The Right First Steps

 In the 2010 State of the Union speech, President mentioned the support of the use of nuclear power as a pillar of the United States’ path to sustainable energy production. Members of Congress of both aisles stood and applauded his support. On February 16, 2010 Obama revealed plans to issue government guaranteed loans to two new plants in Georgia. The two new plants will be the first nuclear plants built in the United States since the 1970s. I also support his decision to back nuclear power. If the United States wants to have an energy portfolio that is carbon free and free of foreign imports, then the United States must build more nuclear power plants.

       Here is a list of the benefits.

1.      Nuclear plants are safe. The incident at 3 Mile was contained because of the backup safety measures like the containment building. With improved technology of today, nuclear plants have a slim chance of an accident.

2.      Nuclear plants are secure. There has been no security related accident at a nuclear plant.

3.      Nuclear power is environmentally friendly. It emits no fumes. It is carbon free. That is a scientific fact. It has one of the lowest impacts on surrounding environment of any energy source.

4.      Nuclear waste can be dispose of safely. They can be placed back in the mines where they were extracted. Underground storage facilities like the Yuca Mountain facility have been shown to be safe. But the best way to deal with nuclear “waste” is to reprocess them.

There are other benefits not listed. I hope that the American people can overcome false fears and do what is necessary to keep this country of ours better for our children.