After the uranium extraction period and before the waste removal process, nuclear power production is viewed as a clean and sustainable method of generating zero-emission energy. As of December 2009 there are 436 nuclear reactors in production in 30 countries with another 53 under construction (World Nuclear Association, 2009). Those reactors comprise approximately 15% of the world's electricity. Although fewer reactors are being developed today, they are becoming more efficient and able to use less uranium while also producing less waste. In spite of the improvements, such projects are estimated to last 8 to 10 years in planning and construction as well as cost over $2 billion (Deisendorf, 2007; Cue, 2009).
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Materials necessary to construct nuclear reactor (Engebretson, 2010):
€¢ 66,000 tons of steel
€¢ 400,000 cubic yards of concrete
€¢ 44 miles of pipe
€¢ 300 miles of electric wiring
€¢ 130,000 electrical components
How Nuclear Power Works
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Despite the absence of greenhouse-gas-emissions in the operating phase, construction of the plants is an arduous process that requires large energy inputs, mainly fossil fuels. In comparison with another energy source, the entire nuclear process has an ecological footprint 1,000 times larger than that of wind (Jacobson, 2010). Proponents argue that nuclear energy is necessary to satisfy the world's growing demand, however it must first be determined whether nuclear production is sustainable, reliable and economical before the current global push is realized.