Energía Nuclear

The Benefits of Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is the world's largest source of emission-free energy. The use of nuclear energy in place of other energy sources helps to keep the air clean. Nuclear energy is the most eco-efficient of all energy sources because it produces the most electricity relative to its environmental impact.

Nuclear power plants were responsible for nearly half of the total voluntary reductions in greenhouse gas emissions reported by U.S. companies in 1998, the Energy Information Administration reported on January 4, 2000. Between 1973 and 2000, nuclear generation avoided the emission of 66.1 million tons of sulfur dioxide and 33.6 million tons of nitrogen oxides.

How do nuclear power plants reduce emissions?

The U.S. Clean Air Act standards assume nuclear energy. The U.S. Clean Air Act of 1970 and related regulations set federally mandated limits on the emission of certain pollutants for states and regions of the country. The percent actually varies from state to state, with many states in "non-attainment"

Nuclear plants help regions meet air pollution standards. Nuclear plants also reduce the cost of air pollution control for emitting facilities. If electricity generation sources that emit harmful gases were to replace nuclear, these states would produce an additional 131,867 tons, even if their emission rate meets the level required by the SIP Call Rule.

Environmental benefits

nuclear energy has perhaps the lowest impact on the environment especially in relation to kilowatts produced because nuclear plants do not emit harmful gases. There are no significant adverse effects to water, land, habitat, species, and air resources.Nuclear energy is an emission-free energy source because it does not burn anything to produce electricity. the nuclear energy industry is the only industry established since the industrial revolution that has managed and accounted for all of its waste, preventing adverse impacts to the environment.

Nuclear power also provides water quality and aquatic life conservation. This water, used for cooling, never comes in contact with radioactive materials. Because the areas around nuclear power plants and their cooling ponds are so clean, they are often developed as wetlands that provide nesting areas for waterfowl and other birds, new habitats for fish, and the preservation of other wildlife as well as trees, flowers, and grasses. Many energy companies have created special nature parks or wildlife sanctuaries on plant sites.

Nuclear power plants provide land and habitat preservation. Because nuclear power plants produce a large amount of electricity in a relatively small space, they require significantly less land for operation than all other energy sources. For instance, solar and wind farms must occupy substantially more land, and must be sited in geographically unpopulated areas far from energy demand. Also, uranium is a concentrated, low-volume fuel source requiring few incursions into the land for extraction or transport.

Economic Benefits of Nuclear Power

Nuclear power plants provide low-cost, predictable power at stable prices and are essential in maintaining the reliability of the U.S. electric power system. Nuclear power is a major national energy source.

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