Group One Why I Still Support Nuclear Power Even After Fukushima Tucker

Energy has been a controversial topic in our country for many decades. The task of deciding which type of energy has been long debated going back and forth between one resource and another. Issues arise between sides that attempt to decide which supply has the perfect balance of safety, longevity, and the ability to supply a considerable amount of power for the future. One such supply that is being suggested is nuclear power. This type of energy is highly controversial due to the risk of radiation yet, it has many proponents because of its durability and necessity of a very small quantity. Due to many other countries developing nuclear power it has become urgent that the United States develop sustainable nuclear refineries. The United States must develop nuclear power because of the ability for the nuclear power to last over a long time, the small quantity of resources it consumes, and that the United States must develop nuclear power in order to maintain itself as a world power. It is not easy being a supporter of nuclear energy. There are many risks involved, including the current crisis in Japan. Even with this danger there are plenty of risks and dangers involved with other types of energy. For example; there have been many oil pipeline explosions, mine collapses and dam failures, all of these have been detrimental to populated areas. With all energy sources there are risks, which may propose the question of; Why are we dealing with nuclear energy? The answer to this lies in the fact that we have no better alternatives. If we plan on maintaining the way we live we will need to harness nuclear energy safely. Uranium fuel rods weighing six ounces which sit in core reactors for five years can fuel the city of San Francisco for the five years that they exist there! Environmentalists say in the right way Uranium can be safer because of the fact that no land or mines will be harmed in this process. Some may offer counter arguments of natural gas which can be harvested at the detriment

of air and water. Other renewable resources can also be used to harness energy such as hydro, solar, and wind but these processes do not yield enough energy to provide enough power to the ways we want to live. To institute this kind of energy more, a lesser amount of energy would be produced that what we already produce. It will be impossible to meet current market demands without the assistance of energy like nuclear. The US will be at a disadvantage is they do not develop this contemporary energy due to the sixty-five reactors under construction in the world. The US will certainly be at a disadvantage and behind the technological curve for the first time in centuries. We have become a world leader and power because of the ability of our people to take risks in order to provide for our people. If the United States does not take charge of this situation, we will become inferior to other nations. If we do not take action our children and grandchildren will be facing the consequences of living in an insecure country without security of being a world power. Overall, the development of maintainable nuclear power is inevitability for the United States because of its longevity, the lack of consuming a large amount, and the fact that the United States must maintain itself as a world power. Without this resource and technology it could be expected that The United States could expect a rapid decline in everyday life, leading to crisis in not just our country but others. Due to the high levels of controversy dealing with this topic one must be highly motivated to take action in these processes and become an advocate for nuclear energy. As Winston Churchill once said, To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often; are word that the United States must embrace if they are to succeed.