| Surprise! Nuclear Plants Are All Around You | | | | After all, Chernobyl is a long way off in a |
| | | | country most have never even heard of. Still, |
| 21st May 2006 | | | | most would be surprised to learn that there |
| | | | are so many plants in the United States that |
| Author: Richard Monk | | | | a similar meltdown would be devastating. |
| | | | |
| Given all the talk about energy concerns, few | | | | Determining what states use nuclear power can |
| mention nuclear power as an alternative. It | | | | be difficult. Since power generation is |
| already provides a chunk of our energy needs, | | | | shared across state lines, it is reasonably |
| though most do not realize this fact. | | | | to assume a vast majority of states, if not |
| | | | all, use nuclear power to some extent. |
| Surprise! Nuclear Plants Are All Around You | | | | |
| | | | What we can define, however, is which states |
| Nuclear energy is one of those hot button | | | | have nuclear power plants located within |
| issues that get peoples dander up. | | | | their borders. There are currently thirty-one |
| Ambivalence rarely seems to be an option. You | | | | states that have power plants in one form or |
| are either in favor of using it as a power | | | | another. They are: |
| production resource or you are not. | | | | |
| | | | Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, |
| The odd thing, however, is that most people | | | | Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, |
| only argue in the abstract. Those in favor | | | | Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, |
| argue about the energy produced and getting | | | | Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, |
| off oil. Those against it argue about the | | | | Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New |
| risks in light of the disaster at Chernobyl, | | | | Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North |
| the risk of terrorist attacks and what to do | | | | Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, |
| with the radioactive waste. | | | | Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, |
| | | | Washington, Wisconsin. |
| Interestingly, nobody seems to bring up the | | | | |
| fact that nuclear energy is used in many | | | | Obviously, this means there are 28 states |
| locations in the United States, often just | | | | that don't have nuclear power plants. While |
| outside of major cities. For instance, the | | | | that may make you feel comfortable, keep in |
| San Onofre Nuclear Power Plant hangs over the | | | | mind that the devastation caused by a |
| ocean about 30 minutes north of San Diego and | | | | meltdown is primarily a result of radiation |
| 45 minutes south of Los Angeles. This area is | | | | shooting up into the atmosphere and being |
| also prone to earthquakes with "the big one" | | | | carried off by winds. In the case of |
| prophesized to hit every five years or so. | | | | Chernobyl, even countries such as the U.K. |
| Get into an argument, for or against, in Los | | | | received radiation fallout. |
| Angeles or San Diego and not one person will | | | | |
| mention the plant. | | | | Richard Monk is with - a site with facts |
| | | | about everything. Visit us to read more about |
| It is easy to argue about nuclear power when | | | | energy facts. |
| the plants are not located near your home. | | | | |