Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is the energy released during nuclear fission or fusion, especially when used to generate electricity. Nuclear power plants split uranium atoms inside a reactor in a process called fission. At a nuclear energy facility, the heat from fission is used to produce steam, which spins a turbine to generate electricity. Nuclear power produces close to 20% of the electricity in the US and about 20% worldwide. Some countries, France in particular, generate much more of their electricity through nuclear. Nuclear power is also used to manufacture radioisotopes which are then used to treat cancers and other health problems

A renewable energy source uses a limitless supply of fuel, whether wind, the sun or water. Nuclear energy is often called a sustainable energy source, because there is enough uranium in the world to fuel reactors for 100 years or more.

Nuclear power plants release radioactive material in extremely small levels that are regulated by the federal government. Nuclear power plants produce liquid wastes and radioactive gasses during normal operation. A plant has a tank designed to store gas and liquid radioactive materials that are generated during normal operation. The radioactive material is held for a period of time to allow the radioactivity level to decrease before being treated and released in a planned, monitored way. This keeps the amount of radioactive material in and releases low and well radioactive material within federal limits. Radiation releases that are not made above regulatory limits are reported to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and to the state where the facility is operating. During normal operations, very little radiation is released. Multiple independent studies have found that it has no health effects on the neighboring population. Radiation monitors surrounding the plant site provide real-time data on radiation levels. Additionally, radioactive materials that could cause radiation exposure near...