Chapter Eighteen 
Nuclear Energy and  
the Environment 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES        As one of the alternatives to fossil fuels, nuclear energy generates much controversy.  This section should foster your understanding of the lessons learned from accidents at nuclear power plants, how we might safely dispose of high-level radioactive materials, and what the future of nuclear power in the United States is likely to be.  ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE  - Does Nuclear Power Have a Future in the United States?       In 1993 the United States had 109 nuclear power plants in operation, producing 577 billion kilowatt hours of electricity.  This is almost twice as much as the next leading country, France, which generates 73% of its total electricity by nuclear power.  Why, then, is there still a question as to the future of nuclear power in the United States?  One reason is that the United States only generates 20% of its electricity from nuclear power.  No new reactors have been ordered since 1978, and 64 plants will be 20 years old (more than half the expected lifetime for nuclear plants) by 2000.  We are therefore a long way from predictions made in the 1970s that there would be 1000 large nuclear facilities in the United States by the beginning of the next century.       Nuclear power has been stalled in the United States because growth in energy demand has slowed since the 1970s and conservation and the use of alternative energy sources since then has exceeded expectations.  At the same time, the cost of construction of nuclear power plants and the time required to complete them have increased at least two to three times, discouraging power utilities from becoming involved in new projects.  Several factors have contributed to these conditions, including concern over safety in the wake of the accident at Three Mile Island, new safety regulations, concern over higher prices and poor management.         Public opinion about nuclear power in the United States is perceived as negative by many, primarily because of concerns about safety, disposal of radioactive wastes, and proliferation of raw materials that could be used to manufacture nuclear weapons.  A 1992 poll found that 65% of the public opposes construction of new reactors.       The possibility that carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use are causing global warming has given new energy to the proponents of nuclear power.  Developing countries are responsible for an increasing share of the world's carbon dioxide emissions--from 7% in 1970 to 28% in 1987--and the levels are increasing at 6% to 7% per year.  In order for nuclear power to economically competitive with coal (the most common energy source in developing countries), coal prices would have to double and the cost of nuclear power would have to decrease by half.    FAQs . .