Pros and Cons for Nonrenewable Resources

• ⚛️➕ Nuclear energy positives

  • Provides a great amount of energy
  • Does not release greenhouse gases
  • Spent nuclear fuel can be recycled to make new fuel and byproducts

  
• ⚛️➖ Nuclear energy negatives

  • Can be hazardous
  • Nuclear waste is difficult to dispose of and store

  
• 🛢️➕ Fossil fuels positives

  • Easier to store and transport
  • Currently inexpensive
  • Reliable

  
• 🛢️➖ Fossil fuel negatives

  • Pollutes the environment (air, water, and land)
  • Release greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change
  • They will run out or will be too costly to extract
  • Can be dangerous (accidents)

  
• In 2021, natural gas accounted for 57% of Virginia's total electricity net generation, nuclear supplied 30%, renewables (mostly biomass and solar energy) provided 9%, and coal fueled less than 4%. (eia.gov)