Nuclear Power

Nuclear power is generated by nuclear fission when sufficient amounts of uranium-235 and/or plutonium are confined to a small space, often in the presence of [Page 1531]a neutron moderator. The nuclear reactions produce heat, which is converted to kinetic energy by a steam turbine and then a generator for electricity. In 2005, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported more than 440 commercial nuclear power plants in the world, generating approximately 365 GW. Nuclear power proponents highlight the amount of electricity that can be generated with a relatively smaller carbon footprint (amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere) than coal or oil, but opponents argue that the uncertainties and risks associated with operating nuclear plants and disposing of spent nuclear material outweigh the benefits of nuclear-generated power.

In the United States, commercial nuclear power plants are regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (formerly the Atomic Energy Commission) and military nuclear power facilities by the Department of Energy. Other regulatory agencies and international organizations that address nuclear power are the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as an autonomous body within the United Nations and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Nuclear Energy Agency. In several countries, more than one regulatory agency addresses nuclear power issues depending on the aspect, such as production, transportation, military use, and civilian or public use.

Nuclear power provides about 10% to 17% of the world's electricity, with the highest percentage in France with 83.4% of all electric power in 2004 generated by nuclear power plants. Popular movements against nuclear power led to the halt of construction of new U.S. nuclear power plants in the early 1980s and severely limit or prohibit the use of nuclear power in Austria, Sweden, and Italy. However, many countries use nuclear power: for example, France, Japan, Russia, and China. The use of nuclear power involves several ethical and social issues relevant to the business community: operations and costs, risks to the environment and communities, and the proliferation of nuclear weapons.