Page - 89 - in Water, Energy, and Environment - A Primer

use of nuclear power. They point to the unemployment that results when energy is scarce or very costly, and to the poor living conditions of a good part of the world, and ask how can wedeny the benefits of nuclear electricity to these people. They also point to the risks of coal mining and coal burning, oil spills, the CO2 problem from combustion of fossil fuels, and suggest that nuclear power, even with its risks, may be a reasonable choice in that context. On the other hand, and exhibiting equal conviction and sincerity, are those who see viable alternatives to nuclear power, who question the feasibility and practicality of nuclear power for capital-poor nationswithout adequate roads, let alone power grids, who see any move toward a plutonium economy as a step down the road to nuclearwar,whoquestion the legacy a nuclear economywould leave for future generations, andwho question the impact of human fallibility on the safe operation of the nuclear fuel cycle. 7.1.3 Issues Asapersoncommittedtoadvancingouruseofrenewableenergy, I have devotedmost ofmy professional career to helpingmake that possible. Nevertheless, there are realities about how fast that can come about, and how to meet people’s needs for electricity while that transition takes place. Nuclear power is a possible option for meeting that need, as well as a long-term, carbon-free energy source. The need for energy during the transition period is also an argument put forth for continued use of fossil fuels. As formypersonal views:while recognizingnuclear power’s positive attributes, I have been distressed about how the nuclear industry has presented this technology to the public and often been resistant to acknowledging legitimate concerns associated with a nuclear economy. The cost issue is front and centerwith power utilities, especially now that natural gas costs are low Nuclearpower 89