Abstract In this paper, the author examines the period of the presidency of George W. Bush and the policies regarding nuclearenergy propounded by the administration during that period. The paper specifically examines policies relating to nuclear weapons and the use of nuclear power as an energy source as opposed to carbon based fuels. The paper also discusses how US nuclearpolicies affected the US position and action on environmental and global warming issues.
From the Paper "Global investments in clean energy in 2007 are stated by Makower, Pernick and Wilder to have totaled approximately $148.4 billion including government R&D at $7.1 billion; corporate R&D and $9.8 billion as well as other investments including asset financing at $79.2 billion. (2008) A report entitled: "Nuclear Facts" relates that "new nuclear power plants are unlikely to provide a significant fraction of future U.S. needs for low-carbon energy." (2008) It is stated however, that nuclear plants already in existence "can compete favorably with fossil-fuel plants because they have relatively low operation, maintenance and fuel costs, and their excessive capital costs have long since been forcibly absorbed by ratepayers and bondholders." (Nuclear Facts, 2008) This report also relates the fact that expanding faster than nuclear power initiatives are renewable energy technologies."
Abstract This essay addresses the issue of nuclearenergy in relation to society's emerging need for a new source for electrical energy. First it discusses the generals of how nuclearenergy works, and then follows with the possible advantages of nuclearenergy over its main competitors. Finally, it is concludes that nuclearenergy should be expanded in the future, and that the dangerous stigma attached to it is largely unjustified.
From the Paper "The notion of harnessing the atom's power to provide energy for civilization is reasonably new. However, it was recognized early in the twentieth century that the forces holding the atom together, if released, could produce an unbelievable amount of energy. From Einstein's interpretation of the universe, matter itself possessed a direct relationship to energy; the subsequent discovery of fission laid the foundation for the notion of nuclear power. "In 1934, physicist Enrico Fermi conducted experiments in Rome that showed neutrons could split many kinds of atoms. The results surprised even Fermi himself. When he bombarded uranium with neutrons, he did not get the elements he expected. The elements were much lighter than uranium," (University of Missouri-Rolla). Clearly, this suggested that the mass was going somewhere--it was being converted into energy."
Abstract This paper discusses the future of nuclearenergy in Europe. It explores the need to expand nuclearenergy use by capitalizing upon new developments in nuclear fusion technology. The author identifies future developments. The paper concludes it is unlikely that solar energy will be sufficient to replace nuclearenergy and drive the much need economic growth.
From the Paper "The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) advised the European Union (EU) policymakers on the need to maintain the use of nuclear energy in Europe and to expand nuclear energy use by capitalizing upon new developments in ..."
Abstract This paper explains the variables that must be considered in the decision to develop nuclear power capability such as (1) the actual location of a nuclear power plant, (2) the question of security and (3) the compatibility of entering into a nuclear program within the context of the country's long-range energy plans, international policies and aspirations and their level of scientific and technical education. The author points out that the critical gap in plans to expand British civil nuclear programs, which is widely recognized both by promoters and opposers of nuclear power, is the problem of managing radioactive wastes. The paper relates that the French policy differs from from the British policy in that it has gone beyond the concept of "nuclear substitution", designed to diversify and stabilize energy-producing capacity, into a policy of "nuclear electrification" under which the growth of electricity consumption has been deliberately encouraged.
From the Paper "The lack of progress in the British industry reflects a number of fundamental differences between the two nations. One is relatively energy-rich while the other is energy-poor, and the insecurity experienced by the French has been much less marked on the other side of the Channel. On the contrary, the British have enjoyed a flexibility in energy options that is enviable. But beyond commercial questions, and beyond questions of energy supply and demand, lie the differences in institutional power and control and differences in political planning processes that expose the actions of the British industry to far more democratic scrutiny. The anti-nuclear lobby, though less volatile than its French equivalent, is stronger and more consistent. Faced with the luxury of choice, the decision-making process slows to the point of meandering and energy planning wallows in incoherence. This has two, sometimes, conflicting, consequences. Precipitate action on a major scale is checked, but the price of these checks may be slackening technical impetus and loss of commercial advantage."
