Nuclear 101
At Native Nuclear, we’re working to ensure Indigenous communities have the information and tools to shape their energy futures. We offer accessible, culturally relevant insights into how nuclear energy works, how it compares to other power sources, and what it means for Native lands and people.
Whether you're new to these topics or actively engaged in energy planning, we invite you to explore and reflect, because informed choices begin with shared understanding.
What is nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy is a type of energy that comes from the center of tiny particles called atoms. Inside each atom is a small core called the nucleus, which is made of particles called protons and neutrons. A huge amount of energy is stored in the nucleus.
We can release this energy in two ways:
Fission – when the nucleus splits into smaller pieces. This is how nuclear power plants make electricity today.
Fusion – when two small nuclei join together to make a bigger one. Scientists are still working on how to use fusion to make electricity.
Is nuclear energy safe?
Nuclear energy is widely regarded as safe due to multiple engineered safety systems, strict international regulations, and continuous improvements driven by lessons learned from past accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima. Modern reactors are designed with physical barriers (like steel-reinforced concrete containment buildings), automated shutdown mechanisms, and backup cooling systems to prevent overheating and radiation leaks.
Oversight from agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and national regulators ensures compliance with rigorous safety standards. While accidents can happen, they are extremely rare—and nuclear energy causes far fewer deaths and health impacts per unit of electricity produced, primarily because it emits no air pollution or greenhouse gases during operation.
Is nuclear energy cleaner than solar and wind?
Nuclear energy is one of the cleanest energy sources we have—it's even cleaner than solar and wind when it comes to carbon emissions. That’s because it produces electricity without releasing greenhouse gases while running, and over its entire lifetime (from building the plant to managing waste), it releases less carbon than most other energy sources.
While wind and solar are commonly regarded as clean during operation, manufacturing solar panels and wind turbines requires a mass amount of natural materials including rare earth metals, steel, and concrete. Moreover, these "green" systems are far less effective in terms of capacity factor; when operating at its maximum power output, nuclear is over 90% effective, whereas solar speaks at 24% and wind at 35%.
All three—nuclear, solar, and wind—are great for the environment, but nuclear power is especially good at making an abundance of energy with very little pollution and using much less land and natural resources than wind or solar.
What happens to nuclear waste?
Nuclear waste is carefully managed to keep people and the environment safe. After nuclear fuel is used in a reactor, it’s first cooled in deep water pools for several years, then stored in thick, sealed containers called dry casks.
Some countries recycle parts of the used fuel, but the most radioactive waste is eventually meant to be buried deep underground in special facilities called geological repositories. These sites are built to safely isolate the waste for thousands of years using layers of natural rock and man-made barriers.
Is nuclear power expensive?
Nuclear power is expensive to build but affordable to run. The biggest cost comes from constructing the plant, which can take many years and cost billions of dollars. Once it’s up and running, however, nuclear power is relatively cheap to operate, with low fuel and maintenance costs.
Compared to wind and solar, nuclear electricity is usually more expensive per unit because those renewables are cheaper to build. But nuclear has the advantage of producing steady, reliable power around the clock—making it valuable for a clean and stable energy mix, especially when paired with renewables.
What is the environmental footprint of nuclear power?
Nuclear energy has a very low environmental footprint when measured per unit of electricity produced: its lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions are just 6–12 g CO₂‑eq/kWh, far lower than fossil fuels and comparable to renewables. Moreover, the nuclear industry is the only energy sector required to completely contain all waste products, with strict regulations for long-term waste management.
While construction of a nuclear plant relies on significant materials and upfront energy (similar to many large-scale infrastructure projects), operational emissions are negligible. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, nuclear electricity generation's full life cycle emits 5.1-6.4 grams of greenhouse gases per kilowatt hour, which is more than 100 times lower than coal fired electricity and about half the average of wind and solar generation.
In the context of climate change and clean-air goals, nuclear power stands as a high-density, low-carbon energy source with environmental impacts that are modest compared to coal and gas.
Is living near a nuclear power plant safe?
Living near a nuclear power plant is considered very safe, largely because these facilities are among the most closely monitored and regulated in the world. Nuclear plants are required to constantly track radiation levels in the air, water, and surrounding environment, with strict safety standards enforced by national and international agencies. Regular inspections, real-time monitoring, and detailed safety reports help ensure any issues are caught early.
In addition, scientists have conducted decades of health studies on people living near nuclear plants. While a few studies suggest a very small increase in certain cancer risks, the overall evidence remains unclear, and no statistically significant pattern has been found. Thanks to this careful oversight and constant research, nuclear plants operate with strong protections for nearby communities.
What is spent nuclear fuel storage?
After use in a reactor, uranium fuel is removed and placed into spent fuel assemblies. These assemblies are grouped, sealed in spent-fuel canisters, and stored in robust dry storage casks with thick metal and concrete layers. These casks are designed to safely isolate radiation, manage heat, and protect the fuel for decades until a permanent disposal solution is available.
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