Camden Central High School
Camden, Tennessee
Teacher: Wanda Allen
The Nuclear View
By Rachel Beasley
12th Grade
The question of whether the United States is carelessly wasting energy has come to the minds of many people. Gasoline is a nonrenewable resource that people use every day. The question is that if the citizens of the world continue to use gasoline the way we have in the past, will we eventually run out? Also, are we harming the environment and the atmosphere in the progress? The Bipartisan Energy Bill was put into effect in 2003 by the vote of the Senate. The main goal of this bill was to increase conservation of our gasoline, diversify fuel supply, increase production, and introduce new technology into the energy field. The Bill contains eleven titles in all. I believe that this Bill is doing a very good job in working toward these goals. It can not happen over night, but there is slow progress.
There is one title in the Bipartisan Energy Bill that deals exclusively with nuclear power. Many people [believe] that nuclear energy will keep the world much cleaner than other forms of fuel that people…get their energy from today. Nuclear energy is the world’s largest source of emission-free energy. Nuclear power does not [pollute]. Other forms of energy may [emit] air pollutants, greenhouse gases, sulfur, and particulates that may, over time, harm the Earth’s ozone layer. Nuclear energy does not emit any of these harmful agents. By using nuclear energy, it keeps [the] air that we are breathing into our lungs cleaner. It avoids ground-level ozone formation and prevents acid rain from forming and falling into our soil.
Overall, nuclear energy provides our world with about seventeen percent of all the energy that is used. The United States uses about twenty percent nuclear energy out of all of the energy sources that are available to us. Nuclear energy is the nation’s second cheapest form of energy. The first is hydroelectric power. It is a very safe form of energy. Some countries have taken advantage of this environment-friendly form of energy. France takes seventy-five percent of all energy used in the nation from nuclear power. Worldwide, there are over four hundred nuclear power plants. The United States has around one hundred nuclear power plants.
The Bipartisan Energy Bill offers an exciting [incentive] to nuclear power plants. However, it was only offered to the first half dozen nuclear power plants who qualified. The bill offered a 1.8 cent per kilowatt production tax credit for electricity produced by new nuclear power. That may not seem like a lot of money to the average person, but when it applies to a huge power plant that is in production around the clock every day of the year, it can add up,…saving them excessive amounts of money in taxes that they have to pay.
This innovative bill created a stand-by support program to make sure that the customers of nuclear power plants do not have to pay higher delays in their bills because of unexpected delays in the construction of the nuclear power plant [due to] litigation. It insures the costs of all these [kinds of] delays…. This was a very good idea…. By doing this, the customers will feel more secure in their power plant and will offer [them] more support…. After all, one of their main goals is to make the customers happy.
The bill guarantees federal loans to those who have innovative technologies that will diversify and increase energy supply. But, it has to protect the environment at the same time. This includes new nuclear reactors. Also, none of this will cost taxpayers…. Those people who want to take out such a loan pay into the Untied States treasury a sum equal to the financial risk of the project. Citizens would probably love this fact. It does not cost taxpayers any of their hard earned money, while ensuring entrepreneurs the guarantee of a loan.
Lastly, the Bipartisan Energy Bill offers something else to the nuclear
power plants. It strengthens the security of all nuclear facilities
nationwide. It requires that the federal government oversees the plants
better, and protects the sabotage of individual power plants from occurring.
This makes the plants, and probably the citizens that are living in close
proximity to these plants, feel safer.
I
think that this bill [contributes] to the progress of our country and the
world. Someone has to take a stand in the fight for…world safety and the
[use] of our resources. The Senate has taken it upon [itself] to do [just]
that.
Works Cited
Brian, Marshall. "How Nuclear Power Works." How Stuff Works. 02
Apr. 2006 <http://www.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power.htm>.
Lashinsky, Adam. "How to Beat the High Cost of Gasloine. Forever!."
2006 Alternate Fuels Essay Contest. Singer Foundation. 02
Apr. 2006 <http://www.singerfoundation.org/Current%20
Contests/
Answers To Questions
Q1- Gassahol is a byproduct exclusively from corn and sugarcane where as cellulosic ethanol can be produced from agricultural waste such as prarie switchgrass, woodchips, and corn husks.
Q2- Why did auto makers produce cars that could operate using ethanol as well as gasoline before there was an adequate number of service stations that could provide ethanol?
It could put a huge dent in the gasoline industry. There are cars that can go back and forth between gas and ethanol.
Q3-When were the first cars produced that were capable of using ethanol?
Henry Ford’s model T cars in the 1920’s
Q4-In a paragraph, describe Brazil’s experience with ethanol. What did the Fortune article claim was Brazil’s key to success?
Brazil is trying to do what is the best for their country. Ethanol has impressed the country so much that they are producing mainly cars that can burn either gasoline or ethanol.
Q5-What is the significance of a yellow gas cap?
It means that the car is E85 ready.
Q6- Describe bio-diesel.
Biodegradable, non-toxic, few emissions when released.
Q7- Explain the term “flex-fuel engine”. What American auto manufacturer introduced the first prototype of a flex-fuel engine?
It is one that can switch back and forth between ethanol and gasoline. Ford introduced us to one in 2002.
Q8- Trace the progress of H.R. 6 for viewers to our web site. (dates introduced, amended, pass or rejected)
September 7, 2005- NHTSA Fuel Study Use introduced
October 7, 2005- GSA was established
August 8, 2006- DOE clean Coal Power initiative Report is due.
Q9- What is the purpose of the fuel hybrid vehicle commercialization initiative?
To improve technologies for commercialization in order to reduce petroleum consumption
Q10- What is the nation's largest renewable energy resource?
Hydroelectric dams
Q11- What is the purpose of the Hydrogen Fuel Initiative?
It develops the technology to produce, store, and distribute hydrogen for use.
Q12- List seven items mentioned in the 2005 energy tax bill that taxpayers can claim as credits against their tax bills.
1. 1.8 cent per kilowatt production tax credit for electricity produced by new nuclear power.
2. Efficiency and conservation tax credits encourage the construction of energy efficient offices and homes.
3. Expands on an existing business solar investment tax credit for the purchase of solar equipment.
4. The contractors of new energy efficient homes if they save 50% or more.
5. Tax credits for water heaters, heat pumps, air conditioners, and other equipment that achieve certain efficiency levels.
6. Tax credits for manufacturers who produce highly energy-efficient dishwashers, clothes washers, and refrigerators.
7. A 30% tax credit for purchase of solar, photovoltaic, and fuel cell properties for use in residencies.