Abstract This paper discusses the need for an energypolicy in the US that would encompass energy needs for both automotive and residential use.
The paper reveals that the United States,however, currently lacks a comprehensive long-term energypolicy that will accommodate future needs. The paper specifically focuses on electrical demand in the United States which comes primarily from coal fired and nuclear plants with wind and solar and water energy providing a small percentage of the power the U.S. consumes.
From the Paper "As energy needs in the United States grow at an exponential rate our energy policy and infrastructure need to be reviewed and reformed to accommodate the future. We will face many challenges due to an increasing energy demand and an aging electrical generation infrastructure. The first energy policies in the United States focused on burning wood for heating, later coal, and finally petroleum. The United States currently lacks comprehensive long-term energy although three Energy Policy Acts have been passed, in 1992, 2005, and 2007. These acts include provisions for conservation, such as the Energy Star program and grants and tax incentives alternative energies but lack any outline for future growth in the energy sector. Much of today's regulation is on the state level."
Abstract This paper examines the background behind and the Indo-U.S. civilian nuclearenergy cooperation agreement and also explains how this agreement between two countries affects the relations of the two nations with the rest of the world. It looks at how the deal marks a notable warming of U.S.-India relations and how it would lift the U.S. moratorium on nuclear trade with India, provide U.S. assistance to India's civilian nuclearenergy program and expand U.S.-Indian cooperation in energy and satellite technology.
From the Paper "India has adhered to a socialist-inspired approach for most of its independent history, with strict government control over private sector participation, foreign trade, and foreign trade direct investment. Since the early 1990s, India has gradually opened up its markets through economic reforms by reducing government control on foreign trade and investment. Privatization of public-owned industries and the opening of certain sectors to private and foreign players have resulted in a competition among the top most corporations in the world. India, the second largest populated country has been attracting investors from around the globe (Bullock). The race of providing better services to such a huge population has received a major boost as the increase in Indian economy has increased the purchasing capacity of an average man in India."
Abstract This paper argues that the disadvantages associated with nuclearenergy are not as great as some of the disadvantages of other forms of energy. Specifialy, the paper argues that nuclear power provides much economic growth and does not degrade the environment unless, of course, an accident of some sort, such as Three Mile Island in 1979, were to occur. The paper further argues that nuclear power is obviously a very sustainable source for the generation of electricity.
From the Paper "In the early 1970s, the cost of a two-unit nuclear plant was about $1 billion, due to the great amount of materials needed for construction. For example, at one plant in the mid-1970's, 270,000 cubic yards of concrete, 17,000 tons of reinforcement bars, 11,000 tons of steel, 250,000 linear feet of large boring pipe, 240,000 feet of small boring pipe and 6,700,000 feet of cable was needed for construction. Presently, the cost has skyrocketed, due to inflation and the increased price of materials."
Abstract This paper explains that, over the last fifty years, the most significant shift in India's energy consumption was the replacement of non-commercial energy with commercial energy, generated frequently
from oil, which is being compromised by the ever-increasing cost of oil. The author points out that India's nuclear power program is poised to take off rapidly because of the accelerated rate of growth of India's economy and its ever increasing need for reasonable priced energy. The paper relates that the Indo-U.S. agreement on the Nuclearenergy is largely a result of President Bush's strong commitment to reducing dependence on fossil fuels, to cutting back emissions of greenhouse gases and to cutting radioactive nuclear wastes, which marks the beginning of a new era of geo-politics to rebuild a balance of power in Asia vis-a-vis China and Pakistan. Many charts and tables.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Current Global NuclearEnergy Scenario
NuclearEnergy in India and Its Economics
The Economics of Nuclear Power in India
Indo-U.S .Nuke Deal: Opportunities and Challenges
Implication at Home
The Impact on Nuclear Nonproliferation Policy Regional Issues
Impact on the Middle East and Israel
Impact on Brazil, Libya, Argentina, Ukraine and South Africa
China
Proliferation Crisis in North Korea
Pakistan
Perceptions of India about Non-Proliferation
Issue of Separation of Civilian and Nuclear Facilities
Concluding Remarks
From the Paper "India, however, breached the international taboo on "going nuclear" in 1998, by testing a series of nuclear explosive devices on May11 and 13 and officially declaring itself a new "nuclear weapons power". These events triggered Pakistan's nuclear explosive testing response two weeks later. Thus, suddenly emerged two self-declared, non-NPT nuclear weapons states radically changing the efficacy of the nuclear non-proliferation regime. This was followed by economic sanctions on both the countries. The problems in the US-India relationship arose from the 1994 Glenn Amendment to the US Arms Export Control Act. The Glenn Amendment requires that the US respond to the Indian nuclear tests with seven steps that are almost automatic in their application to India and Pakistan."
