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It all began
The first small amount of sustainable nuclear energy was created by the Italian scientist Enrico Fermi. -
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Dates for Nuclear Energy
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Power Plant
The first working power plant EBR-1 (experimental breeder reactor 1) was built and produced electricity for a building within 1 day of working. -
Atomic Energy Act
US Congress Passes Atomic Energy Act of 1954 which states to “continue its weapons program, to promote the private use of atomic energy for peaceful applications, and to protect public health and safety from the hazards of commercial nuclear power." -
First Power Plant
The first large scale nuclear power plant began operating in Shippingport, Pennsylvania. -
Three Mile Island Accident
The reactor in Three Mile Island near Middletown in Pennsylvania had an accident. This accident caused radioactive gases and iodine to be released. -
The Nuclear Waste Policy Act
The Nuclear Waste Policy Act was passed which states that radioactive waste and used nuclear fuel has to be stored deep underground to be disposed of. -
Chernobyl
An accident occurred at unit 4 reactor in Chernobyl, causing massive amounts of radioactive material to be released. The released radioactive material caused a total of twenty-eight workers to die. -
Fukushima Dai-ichi
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami hit Japan’s northeastern coast causing hydrogen explosions, and six power plants at Fukushima Dai-ichi to reach the highest level. This caused them to release a lot of radioactive iodine into the ocean and radiation into the atmosphere. -
New Power Plants
The US NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) agree to build two new power plants in Georgia. -
Clean Air Act Standard
EPA announces clean air act standard stating that for new power plant that bun fossil fuels are to only release 1000 pounds of CO2 (Carbon) per megawatt-hour. -
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) wants to cut greenhouse gas emissions in nuclear power plants. -
Reducing Carbon
Thee EPA ( Environmental Protection Agency) sets its first rules to reduce carbon in the nuclear power plants. -
Limited
President Obama launches an initiative to have nuclear power plants cleaner and set limits to carbon dioxide.
