Nuclear Power Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Nuclear Power - Assignment Example to Cravens and Rhodes (2008), developing nuclear power will lead to low cost of power because uranium, which is the key raw material of nuclear energy does not commonly experience frequent price fluctuations as compared to other fossil fuels. Secondly, nuclear power does not witness frequent interruptions as compared to hydroelectric power and Mahaffey (2011), further stated that it could run for more than 700 days uninterrupted. Thirdly, developing nuclear energy leads to less environmental pollution because they have a minimal emission of greenhouse gases. According to Cravens and Rhodes (2008), the main disadvantages of developing nuclear power stems from safety concerns that are attributed to the raw materials used in the development process and even the waste or by products that originate from nuclear power plants. For example Cravens and Rhodes (2008), stated that uranium that is used in developing nuclear energy is unstable and therefore its mining , transportation, and even transformation is a dangerous process of which in case of an accident the consequences can be grave. Secondly, the waste products that result from nuclear energy development are usually radioactive and hence if they find their way to the surrounding environment they can pose serious dangers to the health of the people, animals, and plants. Thirdly, in case of an accident at a nuclear power plant the consequences are usually grave and they can last for many years. According to Mahaffey (2011), the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster is one of the worst nuclear disasters in the World’s history, which was caused by a fire explosion at the nuclear power plant that lead to deaths, injuries, and the emissions of large quantities of radioactive particles that spread wide across the region. The disaster is still fresh in the minds of many since its effects are still evident up to date because of various cancer cases and deformities that are attributed to the 20th century accident. Mahaffey