Nuclear
Energy
Nuclear
Waste and Energy Sites ____
Nuclear
Waste
The majority
of high level radioactive waste produced comes from the fuel in
the core of nuclear power reactors. Irradiated fuel is the most
radioactive fuel on the planet and accounts for some 95% of radioactivity
generated in the last 50 years from all sources, including nuclear
weapons production. Once removed from the core, irradiated fuel
is stored in cooling pools on the nuclear reactor site. Each 1000
megawatt nuclear power plant produces about 500 pounds of plutonium
a year and about 30 metric tons of high-level radioactive waste.
Environmental
Costs
While electricity
generated from nuclear power does not directly emit carbon dioxide
(CO2), the nuclear fuel cycle does release CO2 during mining, fuel
enrichment and plant construction. Uranium mining is one of the
most CO2 intensive industrial operations and as demand for uranium
grows because of new electricity generation and new plant construction,
CO2 levels will also rise.
In a case study
in Germany, the Oko-Institute determined that 34 grams of CO2 are
emitted per generated kilowatt (kWh). Other international research
studies show much higher figures (up to 60 grams of CO2 per kWh).
In comparison to renewable energy, energy generated from nuclear
power releases 4-5 times more CO2 per unit of energy produced, taking
into account the entire nuclear fuel cycle.
US government
regulations allow radioactive water to be released into the environment
at "permissible" levels. Accurate accounting of all radioactive
wastes released into the air, water and soil from the nuclear fuel
cycle is simply not available. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission
relies on self-reporting and computer modeling from reactor operators
to track radioactive releases and project dispersions.
Health
It has been
scientifically established that low-level radiation damages tissues,
cells, DNA and other vital molecules. Effects of low-level radiation
doses cause cell death, genetic mutations, cancers, leukemia, birth
defects, and reproductive, immune and endocrine system disorders.
Radioactivity
is measured in "curies." An average operating nuclear power reactor
core has about 16 billion curies at its core, which is equivalent
to the long-lived radioactivity of at least 1,000 Hiroshima bombs.
In comparison, a large-sized medical center with as many as 1000
laboratories in which radioactive materials are used, has a combined
inventory of about 2 curies.
Nuclear Safety
There have been
repetitive problems with security, safety and environment impact
in the nuclear industry. Radioactive contamination does not discriminate
between national borders and nuclear power plants threaten the health
and well-being of all surrounding environments.
Nuclear Sustainability
Nuclear power
plants produce extremely toxic radioactive wastes that are long-lived
and have no safe means of disposal. Disposal is neither scientifically
credible nor is there any sustainable options for interim storage.
Producing long-lived radioactive wastes with no solution for its
disposal will leave serious and irreversible environmental damage
and degradation for generations to come, which is contrary to the
principles of sustainability.
An Endless
Source of Energy?
There have been
several failures in breeder reactor programs. The Monju fast breeder
reactor in Japan was closed in 1995 until recently because of a
serious accident. The French and UK breeder reactor programs have
also been permanently closed. There is also no foreseeable commercial
development of fusion reactors.
Additionally,
uranium supplies are rapidly diminishing. The combined effects mean
that nuclear power will not be able to supply the long-term needs
of the world's energy demands.
Nuclear Weapons
and Nuclear Energy
The Nuclear
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was signed on July 1, 1968 and entered
into force on March 5, 1970. Its initial duration was 25 years.
In 1995 it was extended indefinitely, with a review conference to
be held every five years. At the heart of the NPT is a central bargain
in which the Non-Nuclear Weapons States (NNWS) agreed to refrain
from acquiring nuclear weapons. In exchange the Nuclear Weapons
States (NWS) pledged to end the nuclear arms race and to negotiate
nuclear disarmament (Article VI). As an incentive, the NNWS were
promised assistance with research, production and use of nuclear
energy for "peaceful" purposes (Article IV). Each NNWS also agreed
to accept "safeguards" under the auspices of the International Atomic
Energy Agency. These safeguards do not apply to the NWS. The treaty
defined a NWS as one that had manufactured and exploded a nuclear
weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to January 1, 1967.
However, any country with a nuclear reactor can in theory produce
a nuclear weapon.
Proliferation
MOX, or mixed
oxide plutonium, is an experimental fuel in which plutonium, usually
from dismantled nuclear weapons, is mixed with uranium for use in
commercial nuclear reactors. The MOX projects require transporting
plutonium by rail, ship or truck. The use of plutonium MOX fuel
creates serious security threats as the transportation of plutonium
increases the possibilities for theft and/or diversion of plutonium.
In a study conducted
in 1999, the Nuclear Control Institute determined that a severe
accident at a civilian reactor powered by plutonium or MOX fuel
could cause twice as many fatal cancers as an identical accident
at a reactor that uses uranium fuel. MOX plutonium fuel produces
more radioactivity than does uranium fuel.
The use of plutonium
MOX fuel also greatly exacerbates the problem of storing and disposing
high-level radioactive waste. The use of plutonium in a nuclear
reactor will not get rid of plutonium, which is an impossible goal.
The idea behind using MOX plutonium, rather, is to render it less
approachable by terrorists or "states of concern" because it is
so lethal.
Nuclear Regulatory
Comission
Governors' Designees
Receiving Advance Notification of Transportation of Nuclear Waste
On January 6,
1982 (47 FR 596 and 47 FR 600), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) published in the Federal Register final amendments to 10 CFR
parts 71 and 73 (effective July 6, 1982), that require advance notification
to Governors or their designees by NRC licensees prior to transportation
of certain shipments of nuclear waste and spent fuel. The advance
notification covered in part 73 is for spent nuclear reactor fuel
shipments and the notification for part 71 is for large quantity
shipments of radioactive waste (and of spent
nuclear reactor fuel not covered under the final amendment to 10
CFR part 73).
The following list updates the names,
addresses, and telephone numbers of those individuals in each State
who are responsible for receiving information on nuclear waste shipments.
The list will be published annually in the Federal Register on or
about June 30 to reflect any changes in information.
Questions regarding
this matter should be directed to Spiros
Droggitis, Office of State and Tribal Programs, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, Washington, DC 20555, (Internet Address: SCD@NRC.GOV)
or at
(301) 415-2367.
Dated at Rockville,
Maryland, June 20, 2001.
For the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission.
Paul H. Lohaus,
Director, Office of State and Tribal Programs.
[FR Doc. 01-16103 Filed 6-28-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7590-01-P
|