Proponents claim nuclear energy could save people in Bermuda money on their electric bills, while emitting no carbon pollution.

Opponents say it's way too risky for Bermuda given its operation requirements and track record.

Gert Claassen, from South Africa company Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (Pty) Limited (PBMR) will be speaking at a forum today at the BUEI starting at 2 p.m. on the advantages of going nuclear.

Environmentalists say that PBMR represents the "new generation" of nuclear, which uses smaller scale reactors at around 165 mega watts.

But to understand how nuclear technology works you have to weigh the pros and cons. According to web site idebate.org, the majority of the world's electricity is currently produced via fossil fuels.

The pros: Fossil fuels are finite resources that will eventually run out. Rising oil prices reflect both rapidly rising demand for energy across the globe and the limited supply of fossil fuels to meet this need.

Although estimates on how long fossil fuels will last are subject to debate, it is said that oil will be exhausted in 50 years and coal within 25 years. Therefore, proponents say it's necessary to find a new source of energy and convert to nuclear power.

The cons: Estimations on the longevity of fossil fuels have not been changed for the last few decades. Advocates for fossil fuel claim there remains vast amounts of untaped resources such as oil and coal.

Canada, surprisingly, yields one of the larges unexploited oil resources in the world. Also, some claim that natural gas, for example has a life span of 350 years.

They cite these statistics in believing the search for new energy sources like nuclear, is unnecessary, with the money being better spent to create new technology to clean the by-products of oil and fossil fuels.

In an a speech at the Hamilton Rotary Club last year, BELCO CEO Vince Ingham revealed the company was monitoring the possible solution of nuclear energy but conceded the company was more interested in underwater turbines.