Nuclear Energy Is Beneficial to Society

My first argument is going to be rather short, simply making a case for nuclear energy. I will be more in depth when I respond to con's objections and refutations. Amount Nuclear energy represents the longest-lasting, uninterrupted source of power the world has. Fossil fuels are fast running out and renewables need backup generators to run when energy is not being created. "According to the NEA, identified uranium resources total 5.5 million metric tons, and an additional 10.5 million metric tons remain undiscovered - a roughly 230-year supply at today's consumption rate in total. Further exploration and improvements in extraction technology are likely to at least double this estimate over time. " Of current known reserves, that's 230 years. [1] On top of that, other sources of uranium (such as seawater) and more efficiently built power points could dramatically raise that already large number. ". .. fuel-recycling fast-breeder reactors, which generate more fuel than they consume, would use less than 1 percent of the uranium needed for current LWRs. " This means that these plants would run out of the current supply of uranium in 30000 years. [1] Even further, uranium is only one potential ore. Take thorium, for example. The Thorium Energy Alliance says, "There is enough thorium in the United States alone to power the country at its current energy level for over 10,000 years. " Further, protactinium, radium, polonium, lead, bismuth, and radon could all be used as well. [2][3] What this adds up to is a tremendous supply of energy not just for today, but for the unknown demands of tomorrow. Between the different ores (many have multiple isotopes), it may be so that, at current energy consumption, we could sustain ourselves for 1 million years on nuclear fission reactions alone. Nuclear energy clearly has much greater reserves than fossil fuels, and energy that is always available, unlike renewables. Efficiency Not only is the amount of nuclear energy enormous, the way it is used is more efficient than other forms of energy. For example, take power plant capacity factors. This considers actual energy production as a percentage of potential energy production at full capacity- "Nuclear energy facilities generate electricity 24/7 at an 86 percent capacity factor. This is more efficient than other types of energy - combined-cycle natural gas, with a 56 percent capacity factor; coal-fired at 55 percent; and wind at 31 percent. " In other words, nuclear power plants produce energy more of the time than other forms of energy. [4] Further, let's now consider cost. Nuclear energy, per unit of energy, is the cheapest energy option that the world has. ""Production costs at nuclear energy facilities in 2012 averaged 2.40 cents per kilowatt-hour, cheaper than coal (3.27 cents) and natural gas-fueled plants (3.40 cents). " It also costs much less the renewable energy sources. [4] Here is a picture of the range and median costs of four types of energy: [5] Nuclear energy is cheaper and more efficient that other forms of energy, as it has a greater capacity factor and lower per unit energy costs than than other forms of energy, both fossil fuels and renewable. Environment I'm sure my opponent will talk about this, and I'll have much more to say in the appropriate rounds, but I can make a positive argument here. Nuclear energy actually has very little effect on the environment. "Of all energy sources, nuclear energy has perhaps the lowest impact on the environment especially in relation to kilowatts produced because nuclear plants do not emit harmful gases, require a relatively small area, and effectively minimize or negate other impacts. In other words, nuclear energy is the most "ecologically efficient" of all energy sources because it produces the most electricity in relation to its minimal environmental impact. There are no significant adverse effects to water, land, habitat, species, and air resources. "[6] Further, the amount of waste that is produced is greatly reduced compared to fossil fuels. "Because uranium contains many thousands of times more energy per unit of weight than fossil fuels, the waste from a nuclear power station is very small in volume and is fully managed and extremely secure at the nuclear sites. " The small amount of waste can be stored safely in secure locations, and without harmful effect, unlike with fossil fuels. [7] Conclusion Overall, when considering the amount of nuclear energy the Earth has (potentially over 1 million years worth at current capacity), the capacity factor it has from producing energy more of the time (unlike often interrupted renewables), the lower cost of nuclear energy per unit of energy, and the lessened strains on the environment, it is clear that nuclear energy is a good choice for society. Sources [1]: . http://www.scientificamerican.com... [2]: . http://thoriumenergyalliance.com... [3]: . https://www.niehs.nih.gov... [4]: . http://www.nei.org... [5]: . http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org... [6]: . http://learn.fi.edu... [7]: . http://www.cna.ca...