Surprise! Nuclear Plants Are All Around You
By: Richard Monk
Given all the talk about energy concerns, few mention nuclear power as an alternative. It already provides a chunk of our energy needs, though most do not realize this fact.
Surprise! Nuclear Plants Are All Around You
Nuclear energy is one of those hot button issues that get peoples dander up. Ambivalence rarely seems to be an option. You are either in favor of using it as a power production resource or you are not.
The odd thing, however, is that most people only argue in the abstract. Those in favor argue about the energy produced and getting off oil. Those against it argue about the risks in light of the disaster at Chernobyl, the risk of terrorist attacks and what to do with the radioactive waste.
Interestingly, nobody seems to bring up the fact that nuclear energy is used in many locations in the United States, often just outside of major cities. For instance, the San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant hangs over the ocean about 30 minutes north of San Diego and 45 minutes south of Los Angeles. This area is also prone to earthquakes with “the big one” prophesized to hit every five years or so. Get into an argument, for or against, in Los Angeles or San Diego and not one person will mention the plant.
It is easy to argue about nuclear power when the plants are not located near your home. After all, Chernobyl is a long way off in a country most have never even heard of. Still, most would be surprised to learn that there are so many plants in the United States that a similar meltdown would be devastating.
Determining what states use nuclear power can be difficult. Since power generation is shared across state lines, it is reasonably to assume a vast majority of states, if not all, use nuclear power to some extent.
What we can define, however, is which states have nuclear power plants located within their borders. There are currently thirty-one states that have power plants in one form or another. They are:
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin.
Obviously, this means there are 28 states that don’t have nuclear power plants. While that may make you feel comfortable, keep in mind that the devastation caused by a meltdown is primarily a result of radiation shooting up into the atmosphere and being carried off by winds. In the case of Chernobyl, even countries such as the U.K. received radiation fallout.
Richard Monk is with FactsMonk.com - a site with facts about everything. Visit us to read more about energy facts.