Nuclear energy used to be a dream energy source because it did not emit air pollutants as long as they were operating properly. The US government and Utility Companies invested billions of dollars to build and develop nuclear power plants. However, its "magic" was collapsed on April 26, 1986. A series of explosions in a nuclear power plant in Chernobyl blew the massive roof off the reactor building and flung radioactive debris and dust high into the atmosphere to encircle the plant. Although the Chernobyl accident was thousands of miles away and did not cause direct damage to the US, we were able to experience the tragedy through the media. This accident took thousands of lives and contaminated the land, but it resulted in bringing the following positive effects in the US: people became aware of the risks involved with nuclear power, it led to public opposition, and the government and utility companies tried to find cleaner and safer alternative energy sources.

Through the media, people became aware of the risks involved with using nuclear power as an energy source. Before the accident, the majority of people were ignorant in regards to nuclear power,

Miller, George T, Jr. Environmental science: working with the earth. Belmont: Wadsworth, 1999.

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Approximate Word count = 801
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)