By definition nuclear power is not a sustainable/renewable energy source. But we can also say that Nothing is sustainable: All energy sources will die. On that note, ‘green energy’ might be defined as energy produced with less destructive methods and providing a standard of living acceptable to the population.

As we know see sustainable may not be the best term to apply to nuclear. Regarding energy generation, sustainable carries an assumption of renewability of fuel within some element of timeliness. But let’s see some examples:

In France, nuclear is the primary fuel source. In the US, it is the fourth most prevalent fuel source at approximately 8% (behind petroleum – 40% of energy, coal – 23%, and natural gas – 22%,

When measured in kilowatt-hours, coal generated half the electricity in the United States. Nuclear electricity created roughly 19%, as did natural gas. Hydroelectric yielded 7% and petroleum accounted for 3% of the electricity.

Though not considered sustainable, in limited perspective, it can be considered a more green energy source because nuclear offers a dramatic savings in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when you compare it to petroleum and coal. Should any of these plants be in locations that are subject to cap-and-trade systems, they would be at a significant financial advantage as well because nuclear power generators would not have to buy additional emissions credits, as fossil fuel powered plants would.

But my opinion is this:

Nuclear power is not the right answer! Green or not it is a non renewable energy source. There are plenty of other sources of energy that we should invest into and explore, no matter the cost and effort, we need to find the answers in the elements around and beneath. Nuclear power may be around for a little longer but in the short term we need different solutions!

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One Response to “Nuclear Power As Sustainable Energy Source?”

1. Ken says:

   August 11, 2008 at 5:45 pm

   Agreed.
   Not only not renewable but looking at the cost and energy used to produce energy from nuclear power plants, it just does not add up. Numbers I have seen quote 3-5 times as much energy is used to build, maintain and decommission a plant than it will ever produce. So doing the math, nuclear is not the right thing to do!