nuclear-news

nvestment in nuclear power over efficiency and renewable energy endangers taxpayers, ratepayers & public health

12 statewide groups: Investment in nuclear power over efficiency and renewable energy endangers taxpayers, ratepayers & public health

 WISBUSINESS.COM 5/21/2009Contact: Pam Kleiss, Physicians for Social Responsibility WisconsinTel. 608/232-9945A coalition of twelve Wisconsin groups submitted a letter to the Governor and State Legislators today asserting that the substantive problems of long-term storage of radioactive waste and astronomically high lifecycle costs make expanded nuclear power inadvisable for Wisconsin’s energy future.In a letter to Governor Doyle and State Legislators, Physicians for Social Responsibility Wisconsin and eleven other organizations show that the liabilities of nuclear power make it a risky investment, both to the public health and the public pocket book.
The letter states, “Unlike renewable electricity sources, the by-products of nuclear electricity generation exist in the environment for hundreds of years and are highly toxic.” In Wisconsin alone, 1,365 metric tons of high-level nuclear waste will be stored at nuclear reactor sites by 2011, and 58,000 metric tons have already accumulated at sites throughout the US. Current EPA standards require that the environment and public be kept safe from exposure to stored radioactive waste for up to one million years.

The letter also shows that the lifecycle costs of nuclear power and means by which plants are funded shift the financial risk from the nuclear industry to ratepayers and taxpayers. From the failed multi-billion dollar taxpayer investment in Yucca Mountain to ratepayer surcharges funding on-site storage of radioactive waste – all these costs and more are borne by the ratepayer and taxpayer, not the nuclear industry. The fifty -year old nuclear power industry can not even claim lower cost per kilowatt of delivered electricity, with costs higher than traditional coal and gas fired plants, and higher than wind power. …………………The coalition asserts that conservation and efficiency in all sectors of the economy are better investments for Wisconsin’s energy futur

WisBusiness.com

May 22, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized