 We nuclear people have made a Faustian bargain with society . On the one hand we offer — in the catalytic nuclear burner ( i.e. , the breeder ) — an inexhaustible source of energy . Even in the short range , when we use ordinary reactors , we offer energy that is cheaper than energy from fossil fuel . Moreover , this source of energy when properly handled is almost nonpolluting . Whereas fossil @-@ fuel burners emit oxides of carbon , nitrogen , and sulfur ... there is no intrinsic reason why nuclear systems must emit any pollutant except heat and traces of radioactivity . 
