INTRODUCTION
Nuclear energy has perhaps the lowest impact on the environment--including air, land, water, and wildlife--of any energy source, because it does not produce harmful gases, isolates its waste from the environment, and requires less area to produce the same amount of electricity as other sources. Nuclear power plants produce no controlled air pollutants, such as sulfur and particulates, or greenhouse gases. The use of nuclear energy in place of other energy sources helps to keep the air clean, preserve the Earth's climate, avoid ground-level ozone formation and prevent acid rain
Nuclear power plants do not produce emissions when they generate electricity. The life-cycle emissions from nuclear energy--from mining to plant construction to operation to fuel disposal--are no greater than other non-emitting sources of electricity available today.
Sustainable Development and Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy has a vital role to play in sustainable economic development around the world because it is emission-free and provides plentiful, reliable, affordable electricity.
English: Nuclear power plant in Cattenom, France D...
English: This graph illustrates the potential rise...
English: Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plants 1 & 2 (BWR...The Hydrogen Economy and Nuclear Energy
Some day hydrogen will power cars and factories, largely reducing pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions. Using emission-free nuclear energy to produce hydrogen as a fuel is the most environmentally helpful manner.
OTHER ADVANTAGES OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
Nuclear Energy Contributes to Clean Air
Nuclear power plants help states and regions meet clean air standards by providing a large amount of electricity with no air emissions.
The Economic Value of Clean Air at Nuclear Power Plants
Meeting clean air requirements is essential for state and regional economies. Emission-free nuclear power plants are increasing their clean-air contribution by becoming more efficient and producing more electricity.
Nuclear Energy's Environmental Benefits
Various numerical measures quantify nuclear energy's environmental value, such as emissions avoidance, reductions, and compliance.
Our environment
Because nuclear energy has such a small impact on its surroundings, nuclear power plants...