COMM 173 M.W 6:30 I.

INTRO

Persuasive Speech with Visual Aid The United States should go nuclear

Laura Wake-Ramos Due: Mon 7.25.2011

Im sure you recognize and use many of these objects displayed here daily. Id be surprised if anyone would be able to answer this question: What do all of these objects have in common? ANSWER: They are all derived from crude oil. (**Make a chart to hang over table explaining why each is from petroleum**) I believe this display clearly illustrates our oil dependency today. We LOVE petroleum. We WORSHIP it. Petroleum is the heart of the worlds economy. Every day, the world produces 91 million barrels. 91 million barrels per day! And the United States consumes nearly of the worlds production (20 million barrels/day). (**Oil Jitters Chart) Of the worlds production. Our own demand and consumption drastically exceeds our own production. We have already experienced price shocks since 2008, when drivers started paying more than $3 per gallon. (**Oil Jitters Chart) However, experts predict to expect even greater shocks in the near future, when oil-producing nations use more and more of their own oil, and the energy demand rises to 50% by 2030. There must be a way to avoid giving our money to oil-rich nations. There must be a way to produce energy without limits, unlike wind and solar power, which is limited by geography and land (**pictures of plants). There must be a way to use energy just as efficiently as petroleum fuel. Tonight, I will be informing you that there is a way. My goals for tonight will be: A. To discuss the issues of oil dependency B. To compare the advantages of nuclear power to fossil fuels and other renewable energy sources C. To encourage that nuclear energy is the best option for the United States

II. PROBLEM I will briefly discuss how our strong foreign oil dependence can harm our national security. According to Senator John McCain in CNN interview, When we buy foreign oil, we are enriching some of our worst enemies. (CNN) In 2008, the United States imported oil from 10 countries currently on the State Departments Travel Warning List. This is a list of countries that have longterm, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. (Dependence is a dangerous habit). In that same year, we paid $150 billion to these kinds of nations.

COMM 173 M.W 6:30

Persuasive Speech with Visual Aid The United States should go nuclear

Laura Wake-Ramos Due: Mon 7.25.2011

Secondly, depending on foreign oil makes us vulnerable to price shocks, depending our relation with these countries, and their relations with other countries. We have been struggling with this issue since the 70s. For example, following the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Arab OPEC nations launched an oil embargo to retaliate against the United States and other Israeli allies. This caused the international price of a barrel of oil to quadruple over night, and removed 4 million barrels each day. How do we use all this oil anyways? One barrel (1bbls) of refined crude oil produces 19gal of finished motor gasoline, 10gal of diesel, as well as other petroleum products to produce energy. Many people across the United States use propane to heat their homes (EIA Energy Kids).

II. COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR POWER Now, I will discuss the many advantages of nuclear power over crude oil and other means of producing energy. Pollution: Firstly, the reaction process does not produce air pollution or carbon dioxide while operating. Most of the waste produced has relatively low-level of radioactivity, and can safely be stored. Availability: Secondly, nuclear energy is storable and available when needed, not only when the sun is shining or when the wind is blowing. Uranium, the element undergoing fusion and fission, is a common metal found in rocks all over the world. [Safety: Thirdly, the risk of a nuclear meltdown is considered to be very small due to advanced safety systems. Containment vessels are designed to withstand extreme weather event and earthquakes. Also, each plant has increased security to prevent illicit trafficking of materials.] Independence: Fourthly, we wouldnt need to import as much uranium, as much as we import oil. In 2008, the U.S. produced 8% of its uranium for energy. In contrast, the U.S. only contains about 2% of the worlds oil supply. In 2008, the U.S. imported 92% from foreign countries, which we have had a history of good relationships. 41% from Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan. 37% from Australia and Canada. Efficiency: Finally, the energy produced is efficient. One uranium fuel pellet the size of the tip of a finger, contains the same amount of energy as 17,000 ft3 of natural gas, 1780lbs of coal, or 149gal of oil. III. CASE STUDY: FRANCE

COMM 173 M.W 6:30

Persuasive Speech with Visual Aid The United States should go nuclear

Laura Wake-Ramos Due: Mon 7.25.2011

As on now, only 20% of net electricity comes from nuclear power, and only 5 states generate over 50% of electricity from nuclear power (VT, CT, NJ, SC, and IL). France stands alone being the only country to break away from the fossil fuel trend. After the energy crisis of 1974, the French government decided to adopt nuclear energy as their long-term energy policy to diminish their reliance on oil and coal. Today, nuclear energy provides 39% of their total energy, and over 70% of their own electricity. No new nuclear plants have been ordered in the U.S. since 1979, because of the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl scare. However, according to Ambassador Jackie Wolcott, as U.S. Special Envoy for Nuclear Nonproliferation, many lessons have been learned from them and that todays new reactor designs are much safer than yesterdays.

IV. CONCLUSION The United States should be wary of the past, however not be consumed by fear. Developing the nuclear power industry has more benefits over oil: we would reduce our pollution, become independent energy consumers, save billions of dollars,