Nuclear energy is any nuclear technology designed to obtain power that can be utilised from radioactive nuclei through atomic reactions. The only method that is utilised currently is through radioactive fission although other methods might be used one day. The power is obtained through splitting atoms in a radioactive reactor. The electricity that is generated is through an electric power plant with turbines that are powered by steam from a reactor by extreme heat. Currently there are over 104 nuclear reactors across America and 4 Texas energy plants.
There are four nuclear stations in the Texas area alone. The power stations generate around 10% of power in the region. This is a concern for many because of the dangers associated with radioactive waste from power stations. In the first 10 months of 2009, Texas amassed 34.6 million megawatt-hours of power that was atomic.
Many residents believe that there are safer methods such as wind and solar energy rather than atomic. However authorities disagree and believe that there is not enough wind or solar power to generate enough electricity. There has been much debate and discussions over the usage of radioactive energy throughout America.
The project itself will lead to environmental problems as well as potential terrorist threats. Officials believe that power sourced from wind and solar sources are not efficient enough or do not provide a cost efficient way to meet the city’s huge demands. A letter was written on June 19th, 2006 to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to construct two 1,358-MWe Advanced Boiling Water Reactors (ABWRs) at the South Texas Project site. The following year NRG Energy filed full application with the NRC to construct two Toshiba AWRs. This was the first application sent since 1979.
Residents are angered that the total cost of constructing these two reactors will be 10 billion dollars. This price is huge and will require a large amount of funding which might consist of resident taxes. Not only will this cost financially it will also add to climate change conditions.
If the economic conditions of a falling market carry on then it would not be the right decision to carry out building atomic power stations in the area. Investing in atomic power stations in this case would only add to the financial trouble of the Texas region. In 2008, the State was ranked 7th in atomic power and rank 5th in atomic generation. So whilst there remains concern the number of nuclear power plants is rising.
About the author: Jerry Dyess specializes in Texas Energy news and Texas Electricity prices.