What are the Risks of Nuclear Power?

Naysayers will argue that risks of nuclear energy are too high for it to be a feasible alternative to fossil fuels. There is no doubt that there have been and still are risks associated with the production of nuclear power. In the past, nuclear power has had some noteworthy problems. In 1979, an accident occurred at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant in Pennsylvania. The Uranium reactor overheated, and there was a partial melt down of the reactor core. The damage was contained within the cement containment building that covers the nuclear reactor. No safety threat occurred to the public and the reactor was successfully shut down and put out of commission. The effect of the meltdown, however, brought about much public fear of nuclear energy which continues to this day.
In 1986, at Chernobyl, Ukraine a nuclear power plant core melted down completely and the poorly built containment building exploded releasing dangerous radioactive nuclear waste into the environment. Although the damaged building was eventually sealed in concrete, it is estimated that over ten thousand people in the Chernobyl area died.
Since nuclear power production produces radioactive waste, there is much concern regarding its safe disposal.
In this age of terrorism, many people are concerned that terrorists will gain access to a nuclear power plant and purposely initiate a meltdown or steal dangerous nuclear waste.