The Global Nuclear Energy Partnership is planned for the fiscal year 2008 awaiting ratification. President Bush’s plan is designed to “transform nuclear leftovers to fuel new types of nuclear reactors.” These new processes will potentially allow for 100 times the energy production with 60% less waste than current methods. It is estimated that America’s energy demands will jump 45% by the year 2030 to 5,800 billion kilowatt-hours. The DOE feels this plan may be the best alternative to meet the rising demands while providing a solution for the 2,300 tons of radioactive waste produced annually by our country.
Another argument for the project is the recycling process’ ability to not allow isolation of pure plutonium thus making it harder to produce nuclear weapons form our country’s resources. However, the opposition makes several valid points.
Therefore, in a time when the world feels so much tension between countries and many Americans fear the possibility of nuclear war, we should ask ourselves where does environmental safety on such a large scale rank in our country’s priorities.