The case for nuclear energy

As the scarcity and cost of fossil fuels increase, nuclear fission holds promise as the next important source of energy. Coal, our most abundant fossil fuel, is also our dirtiest. Coal has an environmental cost. Because of price increases and availability problems, natural gas may well be out of the picture as a boiler fuel for power generation by 1990. Since 1967, the U.S. has been importing more petroleum to meet the demand. Many east coast power companies have turned to imported low sulfur oil. The wisdom of allowing so much vital power generating capacity to be dependent on imported fuel is questionable. Nuclear energy can be used to meet the energy needs of today. Although the nuclear power plant is rather inefficient, it is ahead of the fossil fuels because of the environmental impact situation. The new plans for off-shore nuclear plants will eliminate the problem of thermal pollution.