Press Mention Hellbender Press March 31, 2004
SACE Referenced
Nuclear Power is NOT the Answer
In this mention
SACE published a paid sponsorship advertisement in Hellbender Press arguing that nuclear power is not a clean, safe, or economical energy solution. The piece critiques nuclear waste storage, safety risks including potential accidents at Plant Sequoyah near Chattanooga, and high costs, noting TVA's $1.8 billion restart of Browns Ferry Unit 1 contributes to the utility's massive debt and customer rate increases.
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Nuclear Power is NOT the Answer
Nuclear Power is NOT Clean
- All nuclear power plants produce nuclear waste and release radioactive contaminants and hazardous chemicals to the air, soil and water during normal, daily operations.
- Nuclear plants rely on highly polluting electricity from the power grid to operate essential systems.
- All reactors must be located next to large bodies of water to create steam to power the turbines and to cool the fuel rods in the reactor core to prevent meltdown. While substantial amounts of water are lost during the process, millions of gallons of water are also released into rivers and lakes at higher temperatures, creating thermal plumes that destroy the delicate balance.
Nuclear Power is N~~afe
- Radioactive spent fuel generated by nuclear power plants is highly toxic and remains radioactive for thousands and thousands of years.
- A reactor accident at one unit at Plant Sequoyah near Chattanooga could result in more than 29,000 deaths within one year of the accident and cost almost $100 billion.*
- Nuclear power reactors create plutonium during their operating cycle—plutonium from which nuclear bombs can be manufactured.
- Dangerous, highly radioactive spent nuclear fuel stored outside the reactors in casks or transported across the country presents an inviting terrorist target.
Nuclear Power is NOT Cheap
- When adjusted for total power production, nuclear power has been 18 times more expensive than wind power in terms of subsidies received over the first 25 years of either technology development.
- Tennessee Valley Authority's restart of the moth-balled Browns Ferry Unit 1 is estimated to cost $1.8 billion, adding to the massive $24 billion debt and contributing to a rate increase for customers.
- Government subsidies for the nuclear industry include research and development, production of uranium fuel and waste storage for thousands of years.
* U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs: Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations, Calculation of Reactor Accident Consequences (CRAC2) for U.S. Nuclear Power Plants (Health Effects and Costs), November 1, 1982.