“a Problem Exists”

Assignment 3: Persuasive Paper Part 1: “A Problem Exists”

Angel Pupo

Strayer University, ENG215

Prof. Eric Thompson

February 24, 2013

Assignment 3: Persuasive Paper Part 1: “A Problem Exists”

Should the U.S. build more nuclear power plants for an energy source?

The nuclear power plant history in United State is detailed by U.S.NRC (United States
Nuclear Regulatory Commission), where it says: [In] 1957 – Shipping port Atomic Power Station construction is completed at a cost of

$72,500,000. The country's first large-scale civilian atomic power plant started generating

electricity for commercial use on December 18, 1957. The plant, on the Ohio River

twenty-five miles northwest of Pittsburgh, was built in thirty-two months. It is "the

world's first full-scale atomic electric power plant devoted exclusively to peacetime

uses," (U.S.NRC, 2012, np).

Thesis statement: The U.S should build more nuclear power plants to meet the high

demand of electricity, the development of rules to avoid accidents in the power plants operations,

and create an action plan to address the problem of nuclear waste.

In the topic, “Should the U.S. build more nuclear power plants for an energy source,” it is

a controversial topic for different groups; those who are agree and those who aren’t. The

professors of Massachusetts Institute of Technology said;

“It has faith in nuclear power technology "is an important option for the United States

and the world to meet future energy needs without emitting carbon dioxide and other

atmospheric pollutants. By the other side, they present four unresolved problems: high

relative costs, perceived adverse safety, environmental and health effects; potential

Assignment 3: Persuasive Paper Part 1: “A Problem Exists”

security risks stemming from proliferation; and unresolved challenges in long term

management of nuclear wastes," (John D. & Ernest M. 2003, np).

The first problem, is the growing demand of electricity production. United States needs

more electricity production, to meet the high demand of electricity. By the big economic

infrastructure of United State, it is indispensable to explore a new ways to produce more

electricity. The EIA (U.S. Energy Information Administration) release the information, on

(December 5, 2012), the “U.S. electricity use in 2011 was more than 13 times greater than

electricity use in 1950” (np).

Electricity in modern life is vital, as eating every day. Many electronic devices are

used at homes for every family member; the stove, washer, dryer, toys, TV, water heater,

lighting, and the telephone. Electricity is indispensable for any family, either at home or

business. Electricity is so important that if you are missing it, just for a day, the communication

between member of families, would be gone, because in many cases, that communication depend

no more than a cell-phone.

The second problem is, the development of rules to avoid accidents in the power plants

operations. Development and implementation the some regulation or law, to avoid accidents in

nuclear plant operation. Accidents are caused by acts of nature or human error, resulting, in the

release of radioactive substances. The radioactive substance can produce diseases, deformities

Assignment 3: Persuasive Paper Part 1: “A Problem Exists”

in children, and even death. The terrible example is, the fatal accident occurred at Chernobyl –

April 26, 1986 - Soviet Union. The accidents occurred when aren’t applied the safety required

maintenance during the plant’s operations, and do not increase maintenance for old equipment,

(Richard L. R., 1993, np).

The thirst problem, is create an action plan to address the problem of nuclear waste.

Patrick Moore in Washington post says,” The waste came from nuclear reactions, would make

fourteen thousand tons of high level waste,” (Patrick, M., 2006, np). The EIA state; “The main

environmental concerns for nuclear power are radioactive wastes such as uranium mill tailings,

spent (used) reactor fuel, and other radioactive wastes. These materials can remain radioactive

and dangerous to human health for thousands of years,”(EIA, 2012, np).

In conclusion; U.S. should build more nuclear plants to meet growing electricity

demand. In this paper, there are three problems: the growing demand of electricity

production for the growing U.S. economy. The solution is to build more nuclear plants,

increasing electricity production. The second problem is how to build these plants with

extreme security, anticipating accidents and spills of radioactive substances. The last

problem is what to do with the waste produced in the plants? This waste can be recycled,

reducing the chances of contamination of the environment, (Patrick Moore, 2006).

Assignment 3: Persuasive Paper Part 1: “A Problem Exists”

Reference

• U.S.NRC (United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission) Page Last Reviewed/Updated Wednesday, September 19, 2012

http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/emerg-preparedness/history.html

• (John D.& Ernest M. 2003), “The future Nuclear Power”, Copyright © 2003–2009 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. All rights reserved. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02139-4307

http://web.mit.edu/nuclearpower/

• Article by Richard Lee Rhodes (1937), He is an American journalist. The article “Chernobyl” Except from Chapter 5, “A matter of Risk” from NUCLEAR RENEWAL (1993). Reprinted with permission of Penguin Books, USA. Copyright (c)1993. All rights reserved.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/reaction/readings/chernobyl.html

• Going Nuclear, A Green Makes the Case, By (Patrick Moore, 2006) Sunday, April 16, 2006, © 2006 The Washington Post Company

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/14/AR2006041401209_pf.html

U.S. (EIA) Energy Information Administration. Nuclear Power & the Environment, Nuclear Energy Produces Radioactive Waste.

http://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=nuclear_environment