Question

select the correct answer.
which of the following statements would be made by someone arguing against new nuclear power plants?
a. nuclear energy is too expensive to use, so most consumers would not be able to afford it.
b. nuclear energy cannot be extracted and placed on the market as quickly as fossil fuels can be.
c. nuclear energy production produces a security risk, and many communities do not wish to have a plant nearby.
d. nuclear energy is no better for the environment than fossil fuels.

Explanation:

To determine the correct answer, we analyze each option:

• Option A: While nuclear energy has costs, the claim that most consumers can't afford it is not a primary argument against new plants (costs are more about infrastructure/operation, not direct consumer affordability in a way that's a core anti - nuclear argument).
• Option B: The speed of extraction and market placement is not a key argument against nuclear power plants. Nuclear power plants are not about "extracting" energy in the same way as fossil fuels, and this is not a major concern for opponents.
• Option C: Security risks (like the risk of accidents, terrorist threats to plants) and the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) phenomenon where communities don't want plants nearby are common arguments against new nuclear power plants. This is a valid concern for opponents.
• Option D: Scientifically, nuclear energy production (excluding accidents) produces far less greenhouse gas emissions and environmental harm than fossil fuels, so this statement is incorrect.

Answer:

C. Nuclear energy production produces a security risk, and many communities do not wish to have a plant nearby.