Splitting Atoms

Nuclear scientists purposefully try to split certain atoms. The method of doing this is called fission. They split these atoms by making uranium run into and split neutrons of atoms. When this happens, a great amount of energy makes electricity. To prevent waste problems, scientists are trying to control nuclear energy in a lab.

Environmental Concerns - Three Mile Island

Nuclear power has been a concern of many environmentally concerned people because of the potential of a nuclear accident. In March of 1979, equipment failures and human error contributed to an accident at Three Mile Island nuclear reactor at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. A series of events led to the worse nuclear accident in U.S. history. The public outrage over the events at Three Mile Island led to the U.S. nuclear energy industry creation of the Institute of Nuclear Power Operations in order to address issues of safety and performance.

Radioactivity

Researchers have found that it is actually one of the most environmentally safe power sources. The only downfall of using nuclear power is that it produces a radioactive waste, which can be harmful, and the body cannot detect it. Many people are afraid to use nuclear power because it is radioactive, but mostly everything has some level of radioactivity.

Limerick Power Plant

Nuclear power is being used in Southeastern Pennsylvania as a power source. The photos on this page are from the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant in Limerick, PA (in Montgomery County). The electricity from the Limerick plant does not serve the communities in the Pennridge School District; however, the water used to cool the plant is pumped through our school district.

Other Nuclear Power Plants

Other Pennsylvania nuclear facilities include Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station (York County) and Susquehanna Steam Electric Station (Luzerne County).