Minus my daily scroll(s) through Instagram, I am constantly consuming news. This is thanks in part to my job in media relations and to my own interest in seeing the world beyond what I personally know and experience. Some days it can be daunting, but more often than not I find inspiration in the stories where everyday citizens and leaders are boldly creating solutions to the world’s biggest challenges.
Recently, I read a story about a group of young female engineers who are designing solar powered tents to tackle homelessness in their community. This got me thinking about nuclear’s role in solving some of the most critical issues we see in our headlines daily.
It’s already well known that nuclear keeps the lights on. It heats homes and schools when temperatures drop, and generates reliable electricity 24/7. But nuclear goes beyond electricity and has the power to do much more.
Here are five ways nuclear goes beyond electricity and offers benefits that improve our well-being and economic success.
Nuclear decarbonizes the economy
Nuclear energy has a significant part to play in addressing climate change. With renewed urgency to lower carbon emissions, environmental groups and other advocates have called for nuclear to be part of the solution. They know that nuclear is the largest generator of clean energy for the nation and must be included in any comprehensive strategy to combat climate change. With 12 nuclear units currently announced for closure, we are at risk of losing more than 90 million megawatt-hours of clean energy generation each year. That represents more than all the solar generation in the U.S. and more than all the wind generation east of the Mississippi River in 2017. Losing that much clean energy would set us back from making any real progress toward decarbonizing the economy.
Nuclear protects our air quality
Nuclear not only preserves the environment, but also our public health. Nuclear avoids harmful emissions that cause smog and acid rain, which contributes to health issues like asthma, heart disease and lung cancer. That’s why advocates, like Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and environmental justice advocate Norris McDonald, have been vocal in their support for nuclear energy. Researchers at NASA and Columbia University have noted that nuclear power may have prevented more than 1.8 million air-pollution related deaths.
Nuclear is a massive economic stimulator
The nation’s nuclear power plants provide approximately 475,000 direct and secondary jobs. From electricians to engineers and health physicists, the nuclear industry creates high-quality, long-term jobs that pay on average 36 percent more than the local salary. And its impact doesn’t stop with employment. In many circumstances, nuclear power plants serve as the economic backbone for the communities in which they operate, providing $12 billion annually in local, state and federal tax revenues. That’s funding for schools, roads and emergency personnel. Take a look at Ohio and Pennsylvania–home to four nuclear plants set for early retirements. Together these plants are responsible for more than 3,000 jobs and tens of millions of dollars in state and local revenue.
5 Benefits of Nuclear Energy
Nuclear helps diagnose and heal us
Nuclear technology is used in the medical field to help doctors diagnose and heal patients. Cobalt-60, an isotope that commercial nuclear plants can produce, is used in medical imaging, specialized cancer treatments and medical equipment sterilization. Nuclear isotopes also are used to keep bacteria and parasites from causing illnesses.
Nuclear provides access to basic needs
It’s easy to overlook the benefits of electricity. Consider, though, that without it you lose access to clean water and food stability. Surgeons would struggle to treat patients and educational opportunities would be difficult to obtain. Nuclear is uniquely able to provide an abundant supply of clean, cheap and always-on electricity. In this way nuclear energy offers a pathway to lift communities out of poverty through access to basic needs. Bill Gates is a long-time supporter of nuclear for this very reason.
It’s hard to dismiss the widespread benefits of nuclear power. As our news headlines continue to cover momentum for action on climate change, poverty, and economic inequality, policymakers and world leaders should take a deeper look at how nuclear energy can be part of the solution.
Top Photo Credit: Courtesy of Visit Tri-Cities