Abstract This paper examines one of the most promising energy resources being currently explored, nuclearenergy. It shows that the idea of using nuclearenergy is being used to scare mankind, because at the time the only connection one had with nuclearenergy was nuclear weapons. In recent years however, there have been efforts to explore the use of nuclearenergy for the purpose of sustaining life. While there are questions about its safety and use, it is quickly becoming evident that nuclearenergy is going to be the wave of the future. This paper takes the reader on an exploratory journey of the issues surrounding nuclearenergy and the positive as well as negative aspects of the topic.
From the Paper "The first alert came by way of Three Mile Island, in Pennsylvania (Siegel, 1991). The threat of a melt down that occurred there caused a nationwide panic and a first time anger at the fact that law makers had allowed nuclear energy to be used(Siegel, 1991). Just as those concerns finally were laid to rest the incident at Chernobyl occurred. If Three Mile Island was the cake, the accident at Chernobyl was the frosting and after it killed dozens of people, destroyed countless miles of land for the next few centuries and exposed millions to fallout symptoms for the next several generations America firmly put its foot down and began to demand the slow and stopping of all nuclear power activity in the states."
Abstract This paper examines how ever since an Italian physicist, Enrico Fermi succeeded in producing the first nuclear chain reaction at the University of Chicago in December of 1942 the usefulness and the drawbacks of nuclearenergy have been debated all over the world. It focuses on the benefits of nuclearenergy and discusses why we should indeed use it. It also examines the concerns regarding the use of nuclear power and describe ways of overcoming them.
Outline
Types of Nuclear Reactions
Energy Release in Nuclear Reactions
Public Concerns about NuclearEnergy Benefits of NuclearEnergy Conclusion
From the Paper "As noted earlier, most nuclear power plants are based on the "fission" process. During various stages of the "fission" nuclear cycle there is a high level of radioactivity present. Nuclear weapons can also be made from the nuclear fuels uranium-235 and plutonium-239. These two facts have prompted a public outcry against the use of nuclear energy, even for peaceful purposes. An accident at the Chernobyl (located in the then USSR) power plant in 1986 and a 1979 incident at Three Mile Island nuclear power plant (near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) further reinforced these concerns. As a result, the use of nuclear energy has declined in the US and most of the world during the last several years. In my opinion these concerns about the peaceful uses of nuclear energy are overblown and nuclear energy deserves a second look as a solution for the ever-increasing energy needs of the world."
Abstract The paper discusses the negative effects of nuclearenergy and the important usages of nuclearenergy despite its drawbacks. The paper then explains why nuclearenergy is far more beneficial to the environment when compared to other types energy production.
Outline:
NuclearEnergy has Negative Effects
Even Though NuclearEnergy Has Negative Effects it is Being Widely Used Today
NuclearEnergy is Also Very Beneficial to the Environment Compared to Other Ways of Producing Electricity
From the Paper "Most of nuclear energy is today being used in households in producing electricity. According to the World Nuclear Association, the principal use of nuclear energy is "to generate electricity" . That is, boiling water is used simply and cleanly in order to make steam which makes turbine generators work. "Except for the reactor itself (which uses uranium as the main fuel), a nuclear power station works like most coal or gas-fired power stations." Nuclear energy is usually suited for medium and large-scale electricity production on a permanent basis. We should keep in mind the fact that nuclear power stations do not cause any pollution.
