Nuclear Energy as Fossil Fuel Replacement - Term Paper Example

There has been heightened concern about U.S dependency on fossil fuels for energy. According to OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, the U.S draws approximately 85% of its energy from fossil fuels. This is an alarming fact since global fossil fuel reserves are dwindling at a very fast rate. Consequently, this has caused an increased cost of energy thereby affecting the economic drivers. Nuclear energy comes in handy in solving this energy crisis (OECD, 2008).

Low input cost
Arguably, setting up a nuclear energy power plant requires a lot of capital investment. However, the overall running costs of the plant are relatively cheap. The main input cost when harnessing nuclear energy is the production of nuclear rods. Once a good supply is established, a constant supply of energy is guaranteed. Unlike fossil fuel which is bulky to store and transport, nuclear materials are less bulky and can thus be prepared and stored to ensure a constant supply of energy without the need for large storage.

Constant and Consistent Supply
Nuclear power plants can be set up in any convenient place that meets safety standards. This implies that the U.S does not have to depend on imported fossil fuel energy, which is usually affected by the global political climate. For instance, the current political crisis that has affected northern African oil-producing countries such as Libya has greatly affected fuel supply to the U.S (Herbst and Hopley, 2007). Having nuclear power plants in the U.S would ensure a constant and efficient supply of energy to the whole population. Nuclear energy offers a long-term supply of energy enough to drive the U.S economy for many years. Therefore, nuclear energy offers not only a solution to the current overdependence on fossil fuels but also offers a long-term viable energy supply.

Power Output Efficiency
One of the main advantages of nuclear energy is the efficiency in power output. Nuclear energy is obtained from nuclear reactions in the atom of elements such as uranium. A very small amount of uranium is enough to produce a lot of heat energy during the nuclear reaction. This energy is used to drive steam turbines, which in turn generates electricity. Energy from fossil fuels requires the extraction and refining of a very large amount of fossil ore to come up with a refined usable energy product. This comparison makes nuclear energy the preferred choice when it comes to power output efficiency.

Effective interchangeability
Advancement in technology has made it possible to transform electric energy into a wide variety of forms. Hybrid and electric cars are increasingly becoming a reality. This makes electric energy to be the most preferred form of energy due to its wide variety of applications. Transforming fossil fuel energy to electricity requires the burning of the fuel thereby contributing to environmental pollution. This does not come by surprise since the greatest percentage of global pollution comes from the burning of fossil fuels in the process of transforming it from one form to another (Holt, 2008). Nuclear energy comes in as the best alternative. The production of nuclear energy does not cause environmental pollution and the electric energy produced comes in a form ready to use in an environmentally friendly way.

Integrating Saint Leo’s Core Values
The primary objective of any leadership is to serve the community with the best interest in mind. When leadership provides the U.S community with an efficient, safe, affordable, and stable supply of energy, the community will develop and advance. This concurs with Saint Leo’s core values of responsible stewardship and integrity.
Conclusion
Nuclear energy is arguably the most convenient replacement for fossil fuel as efforts are made to rid the U.S of overdependence on fossil fuels.