Nuclear Power has produced more controversy than any other energy technology. Because nuclear reactors are fueled by and produce highly radioactive material, the risks they pose are more apparent. "Two major accidents, at Three Mile Island in 1979 and Chernobyl in 1986, have increased public concern about nuclear power safety"(1).
             The most evident argument for Pro Nuclear Power deals with economics. Nuclear power plants have saved billions of dollars. Throughout the world, nuclear power has made us less dependent on oil and fuel. "America's 103 nuclear power plants provide 20 percent of our electricity in a manner that produces no harmful air pollution" (2). Energy shortages are becoming a bigger problem all around the country. Without these nuclear power plants, the cost of electricity would increase significantly. Some countries even rely on no more than nuclear power. We would also decrease the amount of pollution considerably, which is always helpful, because of the problems we face. Another supporting argument would be that "waste can be stored in isolated areas underground where it will cause no harm to the environment, and can be removed later after Radioactivity has gone down" (2). There is also less waste produced by nuclear power than there is by the burning of fossil fuels. "There is enough available Uranium to run the current nuclear power plants for well over 100 years, and other types of nuclear fuel to use well beyond that"(3).
             On the other hand, there are many downfalls to using nuclear power. Even with the energy problems we have to face, there are safer ways of dealing with this problem. "Nuclear plants are, on the average, only 75% to 80% reliable" (4). The cost to run the nuclear power plants is also rising, and that doesn't even include all the money the government is spending on research. The waste produced has to be stored for over 100 years, and there is the possibility of it soaking into the ground or b...