Columbia Generating System:

EWEB purchases 61.5% of their energy through the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The Columbia Generating System, a nuclear plant located in Southeast Washington, generated 10% of BPA's energy pool. The plant has the capacity to generate up to 1,157 MW of electricity. Almost 6% of the power consumed on the University of Oregon campus is generated this plant.

Benefits to the Region:

Nuclear power is extremely reliable. Unlike wind or solar power, it is not reliant upon weather conditions. Also, nuclear power is considered a "clean" form of energy generation because it does not emit hazardous gases into the atmosphere, such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, or nitrogen oxide.

The Down Side:

The primary fuel source for the Columbia Generating System is uranium. Nuclear fission produces a radio-active by-product of uranium dioxide. This is temporarily stored in a recently constructed Dry Cask Storage Installation until it can be transported to the national repository at Yucca Mountain. Yucca Mountain is located only about 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Unfortunately, Yucca Mountain may only prove to be a short-term answer to a long-term problem. Removing waste from Nuclear Power plants just opens up room for more production rather than providing incentives for higher-efficient production. Also, the transportation of the uranium dioxide may be subject to truck, train, or barge accidents, which would pose an immediate danger to the health of surrounding populations.