Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 16-4:
The
geography
of
natural gas.
However the map may change, the benefits of natural gas — like fossil fuels in general — will be
unevenly distributed. Some areas are certain to have lots of it and others none. But as far as non-re-
newable resources are concerned, the future of natural gas probably burns brightest.
Applied Geography: The nuclear dilemma
The “dilemma” concerns three questions. Should more nuclear power plants be built? If
so, then where? And where should we store the nuclear waste that we need to deal with
in any event?
Nuclear power is a technologically sophisticated means of producing electricity. Specific-
ally, a nuclear reaction induces rods of enriched uranium to produce high heat but also
toxic radiation. This occurs in a heavily leaded nuclear reactor chamber that captures
and contains the radiation even as it becomes very hot. To keep the chamber at a tol-
erable temperature, water must continually swirl around it. Steam is a by-product; and
under pressure it may be used to turn a turbine (propeller) that operates a generator that
produces electricity.
The United States is basically self-sufficient in uranium. Thus, proponents of nuclear
energy see it as an important and under-utilized alternative to fossil fuels, and a way
of diminishing our reliance on foreign sources of energy. The general public, however,
is deeply concerned about the safety of these facilities (due in good measure to the
Chernobyl disaster), so future construction is far from certain.
Two factors have historically guided the location of nuclear power plants: immediate ac-
cess to a reliable water supply and proximity to users. Continuous water input is needed
to guarantee continuous cooling of reactor chambers and with it continuous production
of steam. Facilities therefore have tended to be located in coastal environments or along
large rivers and lakes that have a history of not flooding. Proximity to users helps keep
down costs of delivery and also conserve the electricity that has been produced. Not sur-
prising, however, most people are reluctant to live close to one of these facilities. The
