Evaluate the risks of nuclear power. Are we overly concerned or not concerned enough about nuclear accidents? Could an accident like Chernobyl or Fukushima happen in the United States?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The risks of nuclear power are primarily some type of loss-of-coolant accident and the release of radioactive materials into the environment, and the need to isolate radioactive wastes from humans and the environment.
As to whether or not we are overly concerned or not concerned enough, this is an opinion question that will depend on the individual's risk assessment. Some individuals will feel that we are too concerned, whereas others will feel that we are not concerned enough. A justification for one's opinion is important. Are the consequences of exposure to radiation too high? Are the human and environmental costs higher from coal?
Although the same exact accident that happened in Chernobyl or in Japan could not occur in the United States, of course it is possible (and it has happened) that reactor operators respond poorly to events taking place within the reactor. It is possible for the material in the rod storage pools to be released to the environment in a way that would be similar to what occurred at Chernobyl because the pools are not within a containment building.