Nuclear energy policy facts for kids
Nuclear energy policy is about how countries decide to use nuclear energy. This includes everything from finding nuclear fuel to making electricity and storing the waste. Because nuclear energy can also be used to make nuclear weapons, decisions about it are very important. Some countries worry about nuclear proliferation, which is when more countries get nuclear weapons. This worry affects how countries make their nuclear energy rules.
Only a few countries in the world use nuclear energy. In 2007, just 31 out of 191 United Nations countries had nuclear power plants. France used nuclear power for 75% of its electricity. Other countries that relied a lot on it included Lithuania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, and South Korea. The USA made the most nuclear power, followed by France and Japan. In 2000, there were 438 nuclear power plants around the world.
After the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011, some countries changed their minds about nuclear power. Germany closed eight of its reactors. Italy voted to stop using nuclear power. Switzerland and Spain decided not to build any new reactors. As of 2013, countries like Australia, Austria, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Norway were against nuclear power. Germany and Switzerland are slowly stopping their use of nuclear power. Around the world, more nuclear reactors have closed than opened recently.
Contents
Nuclear Energy Around the World
This section looks at how different countries handle nuclear energy.
Australia's Nuclear Stance
Anti-nuclear movement in Australia Australia does not produce any nuclear power. There were plans to consider building nuclear power plants. However, these plans were stopped in 2007. This happened after Kevin Rudd, who was against nuclear power, became prime minister.
Finland's Nuclear Power
Finland started using nuclear power in 1977. As of 2006, Finland had four nuclear reactors. These reactors produce 27% of Finland's electricity.
A new reactor called Olkiluoto 3 was planned. It was supposed to start working in 2011. This reactor would be very powerful. However, its construction faced many problems. It was delayed by over two years and cost much more than planned.
France's Nuclear Choice
After an oil crisis in the 1970s, France decided to make its own electricity. They chose to build many nuclear power stations. Today, about 78% of France's electricity comes from nuclear power. France even makes more electricity than it needs. So, it sells nuclear-produced energy to other countries. This includes countries like Germany, which are against nuclear energy.
France is building a new powerful reactor called EPR at Flamanville. It started construction in 2007 and was expected to finish in 2012.
In the 1970s, people in France protested against nuclear power. Many large demonstrations took place. More recently, groups like Greenpeace have continued to speak out.
Germany's Nuclear Phase-Out
In 2000, the German government decided to stop using nuclear power. They made an agreement with energy companies. The plan was to close all 19 nuclear power plants by 2020. Two plants, Stade and Obrigheim, were shut down in 2003 and 2005.
However, the law did not ban all nuclear activities. A plant in Gronau was allowed to continue processing nuclear materials. There were also worries about safely moving nuclear waste.
In 2005, Angela Merkel became Chancellor. She wanted to rethink the nuclear phase-out. But her government decided to keep the plan for now.
In 2008, a shipment of nuclear waste arrived at a storage site. It was delayed by large protests. More than 15,000 people protested. They blocked roads with sit-down protests and tractors. These protests showed strong feelings against nuclear power in Germany.
Japan's Nuclear Journey
Nuclear accidents in Japan Japan has 55 nuclear reactors. They produce about 30% of Japan's electricity. Japan had plans to increase this to 41% by 2014.
In 2007, a strong earthquake hit near the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant. This is the world's largest nuclear power station. All its reactors were shut down for checks and repairs.
On March 11, 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant had a major accident. Its cooling systems failed after an earthquake and tsunami. This was Japan's first nuclear emergency. People living near the plant had to move away. Explosions and a fire caused dangerous levels of radiation. This led to panic-buying in stores and affected the stock market.
United States Nuclear Power
Anti-nuclear movement in the United States The first commercial nuclear power plant in the United States was Shippingport, built in 1958. In the 1960s, many thought nuclear power would grow very fast. They expected over 1,000 reactors by 2000. But by the late 1970s, this changed. More than 120 reactor orders were cancelled.
As of 2007, the United States has 104 nuclear power plants. They produce about 20% of the nation's electricity. The U.S. is the world's biggest producer of commercial nuclear power.
The Three Mile Island accident was the most serious nuclear accident in the U.S. Other incidents happened at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Plant.
Several U.S. nuclear plants closed earlier than planned. These include Rancho Seco in 1989 and Trojan in 1992. Humboldt Bay closed in 1976 because it was built on a fault line. The Shoreham plant never even started working. This was because people could not agree on an emergency evacuation plan. This happened after the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents.
Many plants have recently received permission to operate for another 20 years.
Images for kids
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The number of nuclear power plant constructions started each year, from 1954 to 2013. Notice the increase from 2007 to 2010, then a drop after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster.
See also
In Spanish: Política sobre energía nuclear para niños
