear supporters are completely wrong in believing that radiation levels near reactors are “safe”. What they do not know is that these level are only “safe” for healthy, white men. Children, who are more prone to cancer from radiation, are not even considered.

We have also been misled about how safe it really is to “dispose” of all this radioactive waste. There is no scientific proof to show where the safest place to dump the waste is. And more nuclear plants would make the problem worse. There are only so many “safe” storage facilities. Any additional waste would have to be either burned or dumped in landfills – leading to air and water pollution.

6 – Nuclear technology sets the stage for atomic weapons:

A country’s national security always feels at threat when extremist countries start harnessing nuclear power. Just think about Israel attacking Syria’s so-called nuclear site back in 2007, and how uneasy America was when Iran was developing its own nuclear program. Nuclear power sets the stage for the production of atomic bombs, so as long the number of reactors increases, the likelihood of terrorists getting their hands on nuclear weapons increases.

7 – There are cleaner alternatives:

There already so many better, cheaper, “greener’ ways to produce electricity today, that we are surprised nuclear power is still invested in so heavily. Why not spend those billions of dollars building more wind farms and solar power stations instead, and invest more in the technological advancement of these renewable energies?

But why wait for the country to start looking at renewable energy more seriously, when you can get involved yourself? Many households have discovered how to make their own solar and wind power and become more energy efficient. It is rather simple and inexpensive to do – all it takes is your willingness to learn and take action.

Posted on 26 September '09, under Education.