Now more than ever before, people are looking for sustainable and renewable sources of energy. Recent events on the world scene have made it very clear that Western reliance on fossil fuels puts many nations in a position where they can easily be manipulated by the oil-producing countries of the world. Any small political change or revolution in an oil-producing country is felt in the pocketbooks of average consumers around the world when they fill up their gas tanks. All of these facts have made more and more people clamor for greener energy. Some have pointed to nuclear energy as the best “green” option. But is it fair to call nuclear energy “green energy”?

What Is Meant by "Green Energy"?

When people talk about green energy, they are talking about sources of energy that leave little to no carbon footprint. They have little to no negative effect on the environment. They use little to no natural resources. Included in the list of green energies are things like wind energy, hydro energy and ethanol. Many, however, are reluctant to throw in nuclear energy on this list, despite a compelling argument for defining nuclear power as green energy.

Nuclear Energy Is a “Clean” Source of Energy

The first reason why is because nuclear power is readily available. It is inexpensive to generate, when not bogged down with excessive government regulations. Nuclear energy does not create polluting gases, and nuclear energy will release absolutely nothing into the atmosphere. This means that there will be no sulfur, no carbon monoxide and no contaminants. Creating nuclear energy requires a relatively small area of land, when compared with other renewable sources of energy, such as wind and solar energy. For example, a nuclear reactor that sits on 300 acres of land can provide energy to a city of 2 million homes. To get the same output, reports an alternative energy specialist with an online Environmental Management degree, from solar or wind energy would require tens of thousands of acres of land.

What about Nuclear Waste?

Some counter with safety concerns about nuclear waste. These concerns are often exaggerated—for every individual whose energy needs are met by nuclear power, the amount of nuclear waste produced is about the size of a can of soda and can be safely contained and stored.

Is Nuclear Energy Safe to Produce?

Safety concerns are also exaggerated. Since the introduction of nuclear power plants in the United States, not a single individual has died as a result of a nuclear power accident. However, in just four years, almost 700 individuals died producing energy from fossil fuels in the United States.

The arguments for nuclear energy are compelling—in every way nuclear power meets the benchmark for being considered a green source of energy.