This essay will address the economic benefits of nuclear energy in terms of its production, employment and economic independence.

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This essay will address the economic benefits of nuclear energy in terms of its production, employment and economic independence.

Economic benefits are one of the very many benefits of nuclear energy. Nuclear power is economically competitive with coal, and generally considered less expensive than oil or natural gas.  In one joint study by several agencies and independent groups, most of the 19 counties found nuclear power to be at least 10% cheaper than coal-fired power.  The other 7 countries found the prices to be nearly equivalent.

My first point is that nuclear power is economically production.  A nuclear power plant uses uranium as its fuel. Uranium is a much more effective energy source than coal, oil or gas. The energy in one ounce of uranium is equivalent to the energy in 100 tons of coal. Also, it costs much more to rid coal of its impurities and contaminants than it does uranium.  While the initial cost of a nuclear power plant is higher than that of other energy plants, the money saved by using nuclear energy would cover the cost of its construction within its first six months of operation. After the initial six months of use, the nuclear plant will save money and make it much more economical than other types of energy plants for the duration of its life, usually about forty years.

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My second point is that nuclear energy is good for the economy and employment.  The economic activity of a nuclear plant generates on average around $20 million in state and local tax revenues. Each nuclear plant employs an average of approximately 500 employees from the local community and generates an additional 500 jobs in the local area. Each new American nuclear plant will create 1,400-1,800 construction jobs and add 400 to 700 permanent positions to support continued operations. Every dollar spent by a nuclear plant generates approximately $1.13 in the local economy of that plant.    Workers for nuclear ...

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