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