Science

Nuclear Energy: Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives

Nuclear Energy: Risks, Benefits, and Alternatives — Byron nuclear power plant

Concerns about the safety of nuclear power plants increased after the earthquake and tsunami damage to the Fukushima nuclear reactors in Japan. The August 2011 eathquake on the east coast of the United States brought the concern to our shores. Illinois has aging Fukushima-type GE Mark I reactors at Dresden 2 & 3 and Quad Cities 1 & 2.

In this talk, Robert Rosner, the former director of Argonne National Laboratory and Director of the Harris Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, speaks about the benefits of nuclear energy. David Kraft, Director of NEIS (Nuclear Energy Information Service), speaks to the problems of aging plants and the management of nuclear waste. Roger Frechette, founder and president of PositivEnergy Practice, speaks about the use of conservation, design, planning, and imagination in solving energy needs.

The Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. It operates the Adlai E. Stevenson Historic Home as a licensee of the Lake County Forest Preserve District. The license does not imply the District’s endorsement of specific ASCD positions or presenters.

Recorded Sunday, September 18, 2011 at the Adlai Stevenson Center on Democracy.

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