What the numbers say: As of May 2022, there were 439 nuclear reactors in operation in some 30 countries around the world. The U.S. had the largest number at 92 units, followed by France and China. Relevance: Germany's last three nuclear power stations will be shut down permanently by midnight on Saturday as part of a plan for fully-renewable electricity generation by 2035. Meanwhile, this week, an environmental group sued Pacific Gas and Electric Company to block it from seeking to extend the license for Diablo Canyon, the last nuclear power plant in California, after previously agreeing to close it by 2025. Effect on the environment: Nuclear power plants produce radioactive waste, which can be harmful to the environment if it is not disposed of properly. The Fukushima disaster showed that nuclear power plants could be vulnerable to natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis. |
