Which statement correctly identifies a concern associated with nuclear power?

• A. It has zero emissions during operation.
• B. It uses no water.
• C. It is always cheap to build.
• D. Waste, security, cost, and public acceptance are concerns.

Answer: (D)

When evaluating nuclear power, the focus is on the practical concerns that accompany its use, even though operating it emits very little greenhouse gases. The statement that best captures these realities is that waste, security, cost, and public acceptance are concerns. Radioactive waste requires safe, long-term disposal and ongoing monitoring for thousands of years, which is a major logistical and environmental challenge. Security concerns involve safeguarding against accidents, potential misuse, and the risk of proliferation, all of which shape how tightly nuclear programs are regulated and defended. The cost aspect is significant: high upfront capital, financing difficulties, long construction times, and eventual decommissioning add up to a financial hurdle that can limit deployment. Public acceptance matters because local communities, governments, and regulators weigh safety perceptions, siting issues, and the social license to operate, all of which influence whether nuclear plants are built or kept running. For context, historical accidents have heightened safety scrutiny, and the long-lived nature of nuclear waste means the problem persists long after a plant closes. The other statements mischaracterize the situation: zero emissions during operation describe a benefit, not a concern; nuclear plants do use substantial cooling water; and nuclear power is not inherently cheap to build, which contradicts common industry realities.