# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Nuclear Chain Reaction | Bomb Grade Uranium | Natural Uranium

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For a nuclear chain reaction to make a nuclear explosion we need bomb grade Uranium. Nuclear power plants use nearly natural uranium which cannot possibly explode.

# data[].attributes.body
Myth-In our area about 60%of our energy comes from nuclear power

Out of the 11 nuclear reactors in illinois it produces 50.1% of of the state's electricity

But the 11 nuclear reactors produce 89% of the states electricity.

chrome-extension://ecnphlgnajanjnkcmbpancdjoidceilk/content/web/viewer.html?file=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nei.org%2FCorporateSite%2Fmedia%2Ffilefolder%2FBackgrounders%2FFact-Sheets%2FState%2520Fact%2520Sheets%2FIllinois-State-Fact-Sheet.pdf%3Fext%3D.pdf

# data[].attributes.body
Myth- There is a very small and limited supply of uranium on planet earth

Uranium is a relatively common metal found in rocks, under the seawater, and in the earth’s crust. Most of the Uranium has not been discovered yet roughly 10.5 metric tons of it estimating 230 years of use at our current rate of consumption. New technologies could also increase the uranium supply by new extraction technologies allowing us to extract from seawater increasing our supply. That saying it all depends on how us humans use the material itself because we will eventually run out of it, but not for awhile.

http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/uranium-resources/supply-of-uranium.aspx

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-long-will-global-uranium-deposits-last/

http://www.daretothink.org/numbers-not-adjectives/how-long-will-our-supplies-of-uranium-and-thorium-last/

# data[].attributes.body
Myth - Nuclear power plants are targets for terrorism.

President Bush said that U.S. forces “found diagrams of American nuclear power plants” in al-Qaeda materials in Afghanistan. An al-Qaeda training manual lists nuclear plants as among the best targets for spreading fear in the United States.

They are not targets for terrorism yet, but these nuclear power plants have high security for these attacks.

The event of 9/11 made the spotlight for nuclear security. And now the NRC has better security for these nuclear plants, so we are prepared for an attack like so.

The nuclear energy industry is one of the few industries with a security program regulated by the federal government.

http://www.cfr.org/homeland-security/targets-terrorism-nuclear-facilities/p10213

http://www.ucsusa.org/nuclear-power/nuclear-plant-security#.WPYi-rgrK01

https://www.nei.org/Master-Document-Folder/Backgrounders/Fact-Sheets/Nuclear-Power-Plant-Security-and-Access-Control

# data[].attributes.body
Myth: Nuclear power plants emit higher amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere than fossil fuel powered plants.

Between 2000 and 2009, 64 gigatons of CO2 of pollution was prevented because we used nuclear energy instead of fossil fuels. Natural gas causes about 40% more deaths per unit electric energy produced. Nuclear energy has prevented 1.8 million deaths between 1971-2009 because it is much cleaner than fossil fuels.

According to NASA, if nuclear energy never existed, the climate change we face now would be far worse because all the energy that is used for nuclear energy now would have been fossil fuels. Between 1971-2009 nuclear energy has prevented 15 times more emissions than it has produced. 64 gigatons of CO2 has been prevented which is the equivalent of coal emissions from the past 35 years.

Nuclear power plants give off much less emissions than coal when they are being burned at similar temperatures. Nuclear energy emits 73 million tons of CO2 while providing 2500 TWh of electricity, coal emits 2236 million tons of CO2 while proving the same 2500 TWh of electricity. Emissions from hydro, solar and wind power is similar to nuclear energy, while fossil fuels cause way more greenhouse gas emissions.

http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2013/04/15/fossil-fuels-do-far-more-harm-than-nuclear-power/

https://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/briefs/kharecha_02/

http://www.world-nuclear.org/nuclear-basics/greenhouse-gas-emissions-avoided.aspx

# data[].attributes.body
Myth- 1 pound of uranium has the same energy efficiency as 50 tons of coal.
Uranium is much more energy efficient than coal because 1 pound of uranium is equal to 16,000 pounds of coal.
https://www.euronuclear.org/info/encyclopedia/f/fuelcomparison.htm
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/finding-fissile-fuel/
https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=667&t=2

# data[].attributes.body
Fact- Nuclear “waste” is in constant motion around this country on trains and trucks.

About 20 million consignments of all sizes containing radioactive materials are routinely transported worldwide annually on public roads, railways and ships.

They transport materials between different facilities through areas outside of the facilities.

They use a sturdy container that shields radioactivity to transport the nuclear waste from place to place. The container is called a cask. They are made to withstand storms and other obstacles that get thrown at them.

