Indian Point Evacuation Route. The signs are all over, but have you ever thought about them? They’re there because we live right by a major nuclear installation: the Indian Point power plant, just south of Peekskill. Those signs are there in case something goes wrong. And if you know about nuclear disasters, like Fukushima or Chernobyl, you know that a nuclear meltdown could turn much of Westchester into a wasteland.
But even though nuclear power can be dangerous, the fact is that since 1962, the plant has provided reliable power without any major incidents. However, the plant is set to close in the next six months - a source of great controversy. Is nuclear power really too dangerous to keep around? Or, in the age of global warming, is it one of the most efficient and eco-friendly sources of energy?
Nuclear energy is formed when atoms are split to release energy, which then produces steam to run electrical generator. In 2017, Indian Point generated approximately 10% of the state's electricity needs, and 25% of the electricity used in New York City and Westchester County. In an age when we are trying to become less reliant on carbon fuels, why would we shut down a nuclear plant? Below I describe the pros and cons of nuclear power, and leave it up to you to you to decide whether you think the benefits outweigh the risks.
Pros - There are many benefits to using nuclear power as opposed to other forms of energy.
Lower Pollution - Nuclear power plants release fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Indian Point’s two nuclear reactors generate over 2,000 MW (~20 billion kWh per year) of zero-emission electricity. In fact, the scientific evidence shows that if nuclear power was the main source of energy for the world, greenhouse gas emissions would be cut in half.
Lower Expenses - The material used to release nuclear energy, Uranium, is not very costly. Also, building and running nuclear power plants are economical compared to their lifespan and the amount of energy they generate. In fact, they can last for more than a half a century. Indian Point’s reactors were built in the 60s and 70s and recently recommissioned in 2013 and 2015.
Reliability - Nuclear power plants can run uninterrupted for years on end, allowing a constant source of energy. Other energy sources, such as wind and solar power depend on uncontrollable environmental conditions that would not impact nuclear power plants.
Decreased Reliance on Fossil Fuels – In one month, Indian Point produces more energy than all of the solar and wind power plants in the entire state produce in a year. Without the nuclear energy from Indian Point, and the inability of other renewable energy sources to fill the void, experts predict that its closure will actually lead to an increase in the consumption of cheaper high-emission fossil fuels.
Cons – Despite the many pros to using nuclear power, there are drawbacks that have caused people to consider shutting them down.
Environmental Impact - Uranium, the main element needed in the release of nuclear power, must be mined from the earth. This process has many environmental drawbacks because unlike the mining other minerals, such as gold, the mining of Uranium has not been perfected to minimize the environmental harm.
Radioactive Waste Disposal - Nuclear power also generates a radioactive waste product. While the waste is low level radioactive, it takes decades if not centuries for the waste to decay to safe levels of radioactivity. Even after decades of use, we have not come up with a really safe method of disposing of this waste.
Nuclear Accidents - While very rare, dangerous accidents at nuclear power plants have occurred - most notably in Belarus at Chernobyl and in Japan at Fukushima. During a nuclear “meltdown,” radioactive materials are released into the environment. This can cause cancer, other serious health problems, and in very high exposure areas, even death.
Nuclear power is an environmentally-friendly, cheap and reliable energy source. However, it does come with the possibility of serious environmental and health risks. But still, does Indian Point deserve to close? Where will we get our energy from? Is there a plan?