Nuclear power debate 342 for coal, 85 for natural gas, and 8 for nuclear. Nuclear power plant accidents rank first in terms of their economic cost, accounting for 41 percent of all property damage attributed to energy accidents. The Chernobyl steam explosion was a nuclear accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine. A steam explosion and graphite fire released large quantities of radioactive contamination into the atmosphere, which spread over much of Western USSR and Europe. It is considered the worst nuclear power plant accident in history, and is one of only two classified as
Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant which ameliorates radiation damage and extends service life by between 15 and 30 years. This had been demonstrated on unit 1. On 27 June 1985 during startup of the first reactor unit, a human error (later attributed to inexperience and haste) unexpectedly opened a pressurizer relief valve, and 300 °C steam entered the staff work area. Fourteen people were killed. This event is cited as one of the predecessors of the Chernobyl disaster. Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant Balakovo nuclear power station ( []) is located in the city of Balakovo, Saratov Oblast, Russia, about 900 kilometers south-east of Moscow. It