Nuclear power, with its radioactive waste production, presents unique environmental challenges for waste management. Discuss the two most critical considerations required to safely manage this type of waste
What will be an ideal response?
First, nuclear power plants primarily generate high-level radioactive wastes, mostly in the form of spent fuel rods. With over 100 nuclear power plants in the United States, these sites are spread over vast regions of the country. They are currently the storage site for their own spent fuel rods: initially in wet storage (to dissipate the extreme heat) and finally in stainless steel casks for dry, longer-term storage. Because spent fuel rods still contain high levels of radioactive material, this waste must be kept away from groundwater, soil, humans, and the environment, even in the short term. Second, because the very long half-life of the radioactive isotopes making up the spent fuel, the safe storage and management requirements are much more comprehensive than on-site storage will allow. Permanent long-term storage continues to be an issue for the United States, as there has not been a central site licensed for this high-level radioactive waste. Although Yucca Mountain, Nevada was proposed, the uncertainties presented by this site, and the nearby community concerns, have resulted in the government's failure to successfully identify a site that will meet all the criteria necessary for permanent storage.
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a. ?ozone b. ?carbon monoxide c. ?sulfur dioxide d. ?chlorofluorocarbons e. ?volatile organic compounds
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A) energy production facilities are not located near consumers B) technological advances have not been made in the last 30 years to meet our energy needs C) the energy sources are generally unavailable D) the startup costs may be high E) long-term maintenance costs are much higher than those for fossil fuels