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What do you think? Does Nuclear power get a bad rap for good cause?

Or is it a fairly safe operation?

Just wondering?

Relevant facts.

The physics behind nuclear power developed mainly in the 1940s and 50s.

The first commercial nuclear power programme began with Calder Hall in

Cumbria in 1956. This power station is still operating today as part of British

Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL).

Nuclear power was pursued because it was feared that demand for coal would

outstrip supply and imported oil supplies were considered to be uncertain after

the 1956 Suez crisis.

There are altogether about 430 power reactors operating around the world.

The greatest user is the United States of America, with over 100 reactors.

All the main industrial nations use nuclear power for electricity generation, with

the exception of Italy.

Electricity Generation Around the world

Nuclear energy provides 25 – 30 % of UK electricity, about 17% of electricity

world-wide and about 35% in Europe.

There are 35 reactors in the UK with a total net capacity of about 13,000 MW.

(That is, they can produce enough electricity to power a 1 kilowatt electric fire in

13 million homes.)

Nuclear power provides 35% of electricity in Germany

Nuclear power provides 75% of electricity in France

Nuclear power provides 35% of electricity in Switzerland

Nuclear power provides 48% of electricity in Sweden

Nuclear power provides 50% of electricity in Scotland

Nuclear power provides 35% of electricity in Japan.

Nuclear power provides 20% of electricity in America

In addition, 5% of the electricity used in the UK (15% of that used in the

SouthEast) is produced by nuclear reactors in France and imported via a cable

link.

Nuclear powered energy is, and will increasingly become, a necessity.

Nuclear power can be used for good or evil. Making sure that the designs emphasize the need for respect of what could go wrong means tha some regions of the world should have transmission lines bringing electricity to them because the areas that are prone to earthquakes should be singled out for those reasons.

Too bad that there are those that would use the benefits of nuclear technology to the detriment of the world because they want to feel a part of the power structure that is based on war efforts. No matter what the reason nuclear proliferation of weapons is not right.