What are the pros and cons of nuclear power?

Answer by  penrose (235)

Modern nuclear reactors are much safer than their predecesessors... The oldest ones are potentially dangerous and should be decommissioned paving the way for new safe ones. Vigilance must be used throughout the process, but nuclear can be very safe and significantly less dangerous overall than the alternatives like coal.

Answer by  embockjr (709)

Except for the question about spent fuel storage, nuclear power is generally less polluting to the environment than coal and gas based energy production. Greenhouse gases are not emitted with nuclear power. Cooling water requirements for nuclear power, as well as spent fuel disposal are the main drawbacks.

Answer by  Emr (698)

Nuclear power can create large amounts of energy that doesn't require creation of greenhouse gases. However, many safeguards must be kept in place to prevent radioactivity leaking like Chernobyl.

Answer by  somerset (801)

Nuclear power is clean power. The danger of leakage would be a big concern, but the technology is so advanced that these days the danger is relatively small. Besides, everything carries with it something good and bad. I think we have been frightened just a bit into distrusting nuclear power.