"The second most common usage of nuclear energy is military where is used in the production of bombs. The first development of atomic energy throughout and directly after the Second World War was to manufacture bombs. According to the WNA, nowadays the military uranium is used into the civil nuclear fuel cycle in order to produce electricity. This thing is considered to be a positive development in the technology."
Abstract This paper assesses the costs and benefits to the environment of using nuclearenergy. The paper explains that while theoretically nuclearenergy is a clean, effective, efficient and almost inexhaustible form of power, public opinion is widely opposed to its usage. However, the author of this paper maintains that that opposition is based on misinformation. The paper explains the process of creating and harnessing nuclearenergy, showing how it is nearly identical -- save the source of the heat -- to that used by geothermal energy plants and many coal-burning plants. The paper further demonstrates that nuclearenergy is actually the safest, most environmentally-sound energy option and concludes that more should be done to support its adoption as America's primary sustainable energy source.
From the Paper "The public's apprehensive assessment of nuclear power remains its most serious obstacle. Although disasters and fatalities have been fairly limited, the potential for catastrophe is not overlooked by anyone. The Three Mile Island disaster seems to be burned into public perception regarding any discussion of nuclear energy (Beder, 224-5). Additionally, radioactive nuclear waste cannot be dumped back into the environment: it remains dangerous for thousands of years. As a consequence, collecting, relocating, and storing this waste presents environmental risks that most other energy resources are not associated with. Naturally, if proper precautions are taken and no mishaps occur; nuclear power is perhaps the most cost effective, cleanest, safest, and sustainable form of energy society has to offer. However, all rests upon its appropriate handling and the public's trust in its distributors."
Tags:energy, recycling, sustainable, global, warming, nuclear, coal, feul, environmentalism, power
Abstract This paper discusses the factors which effect U.S. domestic policy making. This decision making process is coordinated with the Domestic Policy Council (DPC). The writer examines the important role of this council. The paper also briefly discusses a few contemporary issues being dealt with by the council - bankruptcy, environmental law, nuclearenergy, internet domain names and fisheries.
From the Paper "Coordinated by the Domestic Policy Council (DPC), the domestic policy-making process in the White House offers policy advice to the President. This Council in addition works to make certain that the proposal of domestic policy are synchronized as well as constant throughout federal agencies. Furthermore, the execution of these domestic policies is also supervised, where the President's priorities to other branches of government is signified by the DPC (Domestic Policy Council)."
Abstract This paper examines how nuclearenergy is a controversial form of energy that is being phased out of American society. No new nuclear reactors for creating power have been ordered in the United States since 1978. It looks at how nuclearenergy is not only used to generate electrical power for cities and towns across the world, it is also used in weapons of war, to power nuclear submarines and in medicine. It evaluates how the benefits of nuclear power are many, but so are the risks.
From the Paper "Nuclear weapons have existed in the world since World War II, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan to end the war. After the war, the Soviet Union developed their own nuclear weapons, and the resulting Cold War made backyard bomb shelters popular. Everyone was worried someone else was going to drop the "bomb" and cause a nuclear catastrophe. Nuclear weapons were beneficial to society when they were first created, because they ended a war that could have continued on, thus saving lives in the end. However, today nuclear weapons are used mainly to keep other countries in check, and the threat always looms that a bomb could be dropped which would cause a worldwide nuclear disaster, or terrorists could acquire a bomb, causing a disaster."
Abstract This paper takes a look at nuclearenergy. According to the paper, nuclearenergy provides a cost-efficient, safe and reliable form of energy generation that is relatively clean. The paper goes on to discuss how nuclearenergy does not contribute to the growing problem of global warming and climate change since this source does not emit any pollutants into the air.
From the Paper "Lake (2001) argued that since nuclear waste is fully contained and very carefully dealt with, it is the best-managed waste on planet Earth. Furthermore, this author explained how the costs of storage and eventual disposal of nuclear waste are included in the cost of nuclear-produced electricity. In regard to long-term solutions for the storage of nuclear waste, the U.S. commercial nuclear energy industry plans for the development and licensing of an underground national repository for the waste's permanent disposal (Lake, 2001)."
