A complete shutdown of all nuclear power plants in the US would result in thousands of deaths each year

The US has 92 operating nuclear power plants on its territory, which generate 20% of its electricity. Almost every reactor is more than 50 years old, so it is possible that they will soon have to be shut down. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) found that a complete shutdown of all nuclear power plants in the US would cause thousands of deaths each year. The study was supported in part by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Here's What We Know

If all U.S. nuclear power plants were to shut down completely, there would be only one way to make up for the sagging electricity production. That would be to use combined heat and power plants running on gas and coal.

Burning coal and gas will increase emissions and pollute the atmosphere. Scientists from MIT think that the number of deaths in the USA will increase by 5,200 people per year because of climate change. First of all, it concerns the eastern part of the country, where a large number of nuclear power plants are located. In addition, the climatic consequences of the additional carbon dioxide inflow could result in 160,000 deaths over the next century.

The US government is now working to increase the share of energy derived from renewable sources. If the goal is met by 2023, the complete shutdown of all nuclear power plants would not have as much of an impact. MIT calculates that the number of premature deaths would then be 260 per year.

Source: Science Daily