Nuclear Power Plants
By Logan Sprinkle
Chernobyl Disaster
On April 16th, 1986 a reactor exploded releasing more than 100 times the radiation level dropped from bombs in Hiroshima. This dramatically changed the world's opinion on nuclear reactors. 31 people died shortly after and thousands where expected to die from long term effects from the radiation in the air.
Positive Impacts
Social: Fission is the most energy for the least fuel with current technology.
Economic: Each year, the average nuclear plant generates approximately $470 million in economic output or value. This includes over $35 million in total labor income.
Cultural: Nuke's can be used in wars.
Environmental: They do not release carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, or nitrogen oxides.
Negative Impacts
Social: Irrational fear of all things nuclear.
Economic: A lot to pay for nuclear power.
Cultural: Could cause radiation and mutation.
Environmental: Heavy metals and salts build up in the water discharges.
Political Impacts
The effect f policy choices on balance of payments is frequently used as an argument to favor one option over another, on the basis that anything that reduces imports or increases exports is beneficial to the economy.