New facilities are continuing to be made which means that they are going to need a way to get them their which is one reason why they are constantly transporting nuclear waste.

http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/transport-of-nuclear-materials/transport-of-radioactive-materials.aspx

http://www.nuclearconnect.org/know-nuclear/technology/nuclear-waste

https://www.nrc.gov/waste/spent-fuel-transp.html

# data[].attributes.body
Myth- Using and PRODUCING is less expensive than using coal or oil.

Nuclear power is more expensive to build and produce than it is to use. In 2012, oil costs about 23.0 kWH while nuclear energy costs 3.0 kWH.
So, nuclear power is a lot cheaper to use, but more expensive to build and produce than it is to use coal or oil.

http://joelnuclearpower.weebly.com/uploads/2/7/2/1/27219371/2896388_orig.png
http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/economic-aspects/economics-of-nuclear-power.aspx
http://alternativeenergy.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=001269

# data[].attributes.body
Nuclear power plants in the US cannot explode.

Fact-Nuclear power plants in the US cannot explode, because they are made out of naturally-occurring Uranium. This is the wrong kind of Uranium; it is not a natural explosive and therefore cannot explode. The concentration of Uranium has to be increased to at least 90% before you produce enough immediate fission to make an explosion possible.

http://www.hiroshimasyndrome.com/the-uranium-explosive-myth.html
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/what-is-the-difference-between-the-nuclear-material-in-a-bomb-versus-a-reactor/

# data[].attributes.body
Myth-  Currently in the US there are 10 nuclear power plants in operation today

There are actually 61 nuclear power plants with 99 nuclear reactors and in 30 states in the US today. Out of these 61 nuclear power plants, 35 have two or more reactors.

The largest nuclear power plant is Palo Verde in Arizona and it has three reactors. The R. E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant in New York is the smallest nuclear plant, and it has one reactor.  There are four new nuclear reactors under construction. Vogtle Units 3 and 4 in Georgia and Virgil C. Summer 2 and 3 in South Carolina.

https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=207&t=3

https://www.americangeosciences.org/critical-issues/faq/what-status-us-nuclear-industry

https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/map-power-reactors.html

# data[].attributes.body
Myth- Fuel in a standard reactor has enough atomic bomb type material that an explosion could occur if not handled properly

Nuclear reactors cannot have the same amount of exploding material as an atomic bomb, although it can explode the blast wouldn't be as powerful by a long shot.

With a bunch of powerful chemicals splitting such as uranium , there is less and less room inside of t-he reactor and f the chemicals aren't handled well, thing could take a turn for the worst.

The uranium absorbs the neutrons, and doesn't split the first time it absorbs neutrons, but after a while it splits and takes up more space.

The build up in the reactor wouldn't come close to the same power as an atomic bomb.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/what-is-the-difference-between-the-nuclear-material-in-a-bomb-versus-a-reactor/

# data[].attributes.body
Fact- Most Americans support the use of nuclear energy in this country.

A survey was taken in 2016 during the presidential election, and the results state that 60% of Clinton supporters and 75 % of trump supporters state that they support nuclear energy. The survey also states that 84% think that nuclear energy should be important in the future and  82 percent agree we should take advantage of all low-carbon energy sources and this includes nuclear, and  hydroelectric power

Today, nuclear power plants account for 11% of global electricity generation with about 80% of that installed capacity being in OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries). All of this capacity is nuclear fission. Nuclear energy, through fission, can release 1 million times more energy per atom than fossil fuels.

https://www.nei.org/Knowledge-Center/Public-Opinion

https://www.nei.org/News-Media/News/News-Archives/Polls-Show-Continued-Support-For-Nuclear-Energy

http://www.gallup.com/poll/182180/support-nuclear-energy.aspx

# data[].attributes.body
Fact- The only air pollutant that is given off by the production of nuclear energy is steam.

Nuclear power plants actually don't emit any greenhouse gases except for water or any other emissions. This is because nuclear power plants generate heat from fission instead of burning fuel. The smoke being released from the smoke stacks is just steam from the heat created by the condensation of steam coming from the turbines, and it is completely safe and is not radioactive.

http://www.vnsafety.eu/doc.php?nd=o59&tid=59&lg=1&docid=86&site=1

https://www.nei.org/Issues-Policy/Protecting-the-Environment/Clean-Air

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

# data[].attributes.body
Myth -
Yucca Mountain is the only operating long term storage solution site for used nuclear waste in this country currently in operation.

Myth because the Yucca Mountain is no longer in use. It was approved by the Congress in 2002, but Federal Funding for the site ended in 2011 under the Obama Administration.

The metal canisters that are currently holding the radiation did not receive multiple tests to see how the metal would react to certain weather conditions. The canisters could easily corrode and release the nuclear waste into our environment.

http://ieer.org/resource/commentary/yucca-mountain/

http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/nuclear_power/2013/01/nuclear_waste_storage_why_did_yucca_mountain_fail_and_what_next.html

# data[].attributes.body
Myth
Being exposed to radiation from nuclear energy will make a person glow green.

Nuclear Energy will not make a person glow green
Here is  Why:

Affects of nuclear radiation on the human body

It can directly kill human cells, and also it can cause mutations to DNA
Nuclear Radiation is mostly fatal causing bleeding and shedding to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract

http://www.livescience.com/13250-radiation-health-effects-japan-nuclear-reactor-cancer.html

# data[].attributes.body
Fact-
Spent or used uranium can be reprocessed or recycled to be used again for energy production.

