Answer:
Coal-fired power plants and nuclear power plants have their own advantages and disadvantages. Coal-fired power plants are generally considered safer than nuclear power plants because a coal power plant's failure is not likely to cause catastrophic events such as a nuclear meltdown would². Coal-fired power plants are also more reliable than nuclear power plants because coal's ability to supply power during peak power demand either as base power or as off-peak power is greatly valued as a power plant fuel³. Additionally, coal-fired power plants are more affordable, abundant, and have known technologies². However, coal-fired power plants produce more outward radiation exposure than a nuclear power plant would produce¹. The emissions are also linked to increased levels of asthma and lung cancer for local populations compared to other forms of energy¹.
On the other hand, nuclear power plants are cleaner and more efficient than coal-fired power plants because they do not produce greenhouse gases or air pollutants¹. Nuclear power plants also have a smaller footprint than coal-fired power plants and can produce more energy per unit of fuel¹. However, nuclear power plants are more expensive to build and maintain than coal-fired power plants². Nuclear power plants also pose a risk of nuclear accidents and the disposal of nuclear waste is a major environmental concern¹.
It is important to note that both coal-fired power plants and nuclear power plants have their own advantages and disadvantages. The decision to choose between the two depends on various factors such as cost, reliability, safety, environmental impact, and energy efficiency.