argumentative essay " Nuclear Power Plant "

                                                   Nuclear Power Plant

     The controversial issue “Should Taiwan’s fourth nuclear power plant continue constructing or not?” has risen up to the top news because Taiwan government is going to hold a referendum to know people’s opinions. Due to the industrialization in Taiwan as well as oil crisis of the world, we start to produce electricity with a new method --- nuclear power, which has become one of most relied methods to generate electricity. Although someone may say unclear is dangerous, I certainly believe that generating electricity with nuclear power plant is the most ecologically efficient, economic, and safe method.

      In my opinion, of all energy sources, nuclear power has the lowest impact on the environment. A nuclear power plant doesn’t emit harmful gases, requires a relatively small area, but and effectively minimizes other impacts. Therefore, there are no significant adverse effects to water, land, habitat, species, and air resources. Besides, nuclear power plants burn nothing to produce electricity, so that there is no carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases causing global warming, which might devastate people’s civilization due to the rise of Earth’s average temperature and result in dramatic climate change. Consequently, nuclear power plant is the most ecologically efficient of all.

      Furthermore, a nuclear power plant provides low-cost and predictable power at stable prices. Designed to operate continuously for long periods of time, nuclear power plants can run about 540 days before shutting down for refueling. In addition, it uses an enriched form of uranium, a relatively abundant element that exists naturally in the earth's crust. Moreover, according to a report made by Taiwan Power Company in 2011, the cost per kilowatt-hour is 0.76 NT dollars with nuclear, 0.91 NT dollars with coal, 1.93NT dollars with oil, or 2.61 NT dollars with natural gas. Additionally, the cost of oil or natural gas may get higher because of oil crisis. Hence, using nuclear is the most economic way so far.

      The safety of nuclear power plants is far from doubt. To achieve optimum secured, nuclear plants operates a with multiple safety systems supplementing the natural features of the reactor core. Also, a nuclear power plant is usually built close to sea, for the sake of cooling. As a result, all the buildings with safety-related equipment are situated on high enough platforms so that they stand above submerged areas in case of flooding events. After Japan’s Fukushima nuclear disaster on 11 March 2011, someone may say we live in an island surrounding with sea and there are many earthquakes might cause tsunami. I understand natural disasters may destroy nuclear power plants and cause a lot of damage. Nevertheless, the investigation of Fukushima event shows Tokyo Power Company should follow protocol earlier and shut down the nuclear power plant with sea water. So, through standard operation procedures, we can make nuclear power plant safer although it is an inherently hazardous technology.

       In conclusion, nuclear power plant not only can produce electricity contributed to maintain good qualities of our daily life but also have the lowest environmental impact to earth. Through the solid structure and secured software, it is worthily relied. I assuredly have faith in that nuclear power plant will provide us a healthy and wealthy life.