Commentary: Nuclear power could save our air quality. At what cost to the water?

KENNEBEC JOURNAL • September 4, 2023

Japan started releasing contaminated water that was stored at the now defunct Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. A power plant company in Canada wants to store waste from its nuclear reactors within half a mile of the Great Lakes. Burning fossil fuels sends carbon dioxide into the air, contributing to global warming. Nuclear power advocates would say now’s the time to move aggressively to nuclear, which doesn’t add to greenhouse gas emissions. There are roughly 440 operating nuclear reactors in 32 countries, with upwards of 60 more currently under construction. That may be good news for air quality. Unfortunately, the water we drink is now, frighteningly, up for discussion. ~ LZ Granderson