What are the pros and cons of nuclear energy?

• A. It is the cheapest energy source with no waste or safety concerns.
• B. It cannot provide baseload power and has no emissions.
• C. It uses fossil fuels with high carbon outputs.
• D. Provides large-scale low-carbon baseload power; cons include radioactive waste, accident risk, high capital costs, waste management, and public acceptance.

Answer: (D)

Nuclear energy stands out because it can deliver large amounts of electricity with very low greenhouse gas emissions during operation and a high capacity factor, meaning it can run continuously to meet baseload demand. That reliable, low-carbon power profile makes it a strong option for supplying electricity at a large scale. But there are significant downsides: radioactive waste from spent fuel that must be managed securely for thousands of years; the risk of serious accidents with far-reaching consequences, even if rare; high upfront capital costs and long construction times that complicate financing and project timelines; ongoing waste management and eventual decommissioning costs; and public acceptance challenges rooted in safety fears and environmental concerns. Overall, this choice best captures both the big positive impact on low-carbon, continuous power and the major trade-offs that come with nuclear energy.