The Windy City and the Power of the Atom: A Totally Scientific Investigation (with ZERO Radiation!)
You might be thinking, "Chicago? City of Broad Shoulders, Deep Dish Pizzas, and...nuclear power plants?"
Well, buckle up, knowledge seekers, because we're about to embark on a thrilling journey (think Indiana Jones, but with less whips and fedoras) to uncover the truth about Chicago's nuclear situation. Spoiler alert: there aren't actually any nuclear power plants within the city limits itself. Chicago likes to keep things lit with a mix of natural gas and renewable sources.
But hold on to your Geiger counters, intrepid explorers! Because the plot thickens faster than a pot of Chicago's finest chili. See, Illinois, the state that Chicago calls home, is like the hidden champion of nuclear power. They boast a whopping six nuclear power stations scattered around the state, housing a total of 11 reactors! That's enough atomic energy to power a fleet of DeLorean time machines (if you could, you know, get your hands on plutonium).
So, why isn't Chicago itself nuclear-powered?
There are a few reasons, folks. Firstly, safety is a top priority. Nuclear plants come with a healthy dose of caution (think "don't put your hand on the hot stove"), and keeping them away from densely populated areas makes perfect sense. Secondly, those power plants are behemoths! They take up a lot of space, and Chicago already has a thing for skyscrapers. Imagine trying to squeeze a nuclear reactor in between a deep-dish pizzeria and a jazz club – not exactly a recipe for urban harmony.
But wait, there's more!
Fun fact: Illinois gets more bang for its nuclear buck than any other state in the US. Over half of the state's electricity comes from these nuclear powerhouses! So, even though Chicago isn't directly powered by the atom, it definitely benefits from the glow of its nuclear neighbors.
There you have it, folks! The answer to the burning question (pun intended?) is zero nuclear power plants in Chicago itself. But Illinois, the state with a heart of gold (and a surprising nuclear backbone), keeps the Windy City well-lit with the power of the atom (from a safe distance, of course).