The United States does not recycle and reuse Uranium because Jimmy Carter in 1977 banned the US from reusing reprocessed Uranium.  As it could be used to remake Nuclear weapons and it is not cost-effective. But as a whole the world does because they think it is a valuable asset and not just waste.

http://archive.larouchepac.com/node/14720
http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/uranium-resources/supply-of-uranium.aspx

https://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2014/10/01/why-doesnt-u-s-recycle-nuclear-fuel/#75ece34d390f

# data[].attributes.body
Fact-
Nuclear energy plants are safe for both the communities they are located in and the people who work at them.

With many layers of physical security, together with high levels of operational performance, protect plant workers, the public and the environment. These power plants are very well designed and made to not release any radiation or chemicals.

No member of the public has ever been injured or killed in the entire 50-year history of commercial nuclear power in the U.S.

https://www.nei.org/Issues-Policy/Safety-and-Security

http://www.nuclearconnect.org/know-nuclear/talking-nuclear/top-10-myths-about-nuclear-energy

http://nuclearinfo.net/Nuclearpower/WebHomeSafetyOfNuclearPowerPlants

# data[].attributes.body
Fact- Nuclear energy is not as efficient as renewable energy.

Although nuclear energy may produce more energy in a short period of time, in the long run it is not as efficient.  Nuclear power plants are very costly and take time to construct and they can only be in use for about 40-60 years then they are decommissioned.   A wind turbine (Renewable energy source) can go on and on forever without having to maintain and watch it everyday and it can last for longer periods of time so in the long run it is cheaper.

http://energypost.eu/renewable-energy-versus-nuclear-dispelling-myths/

http://energyrealityproject.com/lets-run-the-numbers-nuclear-energy-vs-wind-and-solar/

http://large.stanford.edu/courses/2012/ph241/chowdhury2/

# data[].attributes.body
Myth- There is no safe dose exposure of radiation.

We are exposed to radiation in various forms everyday! In fact, there is not a safe dose exposure of radiation. One being radiation therapy. Doctors use radiation therapy, where they subject the patient to low doses of radiation in order to combat cancer. They use x-ray rays, gamma rays, electron beams, or protons in order to destroy or damage cancer cells. However, there is a chance that the treatment may damage the other healthy cells, but doctors take that into consideration when administering the radiation therapy. Some side affects may occur as well such as fatigue or maybe developing cancer again. It's a very low chance though.

https://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/radiation/radiation-therapy-guide/what-is-radiation-therapy.html

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/types/radiation-therapy/radiation-fact-sheet#q2

http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/how-cancer-treated/radiation-therapy/side-effects-radiation-therapy

# data[].attributes.body
Myth
Currently in the US we recycle our used uranium.

This statement is a because the US has actually banned recycling uranium. According to Forbes magazine in 1977 Jimmy Carter passes a law saying then instead of recycling the used fuel we bury it deep underground. Although countries like France and Great Britain did not participate in this act because they realized that used nuclear fuel is an asset.

According to Nei.org the US does not want to recycle used nuclear fuel because of the economic impact.  They say it will take a combination of recycling, advanced reactors, new federal policies and a  sustained financial investment. That is one of the reasons Jimmy Carter passed that law.

Another course told me how other countries that did not agree with Jimmy Carter decided to use a process called Purex. Which is a way to get used fuel back into the reactor. The problem with Purex is that there is a risk that process can be diverted to extract weapons grade plutonium. This prompted Jimmy carter to  ban Purex reprocessing in 1978

https://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2014/10/01/why-doesnt-u-s-recycle-nuclear-fuel/#34bcf672390f

https://www.nei.org/Issues-Policy/Used-Nuclear-Fuel-Management/Recycling-Used-Nuclear-Fuel

https://www.anl.gov/articles/nuclear-fuel-recycling-could-offer-plentiful-energy

# data[].attributes.body
Myth-Fuel in a standard reactor has enough atomic bomb type material that an explosion could occur if not managed properly.

In a reactor the goal is to absorb as many neutrons as are emitted.  The fission is highly controlled by U-238 and control rods. Additionally, the uranium isn't weapons grade material.  So an atomic explosion is impossible in a nuclear reactor.

An atomic bomb contains material that is basically pure fissile material
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/what-is-the-difference-between-the-nuclear-material-in-a-bomb-versus-a-reactor/

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwik0uusg6zTAhXm7oMKHWUBDAcQFghuMAw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnduk.org%2Fcampaigns%2Fnuclear-power%2Fitem%2Fdownload%2F45&usg=AFQjCNErZ--JUe4VBZ6CK0J8-R0f0_4cXQ

http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/outline-history-of-nuclear-energy.aspx