How far away should you live from a nuclear power plant?

Currently, if a radiological emergency occurs, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission recommends that anyone living within 10 miles of a plant to tune in to their local radio or television Emergency Alert System and heed the instructions from state or local officials.

How far can radiation travel from a nuclear power plant explosion?

Detonating nuclear weapons above ground sends radioactive materials as high as 50 miles into the atmosphere. Large particles fall to the ground near the explosion-site, but lighter particles and gases travel into the upper atmosphere.

Does nuclear energy produce less radiation?

Nuclear power releases less radiation into the environment than any other major energy source. In the United States in 2016, nuclear power plants, which generated almost 20 percent of U.S. electricity, had an average capacity factor of 92.3 percent, meaning they operated at full power on 336 out of 365 days per year.

Does nuclear power releases dangerous amounts of radiation into the atmosphere?

Nuclear power plants constantly emit low levels of radiation into the environment. There is a differing of opinion among scientists over the effects caused by constant low levels of radiation. Various scientific studies have shown an increased rate of cancer among people who live near nuclear power plants.

Which state has the most nuclear power plants?

Illinois
Illinois, which has the most nuclear reactors (11) and the most nuclear generating capacity (11.6 gigawatts) among states, generated 54\% of its in-state generation from nuclear power in 2019.

What would happen if all the nuclear power plants explode?

If all the reactors in the USA melted down and say 1/3 exploded, the country would collapse completely into chaos. The economy would be destroyed. Martial law could be declared. People would flee the areas around the reactors, but there would be no where to go, and no way to get there for most people.

How bad is nuclear waste?

Although most of the time the waste is well sealed inside huge drums of steel and concrete, sometimes accidents can happen and leaks can occur. Nuclear waste can have drastically bad effects on life, causing cancerous growths, for instance, or causing genetic problems for many generations of animal and plants.

Which country generates the most of their electricity by using nuclear power?

France
Most are in Europe, North America, East Asia and South Asia. The United States is the largest producer of nuclear power, while France has the largest share of electricity generated by nuclear power, at about 70\%.