Nuclear power is an issue who's pros and cons largely can't be addressed without an LCA (Life Cycle Analysis). Sure, Nuclear reactors, without a doubt, produce fewer carbon emissions than coal and other traditional power plants in their use phase-(actually, natural gas and hydro, both of which can be considered "traditional" as well, probably beat nuclear, not to mention renewable energy sources like solar and wind). But coal is the big, dirty source of power that makes nuclear look good so let's stick with it, for now.

What this view of nuclear power doesn't show us, however, is the massive impacts on the environment that nuclear has before and after its use phase. From the mining of the uranium and it's sad, continuing legacy of heart-breaking heath effects and irresponsible history of safe-guarding local communities, to the refining and transportation of the fuel, to the building of the power plants themselves to the lack of viable, long-term options to deal with the waste-stretching into the thousands of years-nuclear powers' impact vastly outweighs coal and dwarfs the impact of most other energy sources.   

This isn't an issue of engineering or safety. Undoubtedly, you've heard about "new nuclear technologies" that are vastly safer and more efficient. Yes, nuclear reactors can be run safely, whether pebble, breeder, or any other type. Simply one of these dirty little truths, however, is that there aren't any running reactors with any of these promising new technologies-anywhere in the world. Why is that? If they're so promising why isn't a single reactor running somewhere in the world that uses one of them? Pro-nuclear pundits will point to a variety of research studies of new technologies but there are no reactors anywhere that currently use them. Even if these new technologies are safer, this isn't even the real since just because a car can be driven safely doesn't mean it will. More appropriately, in terms of safety, it would be better to look into how the nuclear power industry manages safety-if safety were the biggest challenge.   

The issue isn't so much whether nuclear energy and uranium mining can't be done safely (though that's still a question). Instead, the issue is will it be and if it is, can it possibly be financially advantageous (because the extra costs involved with reliable safety measures, including adequate bonds that protect against bankruptcy). Nuclear's track record is terrible in this regard and there is little to indicate that it would take these responsibilities and concerns any more seriously this time around.   

Instead, the nuclear debate is really about money. As with any other issue, those in favor (energy, engineering, and construction companies), stand to make a lot of money from nuclear power advancing. The problem is that they're myopic, hypocritical, and aren't honest about the fact that the only way to make money in nuclear power is to have your hand out for government subsidies, loan guarantees, risk coverage, and a host of other financial incentives that push the risk and costs onto the government (make that, you and me) instead of the companies who will be reaping the rewards (so much for free markets, "letting business do what it's good at," and laisse faire economics). Those opposed to nuclear power come from a variety of backgrounds, of course, some worried about safety, others about jobs and the economy, many about the environment, some about social issues like tribal and native rights.   

What's new to the debate, however, is the environmental angle. The nuclear energy companies have latched onto climate change as their latest hope to crack the blockade of opposition to nuclear power in this country. Even Patrick Moore, former head of Greenpeace, famously changed his mind to support nuclear energy three years ago.   

The challenge is both in the definition of the problem and in the analysis of the solution. Forgetting nuclear power's embarrassing track-record of abuses, when we look at the entire life cycle of the issue, climate concerns can't be alleviated with nuclear power. In fact, they're probably worse. In addition, the long litany of other problems makes nuclear an option not even worth considering.